Sorensen Institute names Tom Walls executive director

Tom Walls, legal, legislative and political advocate, has been named Executive Director of the Thomas C. Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership, a University of Virginia program that trains Virginians in the skills of politics and public policy, and promotes ethics and civility in our public life.

The appointment was announced today by Ray LaMura, Chairman-elect of Sorensen’s Statewide Advisory Board and Chair of the Search Committee that chose Walls.

“We are very pleased that Tom Walls will be leading the Sorensen Institute at this important time,” LaMura said. “Tom received recommendations from both sides of the aisle as a person of character, ability and good will. The members of the Search Committee unanimously agreed that the Sorensen Institute will be well served with Tom Walls as its new executive director.”

Walls succeeds Bob Gibson as Executive Director. Gibson has been named senior researcher of the Academy for Civic Renewal and the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.

“The Sorensen Institute is a great organization. Its mission to train political leaders and foster ethics and civility in public life is more vital today than it has ever been” Walls said. “I’m honored to have this opportunity to join the Sorensen team as Executive Director, and eager to get started on this important work with partners across Virginia, and across the political spectrum.”

Walls holds two degrees from the University of Virginia. He is a 1987 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and earned a B.A. in English at UVA in 1982.

He has served as a senior staff member to three U.S. Senators, most recently as Chief Counsel to Senator Mark Warner.  He was a Partner at McGuireWoods LLP and Senior Vice President of Federal Public Affairs at McGuireWoods Consulting. Before joining Sorensen Walls held the position of Principal in the Public Policy and Regulation group at Dentons US LLP in Washington D.C.

Walls’ legislative, political, legal and academic experience is broad and varied. He has played key roles in campaigns at every level, the legislative arena, academia and as an attorney helping clients to navigate matters of policy and ethical compliance, and congressional investigations. His experience has informed his many years as an adjunct faculty member at the George Washington University Law School.

The Sorensen Institute was founded by Charlottesville businessmen Leigh Middleditch and Michael Bills as the Virginia Institute of Political Leadership in 1993. The organization took the name of generous benefactor Thomas C Sorensen in 1997.The Sorensen Institute’s programs are designed to help Virginians understand governance and government, ethics and campaign conduct, and the complexity of public policy issues. In addition to the flagship 10-month Political Leadership Program, the Sorensen Institute provides development opportunities through a Candidate Training Program, a High School Leadership Program, an Emerging Leaders Program and a regional program in Southern Virginia.