Kari Jensen Thomas
Senior Manager of Business Development Training & Alumni Engagement
Overview
Kari Jensen Thomas leads the firm’s business development training programs, provides individual coaching, and fosters connections between Faegre Drinker and its alumni. She develops and executes the business development curriculum for lawyers and consultants and creates opportunities for colleagues who have moved on from Faegre Drinker to reconnect with the firm and benefit from its legal capabilities and community connections. Kari directs communication initiatives and events to keep alumni in touch and updated on important firm information.
Before joining Faegre Drinker, Kari led firm-wide attorney and law student talent acquisition strategies, internal and external diversity and inclusion initiatives, and professional development programming and coaching at another large Minneapolis law firm.
Credentials
Education
William Mitchell College of Law
J.D. cum laude (1995)
Augustana College
B.A. in Government/International Affairs and Business Administration (1991)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
Other Perspectives
- Collaborate! Elevating Lawyer Training Through a PD & BD Partnership
NALP Professional Development Institute, December 2021 - Revitalizing Your Alumni Relations Program Is as Easy as P.I.E.
NALP Bulletin, April 2017 - Tailor-Made Mentoring: Two Law Firms’ Perspectives on Implementing, Refocusing and Sustaining Formal Programs
NALP Annual Education Conference, April 2014 - Bringing the Benefit of Corporate Project Management Tools Into the Law Firm Setting
NALP Annual Education Conference, 2008 - Women Lawyers, Women Leaders: 21st Century Strategies for Recruiting, Retaining and Advancing Women
NALP Annual Education Conference, 2008 - Developing Innovative Ways for Legal Employers and Law School Students to Connect
NALP Annual Education Conference, 2006 - The Road to Law Firm Partnership Today…Not Harder or Easier, Just Different
Co-author, ABA The Young Lawyer
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- Minnesota Women Lawyers — Advisory Board, 2006-present (Past President, 2008-present; President, 2007-08; President-Elect, 2006-07; Secretary, 2005-06); Board Member, 2001-05
- National Association for Law Placement, 2000-present — Midwest Regional Coordinator, 2010-11; Marketing Task Force, 2001-03
Civic Activities
- Tubman — Harriet's Closet Volunteer, 2021-present
- FaegreBD United Way Campaign — Minneapolis Campaign Co-Chair, 2017-19
- Woodbury Athletic Association — Girls Basketball Coach, 2009-14