The Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators
The Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators (WALA) was chartered on January 16, 1978. Each year, WALA distributes the Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators Award of Excellence, which honors a current or recent WALA member who had a significant impact on the association.
The WALA Award of Excellence is presented this year to
Sue Thome-John. Ms. Thome-John entered the legal industry in 2009. Seeking professional development resources, she joined the Association of Legal Administrators. She was elected to the Wisconsin Board of Directors in 2013 and went on to serve in various roles, including President, for ten years. After completing her term as President and Immediate Past President, she was elected to return to the Board of Directors and she continues to serve the association in this capacity.
Thome-John also serves on the Paralegal Advisory Committee at Milwaukee Area Technical College, and volunteers as a guest speaker and mock interviewer in the ABA Approved Paralegal Studies Programs at both the Milwaukee and Madison Area Technical Colleges. Thome-John is known for being fair and thoughtful in her duties and she is described as an essential member of the Board who rarely misses a WALA event.
Sue Thome-John began her legal career as Director of Administration and later Chief Administrative Officer for von Briesen & Roper in Milwaukee. She became firm Administrator for Lindner & Marsack in 2015. The following year, she was asked to join Wilson Elser, a large civil litigation defense firm with over 900 attorneys and 42 offices. She is the Office Administrator for the Milwaukee office, Director of the Paralegal Service Center, and National Director of Paralegal Services, overseeing 180 paralegals across the country.
