Kenneth L. Thompson

Partner
Kenneth Thompson

Ken Thompson is an experienced trial attorney who focuses his practice on civil, commercial, and product liability litigation. Ken is particularly well known in Maryland, where individuals and corporations rely on him to handle their cases with integrity and identify issues that can be resolved outside of court, while navigating a courtroom when necessary. His many years of trial experience position Ken to perform risk assessments for companies, including those made in connection with due diligence investigations.

For 20 years Ken served as counsel to two major automotive companies in product liability litigation related to claims of exposure to asbestos from the companies friction products. In the early years that effort included successfully ensuring that the cases remained out of the large spotlight that was shining on asbestos litigation in the Baltimore area at that time. Ken was also responsible for assisting in the development of discrete company defenses, which included understanding and distilling complex scientific and medical issues related to causation and state-of-the-art issues. Each of the cases Ken handled resulted in a favorable settlement with little public relations exposure.

An active member of the Baltimore community, Ken served as chair and co-chair of several transition committees for the last two Baltimore mayors and was appointed by the chief judge of the U.S. District Court of Maryland to serve as the Lead Monitor for the Baltimore City Police Department Consent Decree.

Experience

Government Experience

  • Co-chair, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Transition Team
  • Co-chair, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Transition Team
  • Chairman, Public Safety/Policies Committee, Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh Transition Team
  • Lead monitor, Baltimore Police Department Consent Decree

Insights

Credentials
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Education

  • J.D. University of Maryland School of Law 1976
  • B.A. University of Maryland 1973

Bar Admissions

  • Maryland
  • District of Columbia

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Fellow, American Board of Trial Advocates
  • Member, Board of Directors, Baltimore Efficiency and Economy Foundation
  • Chairman, Judicial Nominating Commission for Baltimore City, 1999 - 2007
  • Member, National Trial Academy

Recognition
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  • The American Lawyer, South Trailblazer, 2022
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2007 – 2008, 2011 – 2022, 2024
    • Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, 2020, 2022
    • Lawyer of the Year, 2017
  • Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star, 2020 – 2024
  • Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial, Maryland, 2023
  • Super Lawyers
    • Business Litigation, Baltimore, 2013
    • Maryland, 2007 – 2015, 2018, 2023
  • The Daily Record, Leadership in Law, Maryland, 2007 (Recognizing professional accomplishments and dedication to the legal profession and the community)

Community
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Volunteerism

  • Member, board of trustees, Baltimore Community Foundation