Kari Jensen Thomas has more than 16 years of legal recruitment and career development experience. At Leonard, Street and Deinard, Kari is primarily responsible for recruiting and developing attorneys and law students, managing the summer associate program and leading diversity and inclusion initiatives.

A 1995 cum laude graduate of William Mitchell College of Law, Kari is a licensed attorney in Minnesota and South Dakota. She received her undergraduate degree in government and international affairs and business administration from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD.

After graduating from law school, Kari clerked for a Hennepin County District Court judge, managed West Bar Review in seven states and was the Marketing and Operations Director for a local legal placement company. Prior to joining Leonard, Street and Deinard in 2004, Kari served as Associate Director of Career Services at William Mitchell College of Law.

In 2007-2008, Kari served as the President of Minnesota Women Lawyers (MWL) after serving on the Board of Directors for six years. She currently serves as a member of the MWL Advisory Board. Kari is a member of the National Association for Law Placement, serving as the 2010-2011 Midwest Regional Coordinator. She is also actively involved as a member of MN Legal Career Professionals and Minnesota State and Hennepin County Bar Associations. In 2003, Kari led the effort to create www.MNLegalDiversity.org as the Chair of the Web site committee of the Minnesota Minority Bar Summit.

In her spare time, Kari enjoys coaching her daughter’s basketball team and cheering on the Minnesota Golden Gopher basketball and football teams with her family.

Professional and Civic Activities

• Past President and Member, Minnesota Women Lawyers
• Member, National Association for Law Placement
• Member, Minnesota Legal Career Professionals
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
• Member, Ramsey County Bar Association
• Member, Hennepin County Bar Association

Education

• J.D., cum laude, William Mitchell College of Law, 1995
• B.A., Government, International Affairs and Business Administration, Augustana College, 1992

Admissions

• State of Minnesota
• State of South Dakota (inactive status)