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. FSBA partners with the Grand Rapids Bar Association to offer a Minority Clerkship Program, and offers an annual scholarship program.
“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 wasn’t always interested in the law. After earning his bachelor’s degree in political science and an associate’s degree in journalism from DePaul University, Thibodeau landed one of his first jobs as a public radio journalist in Chicago.
That background has been a huge advantage in Thibodeau’s 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 went on to earn his juris doctor 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 also received a peer-selected award for being the most significant contributor to student life. He was a summer clerk for Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr.; and was an international fellow for the Supreme Court of India through the Stewart International Fellowship.
“Each of my professional experiences has helped to shape the person I am today,” he says. “Professional growth happens best amidst a variety of perspectives. In both circumstances, I had an opportunity to witness decision-making at the highest levels and participate in robust conversations around issues of jurisprudential significance. I left both positions with a better understanding of the judicial process and a more nuanced perception of the legal framework we operate within.”
After returning to the U.S, Thibodeau practiced general litigation at three large West Michigan law firms, briefly crossing into data privacy, cybersecurity, mobility, municipal and regulatory matters. He was asked to serve as Director of Gubernatorial Appointments for Governor Gretchen Whitmer, advising on her selections for more than 2,300 leadership roles across all state departments, including all levels of the state judiciary.
“It was an incredible privilege to meet exceptional Michiganders doing life-changing work, while also correcting historical gender and racial disparities among state level appointees,” he says. “My work helped to make Michigan’s government more accurately reflect our citizens. Governor Whitmer is a visionary leader. We’re lucky to have her in Michigan, and I’m enthusiastic about the impact she’ll continue to make on the lives of real people.”
Thibodeau joined Warner as an associate in October 2024. As a member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group, he provides strategy and tactical guidance to clients navigating high-stakes disputes.
“Warner is a place that lives its values,” he adds. “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 drawn to Warner because of its 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.”
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. FSBA partners with the Grand Rapids Bar Association to offer a Minority Clerkship Program, and offers an annual scholarship program.
“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 wasn’t always interested in the law. After earning his bachelor’s degree in political science and an associate’s degree in journalism from DePaul University, Thibodeau landed one of his first jobs as a public radio journalist in Chicago.
That background has been a huge advantage in Thibodeau’s 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 went on to earn his juris doctor 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 also received a peer-selected award for being the most significant contributor to student life. He was a summer clerk for Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr.; and was an international fellow for the Supreme Court of India through the Stewart International Fellowship.
“Each of my professional experiences has helped to shape the person I am today,” he says. “Professional growth happens best amidst a variety of perspectives. In both circumstances, I had an opportunity to witness decision-making at the highest levels and participate in robust conversations around issues of jurisprudential significance. I left both positions with a better understanding of the judicial process and a more nuanced perception of the legal framework we operate within.”
After returning to the U.S, Thibodeau practiced general litigation at three large West Michigan law firms, briefly crossing into data privacy, cybersecurity, mobility, municipal and regulatory matters. He was asked to serve as Director of Gubernatorial Appointments for Governor Gretchen Whitmer, advising on her selections for more than 2,300 leadership roles across all state departments, including all levels of the state judiciary.
“It was an incredible privilege to meet exceptional Michiganders doing life-changing work, while also correcting historical gender and racial disparities among state level appointees,” he says. “My work helped to make Michigan’s government more accurately reflect our citizens. Governor Whitmer is a visionary leader. We’re lucky to have her in Michigan, and I’m enthusiastic about the impact she’ll continue to make on the lives of real people.”
Thibodeau joined Warner as an associate in October 2024. As a member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group, he provides strategy and tactical guidance to clients navigating high-stakes disputes.
“Warner is a place that lives its values,” he adds. “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 drawn to Warner because of its 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.”
Warner attorney Alex Thibodeau made friends with this elephant when he was an international fellow for the Supreme Court of India through the Stewart International Fellowship.
(Photo courtesy of Alex Thibodeau)
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
