By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Alex Thibodeau showed an aptitude for the legal field at a young age.
“As a kid I had a strong sense of playground justice, making sure resources were shared, bullies were put in their place, and everyone is included,” he says. “As an attorney, that sense of justice has turned into advocacy. I work to help my clients answer complex questions or achieve their goals—and I still love to keep a bully in check.”
Now a litigator at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP in Grand Rapids, Thibodeau recently was elected president of the Floyd Skinner Bar Association (FSBA), founded in 1984 by Black attorneys, and the first and only Black Bar Association in Grand Rapids/Kent County.
FSBA partners with the Grand Rapids Bar Association to offer a Minority Clerkship Program; and an annual scholarship program, hosting a reception celebrating the achievements of Black law students.
“As president, my first goal is to maximize membership and significantly increase engagement both within and outside of our flagship programs,” Thibodeau says. “I also hope to expand the clerkship program and create regular opportunities for connection and community.
“We have a robust legal community in West Michigan, but too often, Black professionals don’t feel connected or supported. My hope is the FSBA will be that community for anyone considering West Michigan as the place to start their legal career.”
Thibodeau also encourages Black legal professionals to join the Grand Rapids Bar Association, where he serves as a trustee.
Storytelling & Litigation from Michigan to India
After earning his bachelor’s degree in political science and associate’s degree in journalism from DePaul University, one of his first jobs was a public radio journalist in Chicago. That background has been an advantage in his litigation career, where his practice spans construction, real estate, insurance, commercial disputes, and emerging technologies.
“So much of litigation is storytelling,” he explains. “In litigation, we present facts to convince a judge or jury that our issue is one they should resolve, and that the law, justice, or logic—and hopefully all three—requires they resolve it in favor of our client. Similarly, journalists present facts to convince a reader or listener that something is newsworthy, important, or interesting. The ability to craft a cohesive narrative across a set of facts is crucial in both roles. It’s all about crafting your ‘why.’”
Thibodeau earned his JD from Indiana University, Maurer School of Law where he was president of the Student Bar Association, notes editor for the Indiana Journal of Law and Social Equality and served on the editorial board for the Indiana Journal of Constitutional Design. He was a summer clerk for Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr.; and an international fellow for the Supreme Court of India through the Stewart International Fellowship.
Growing a Legal Career
After returning to the U.S, Thibodeau practiced general litigation at three large West Michigan law firms. He was asked to serve as Director of Gubernatorial Appointments for Governor Whitmer, advising on her selections for more than 2,300 leadership roles across all state departments, including all levels of the state judiciary.
Thibodeau joined Warner as an associate last October, and is a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group.
“Warner is a place that lives its values,” he says. “I’ve long admired Warner attorneys for the way they show up across our communities as industry thought-leaders, philanthropists, and trusted legal experts. There is clear alignment between what the firm supports and my personal values. My colleagues at Warner are some of the most brilliant, hardworking, and dedicated people I’ve ever met, and I’m honored to be a part of this firm.”
Thibodeau was also drawn to the firm’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“We need diverse perspectives to be well-rounded people,” he explains. “We support equity because we believe in opportunity. We are inclusive because we are stronger together. DEI isn’t political—it’s basic dignity, decency, and respect. It isn’t a corporate catchphrase, it’s a long-term strategy to show customers, clients and employees that you care about doing the right thing.”
Outside of the Office
Thibodeau and his wife, Brittany, reside in the historic South Heritage Hill district of Grand Rapids. In his leisure time, he enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and travel.
Thibodeau serves as an officer on the board of the Grand Rapids Art Museum as well as on the GRAM corporate partnership committee.
About
Within the GRBA, Thibodeau serves as chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee; and also hosts a monthly roundtable for The Grand Rapids Lawyer focused around inclusivity; and was a facilitator for the session, “United for Progress: Building a Thriving Black Legal Community in West Michigan,” at the inaugural West Michigan Black Legal Summit last September.
He also is a member of the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Advisory Council, where he previously led the Pro Bono Committee and currently serves as a judicial liaison; and he was a panelist on “Working with the Big Bar” and “Effective Governance for New Lawyer Entities” for the American Bar Association Bar Leadership Institute in March 2023.
Legal News
Alex Thibodeau showed an aptitude for the legal field at a young age.
“As a kid I had a strong sense of playground justice, making sure resources were shared, bullies were put in their place, and everyone is included,” he says. “As an attorney, that sense of justice has turned into advocacy. I work to help my clients answer complex questions or achieve their goals—and I still love to keep a bully in check.”
Now a litigator at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP in Grand Rapids, Thibodeau recently was elected president of the Floyd Skinner Bar Association (FSBA), founded in 1984 by Black attorneys, and the first and only Black Bar Association in Grand Rapids/Kent County.
FSBA partners with the Grand Rapids Bar Association to offer a Minority Clerkship Program; and an annual scholarship program, hosting a reception celebrating the achievements of Black law students.
“As president, my first goal is to maximize membership and significantly increase engagement both within and outside of our flagship programs,” Thibodeau says. “I also hope to expand the clerkship program and create regular opportunities for connection and community.
“We have a robust legal community in West Michigan, but too often, Black professionals don’t feel connected or supported. My hope is the FSBA will be that community for anyone considering West Michigan as the place to start their legal career.”
Thibodeau also encourages Black legal professionals to join the Grand Rapids Bar Association, where he serves as a trustee.
Storytelling & Litigation from Michigan to India
After earning his bachelor’s degree in political science and associate’s degree in journalism from DePaul University, one of his first jobs was a public radio journalist in Chicago. That background has been an advantage in his litigation career, where his practice spans construction, real estate, insurance, commercial disputes, and emerging technologies.
“So much of litigation is storytelling,” he explains. “In litigation, we present facts to convince a judge or jury that our issue is one they should resolve, and that the law, justice, or logic—and hopefully all three—requires they resolve it in favor of our client. Similarly, journalists present facts to convince a reader or listener that something is newsworthy, important, or interesting. The ability to craft a cohesive narrative across a set of facts is crucial in both roles. It’s all about crafting your ‘why.’”
Thibodeau earned his JD from Indiana University, Maurer School of Law where he was president of the Student Bar Association, notes editor for the Indiana Journal of Law and Social Equality and served on the editorial board for the Indiana Journal of Constitutional Design. He was a summer clerk for Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr.; and an international fellow for the Supreme Court of India through the Stewart International Fellowship.
Growing a Legal Career
After returning to the U.S, Thibodeau practiced general litigation at three large West Michigan law firms. He was asked to serve as Director of Gubernatorial Appointments for Governor Whitmer, advising on her selections for more than 2,300 leadership roles across all state departments, including all levels of the state judiciary.
Thibodeau joined Warner as an associate last October, and is a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group.
“Warner is a place that lives its values,” he says. “I’ve long admired Warner attorneys for the way they show up across our communities as industry thought-leaders, philanthropists, and trusted legal experts. There is clear alignment between what the firm supports and my personal values. My colleagues at Warner are some of the most brilliant, hardworking, and dedicated people I’ve ever met, and I’m honored to be a part of this firm.”
Thibodeau was also drawn to the firm’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“We need diverse perspectives to be well-rounded people,” he explains. “We support equity because we believe in opportunity. We are inclusive because we are stronger together. DEI isn’t political—it’s basic dignity, decency, and respect. It isn’t a corporate catchphrase, it’s a long-term strategy to show customers, clients and employees that you care about doing the right thing.”
Outside of the Office
Thibodeau and his wife, Brittany, reside in the historic South Heritage Hill district of Grand Rapids. In his leisure time, he enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and travel.
Thibodeau serves as an officer on the board of the Grand Rapids Art Museum as well as on the GRAM corporate partnership committee.
About
Within the GRBA, Thibodeau serves as chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee; and also hosts a monthly roundtable for The Grand Rapids Lawyer focused around inclusivity; and was a facilitator for the session, “United for Progress: Building a Thriving Black Legal Community in West Michigan,” at the inaugural West Michigan Black Legal Summit last September.
He also is a member of the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Advisory Council, where he previously led the Pro Bono Committee and currently serves as a judicial liaison; and he was a panelist on “Working with the Big Bar” and “Effective Governance for New Lawyer Entities” for the American Bar Association Bar Leadership Institute in March 2023.
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