Trial advocate has represented nation’s largest companies in complex litigation; served as a co-chair of Baltimore Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s transition team
Baltimore, MD, (May 10, 2011) – Adding another prominent member to its litigation group, Venable LLP announced that experienced trial attorney Kenneth L. Thompson has joined the firm as a partner in the firm’s Baltimore office. He arrives from the Baltimore office of DLA Piper, where he was also a partner.
Mr. Thompson has an extensive trial background that spans commercial, product and white collar matters, both nationally and in Maryland. He is currently representing a developer in connection with a commercial litigation matter surrounding the development of State Center, a 28-acre mixed-use development in Baltimore.
Mr. Thompson has defended some of the nation’s largest companies, including automobile manufacturers, tobacco firms and petrochemical companies in complex litigation, including suits claiming workplace exposure. He has been particularly active in toxic tort and personal injury tort litigation. He has also handled both federal and state contract and ERISA matters.
Mr. Thompson has directed numerous white collar criminal cases and investigations, and has represented corporations and individuals in matters involving employee fraud, theft, bribery, political corruption and regulatory violations.
Mr. Thompson has also been heavily involved in public service. In 2010, he served as one of four co-chairs of Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s transition team, where he focused on economic development issues. In addition, he served multiple terms on the Judicial Nominating Commission for Baltimore City – serving as chairman from 1999 - 2007.
He currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at Good Samaritan Hospital, on the Board of Trustees at the Baltimore City Bar Foundation, on the Board of Directors of the Baltimore Efficiency and Economy Foundation, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Baltimore Municipal Golf Corporation. Mr. Thompson received the Daily Record’s Leadership in Law honor in 2007.
"Ken is a top-tier, versatile trial lawyer, with an impressive range in the type of matters he can handle, especially on behalf of clients facing serious reputational damage," said Venable partner Christopher Mellott, who heads the Baltimore Commercial Litigation Group. "He has shown he can direct large complex cases from start to finish, but he can also parachute into the middle of a high-stakes litigation matter unphased and come out with winning results. We are fortunate to have him join our trial advocacy practice. He has a strong reputation in national matters and a terrific public profile in Baltimore."
Mr. Thompson becomes the 11th Venable current partner who has been elected a fellow with the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL). He is also a fellow at the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has recently joined the faculty of the National Trial Academy.
"I’ve long known Venable as one of the country’s leading litigation firms, with a great respect for trial work and an outstanding track record in areas where I’ve practiced," Mr. Thompson said. "Having over ten ACTL fellows resident is a good indication of how much value Venable places on trial advocacy. The firm has equal strengths in complex civil matters as well as in representing individuals in criminal cases. This is simply a great place for the kind of litigation work I favor and I look forward to being an active member of the group."
Mr. Thompson received his J.D. from the University of Maryland Law School in 1976 and his B.A from the University of Maryland (College Park) in 1973.
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Note: An American Lawyer top 100 law firm, Venable LLP has attorneys practicing in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property and government affairs. Venable serves corporate, institutional, governmental, nonprofit and individual clients throughout the U.S. and around the world from its headquarters in Washington, DC and offices in California, Maryland, New York and Virginia.