Craig Thompson represents clients in both federal and state courts in the areas of commercial litigation, product liability, premises liability and personal injury. As Chair of Venable's Diversity Committee, he leads the firm's inclusion and diversity initiatives.
Mr. Thompson is an experienced and assertive trial lawyer and legal counselor with over 15 years of experience handling civil cases before federal and state courts throughout Maryland. His analytical orientation and knowledge of technology, legal and business administration enable him to resolve numerous plaintiff cases by assessing liability and developing risk management strategies.
His professional motto -- "add value and provide solutions" -- has guided him throughout his career. Mr. Thompson is AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell. An AV® Peer Review Rating Certification is a significant rating accomplishment, which ranks a lawyer at the highest level of professional excellence.
Representative Clients
Mr. Thompson's clients range from Fortune 500 corporations to mezzanine-level companies. He has also built a thriving practice representing pharmacies in claims of alleged drug misfills. More specific examples of his work include:
· Argued the issue before a state court judge that secured summary judgment in favor of an industry association and three of the leading manufacturers of a product in suit challenging a Baltimore City ban on individual sales of the product.
· Second chair of a trial team that secured a defense verdict for a leading pharmaceutical company in a bellwether products liability case that was used to help determine how numerous other claims would be tried.
· Lead counsel and first chair in a successful jury trial on behalf of a leading American grocery store chain facing suit for an alleged pharmacy error.
· Member of the trial team for pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim in litigation involving its drug, Mirapex.
· Member of the trial team that negotiated a multi-billion dollar settlement for the State of Maryland, the largest in Maryland history.
· Member of the team that defended a major pharmaceutical company in national litigation over one of its products, identifying and developing expert witnesses.
· With Venable's Jim Archibald, handled a multi-defendant personal injury claim on behalf of a major paint manufacturer.
· Represented an international retailer in its defense against a commercial racial profiling claim.
· Serves in advisory roles for prominent state, local and national politicians.
Activities
Mr. Thompson serves as an adjunct professor and lecturer for an upper-level, pre-law course at the University of Maryland, College Park, and is an elected member of the University's board of trustees.
He has lectured at Georgetown University School of Law, Howard University School of Law, Penn State Dickinson School of Law, Penn State University, Washington and Lee School of Law and the College of William and Mary School of Law. He also was a featured keynote speaker at the Sylvania Woods Conference, American University Washington College of Law, 2005
In 2004 Mr. Thompson was appointed by the Superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education to a special three-person panel charged with probing the financial, administrative and managerial practices of the Baltimore City Public School System.
He has served on the board of directors of both the Hospice of Baltimore and the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum.
Mr. Thompson writes a monthly column for The Daily Record. He is also the author of a series of children's books on African-American history.
Industries
Education
Memberships
American Bar Association
Maryland Bar Association
Bar Association of Baltimore City
Monumental City Bar Association
International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
J. Dudley Digges Inn of Court
Maryland Defense Counsel
Defense Research Institute (DRI)
Fellow - Litigation Counsel of America (LCA)
News
April 30, 2012, Craig Thompson profiled in the Washington Post
March 28, 2012, Law360 features Venable appellate victory on behalf of Attransco
March 28, 2012, Law360 features Venable appellate victory on behalf of Attransco
January 6, 2012, Craig Thompson quoted in the Baltimore Sun on federal lawsuit alleging segregation at Maryland universities
December 15, 2011, Maryland edition of Super Lawyers 2012 honors 38 Venable attorneys
September 30, 2011, Venable Partner Craig Thompson Joins Baltimore City Community College Board of Trustees
September 28, 2011, Venable honored with DRI's Law Firm Diversity Award for 2011
August 22, 2011, Craig Thompson elected to board of University of Maryland Children's Hospital
December 30, 2010, Maryland edition of Super Lawyers 2011 honors 37 Venable attorneys
November 5, 2010, Craig Thompson listed among distinguished University of Maryland alumni
January 6, 2010, Maryland edition of Super Lawyers 2010 honors 38 Venable attorneys
September 30, 2009, Craig Thompson published in The Daily Record on the true risk of under-educated youth
April 21, 2009, Craig Thompson named to The Daily Record's 2009 list of Influential Marylanders
November 10, 2008, Craig Thompson interviewed by the Baltimore Business Journal
October 14, 2008, Craig Thompson Named Chairman of Diversity Committee at Venable
March 20, 2006, Venable LLP Partner Craig Thompson Receives University of Maryland School of Law, Black Law Student Association's Alumnus of the Year Award
Honors
AV® Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Selected for inclusion in Maryland Super Lawyers 2010 - 2012
Listed in Who's Who in Black Baltimore 2010
"Influential Marylanders," The Daily Record, 2009
"Business Advocate of the Year," Black CEO Summit, 2007
"Alumnus of the Year," University of Maryland School of Law BLSA, 2006
"Leadership in Law," The Daily Record, 2005
"Outstanding Young Alumnus," University of Maryland, 2001
Twice listed by the Baltimore Business Journal as one of Baltimore's "40 Under 40," June 2001 and September 1999
"Practitioner of the Year," University of Maryland School of Law, 2000
"Emerging Leader," Monumental City Bar Association, 2000
Leadership Program graduate, sponsored by the Greater Baltimore Committee, 1996
"Craig Anthony Thompson Day," decreed by Former Baltimore Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke, May 23, 1992
Publications
March 29, 2012, Trayvon Tragedy Offers Opportunity for Change
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
March 1, 2012, Youth Violence - The Elephant in the Room
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
October 27, 2011, UMB-UMCP Merger - To What are We Saying No?
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
September 22, 2011, Death Penalty Debate
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
May 26, 2011, Stories Have the Power to Change Lives
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
April 28, 2011, Schaefer's Example Inspires and Informs
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
March 24, 2011, Baltimore Deserves a Clean Fight
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
February 24, 2011, Honoring the Life of Rev. Harvey Johnson
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
January 27, 2011, Treating Sick Children is Serious Business
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
December 23, 2010, Communicating Unintended Consequences
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
October 14, 2010, What is the Real Truth to Learn from Our Elections?
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
August 26, 2010, City's Problems Demand Collective Solutions
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
June 24, 2010, 'Trial by Media' Imperils Justice
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
May 27, 2010, Walking in the Footsteps of Giants
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
March 25, 2010, What Happens When We Believe
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
February 25, 2010, Looking Back to Move Forward
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
January 28, 2010, Giving is as Giving Does
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
September 2, 2009, Serving Our Youth and Saving Our Streets
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
August 2009, The ABCs of Black Inventors: A Children's Guide
Craig A. Thompson
Beckham Publications
June 26, 2009, Corporate Board Diversity in the Age of Obama
Craig A. Thompson
The Daily Record
January 2008, Preemption Cases in the U.S. Supreme Court: An Analysis of Riegel v. Medtronic
Craig A. Thompson
IADC Drug, Device and Biotech Newsletter
August 2006, Corporate Board Diversity Leads to Corporate Success
Craig A. Thompson
Washington SmartCEO Magazine
2004, The ABCs of Black History
Craig A. Thompson
Beckham Publications
Events/Speaking Engagements
Through his company, Thompson Communications, LLC, an education and media-consulting firm, Mr. Thompson travels the country presenting lectures and workshops on leadership, diversity, and professional and personal development.
A former television talk show host, he currently hosts an award-winning interactive radio program that covers local and national issues.
He appears frequently on local broadcast media to discuss legal, educational and social topics.
Past Events
April 19, 2012, "Trial tactics in a Diverse World" at the ABA Section of Litigation Annual CLE Conference
Craig A. Thompson
October 7, 2011, "Reaching New Heights - Understanding the Practice of Law in the New World of 2012" at the 2011 NMDLA Conference
Craig A. Thompson
May 5, 2011 - May 6, 2011, Best Practices for Jury Research: How to Know You're Getting the Most for Your Money" for Defense Research Institute's (DRI) Drug and Medical Device Committee
Craig A. Thompson
April 28, 2011, University of Maryland's Inauguration of New President, Dr. Wallace Loh
Craig A. Thompson
December 18, 2010, Winter Commencement Address, University of Maryland
Craig A. Thompson
February 23, 2008, 33rd Annual BLSA Awards Banquet
Craig A. Thompson
January 18, 2008, Second Annual Delaware-Maryland-District of Columbia Division Certification Conference
Craig A. Thompson
October 14, 2007, Craig Thompson Receives Community Service Award
Craig A. Thompson
February 28, 2007, 2007 President's Distinguished African American Lecture Series
Craig A. Thompson
June 7, 2006, Quarterly Women's Networking Event
Craig A. Thompson
(Also at Baltimore, Maryland Office)