Norma

Driven by passion, experience and creativity, Norma Jackson leads the charge on Thompson Coburn’s attorney professional development and diversity efforts at all levels and among clients and our legal and business communities across the country.

Norma serves as a thought leader and resource, collaborating with practice leaders, committee chairs, and the Management Committee to drive talent development and diversity and inclusion strategies.

Norma supports internal affinity groups and leads work on the Total Commitment® Women’s Initiative program. She facilitates Thompson Coburn’s frequent partnerships and collaborations with diverse bar associations and law student associations. She also works to maintain the firm’s top-tier rankings for national workplace honors focused on women’s leadership, LGBTQ+ equality, and racial and ethnic diversity.

Drawing on her experience in human resources management, Norma plays a special role in the recruitment, retention and advancement of diverse attorneys and staff. Through her use of data, surveys, and in-person interviews, Norma is skilled at identifying areas of improvement and developing smart, practical diversity strategies. The goal of these strategies is to create welcoming work environments and lay the groundwork for the lasting success of professionals from underrepresented groups.

Before coming to Thompson Coburn, Norma served in a number of recruitment and diversity-focused positions at the University of Missouri In her time at Mizzou, where she also earned a law degree, Norma led cultural competency programs for faculty and professional staff, coordinated awards to recognize outstanding leaders in diversity and inclusion, and created the university’s first standalone diversity and inclusion center within a college on campus.