Lizanne Thomas, Partner-in-Charge of the Southern Region of global law firm Jones Day and based in Atlanta, has been named to The National Association of Corporate Directors’ (NACD) 2016 Directorship 100 list, a distinguished honor that annually recognizes the most influential leaders in the boardroom and corporate governance community.

Ms. Thomas heads the Firm's global corporate governance team. While she continues her more than 30-year practice as an M&A lawyer, Ms. Thomas practices, teaches, and lives corporate governance. She participates in about 100 board meetings per year, representing boards and special committees in control and conflict transactions, as well as in internal investigations. Ms. Thomas is experienced in shareholder activism, public and private mergers and acquisitions, takeover preparedness, and executive compensation. She lectures and writes on governance for leading publications and business organizations.

Ms. Thomas serves on the board of three publicly traded companies: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc., Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc. and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. In the Atlanta civic community, Ms. Thomas serves as a Trustee of the Georgia Research Alliance, on the Board of Directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, as a Trustee of The Woodruff Arts Center, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Atlanta. She is a Trustee of her alma mater, Washington & Lee University.

As a recognized authority on leading boardroom practices, NACD aspires to a world where businesses are sustainable, profitable, and respected, and where stakeholders trust directors to develop strategies that create long-term value and provide effective oversight. This year’s honorees will be recognized during a gala dinner at the 10th Annual NACD Directorship 100 Gala on November 30 in New York City.

“NACD is honored to recognize the achievements and commitment to boardroom excellence exemplified by these exceptional individuals. Effective corporate directors and governance leaders are nothing short of essential to the success of the enterprise—from creating and sustaining long-term value to serving as a guiding light in times of disruption,” said NACD CEO Ken Daly. “The NACD Directorship 100 honorees set a standard for excellence that all directors should strive to meet.”

Jones Day is a global law firm with 44 offices in major centers of business and finance throughout the world. Its unique governance system fosters an unparalleled level of integration and contributes to its perennial ranking as among the best in the world in client service. Jones Day provides significant legal representation for almost half of the Fortune 500, Fortune Global 500, and FT Global 500. The Atlanta Office of Jones Day proudly traces its roots back to 1890. As part of a full-service office that has steadily grown to its present size of about 130 lawyers, Jones Day’s Atlanta attorneys advise clients on the full range of issues relevant to leading corporations doing business in the southeastern United States and worldwide.