Thomas ’87 develops and helms leadership training program for upper level law students
September 10, 2015
Alumnus James D. Thomas ’87 will facilitate a leadership program for law students
on Friday, Sept. 11, and Saturday, Sept. 12, at The University of Toledo College of
Law. This “Leadership for Law Students” program is coordinated by the Office of Professional
Development and supported by the College of Law’s Barone Professional Development
Series.
Thomas created and will lead the program. He brings his vast leadership training experience to the task. In past years, Thomas has presented leadership programs for organizations that include Nationwide Insurance, JP Morgan Chase, and the Ohio Women’s Bar Association.
This initiative is geared specifically to law students.
“Leadership training allows new attorneys to distinguish themselves and add immediate value to an organization,” said Heather Karns, assistant dean for Law Career Services and Alumni Affairs. “Leadership skills can be a differentiator in the candidate pool.”
Law student participants were nominated. The program will cover topics that include conceptual leadership principles along with specific “hands-on” topics, and will use case studies for analysis and discussion. At the conclusion of the program participants will walk away with a written individual leadership plan that looks beyond law school.
Jim Thomas has more than 25 years of experience as a trial attorney and previously served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge and partner with Squire Patton Boggs, where he led the Global Litigation Group for many years. He is currently a partner at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP in Columbus, Ohio, and focuses his practice on a variety of litigation and other matters related to professional development and leadership. Thomas is the College of Law’s Outstanding Alumnus for 2015, and will be honored during Homecoming Festivities next month.
About the Barone Professional Development Series
The Barone Professional Development Series was established in 2009 by Jim Barone ’94 to support and highlight important issues of professionalism initiated by the Office of Professional Development. The Barone Professional Development Series has supported past programs on business etiquette and alternative careers, and brought national experts Ari Kaplan and Susan Gainen to the College of Law to speak to students.