Thome One of Minnesota’s Top 50 Women Lawyers 2014

Employment lawyer Joni Thome has again been selected as one of Minnesota’s Top 50 Women Lawyers. The elite list of honorees represents an impressive group of lawyers from a variety of practice groups. The selection process consists of nominations and evaluations by peers, research by committee and a blue ribbon review process. Thome was also awarded this honor last year and has been named on the Top 100 Women Lawyers list since 2007. For years, her impressive work as an employment attorney has earned her recognition as a Super Lawyer. Amongst other distinctions, Thome was also honored with the Minnesota Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association’s Karla Wahl Dedicated Advocacy Award. 

In addition to representing employees over the last 22 years, Thome has also worked as an advocate for LGBT rights in Minnesota and on a national level.  Because of her successful career and long term commitment to  LGBT rights, Thome was asked to participate as a panelist for Minnesota Continuing Legal Education’s seminar Elimination of Bias: Pioneers in Law – Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Lawyers. The seminar took place on February 11th, 2014 at the MN CLE Conference Center. Thome spoke about her experiences working as an out lesbian in the legal profession in general over the last 22 years and spoke specifically about her roles and experience in legal advocacy for LGBT communities. Attorneys on the panel also spoke about the accomplishments of out lawyers in Minnesota, addressed challenges that still remain for LGBT persons in the legal world, and provided advice for pioneering lawyers of today and the future.