James E. Thompson

Overview

Jim Thompson is an accomplished trial lawyer and strategic adviser who represents companies and executives in high-stakes litigation, internal investigations and regulatory matters. With significant first-chair experience in jury trials, bench trials and arbitrations, including two trials in the past two years, Jim is trusted to handle complex disputes where the financial, operational or reputational stakes are at their highest.

Jim focuses on securities litigation, trade secret disputes, and insurance coverage matters, drawing on more than 20 years of experience litigating cases with hundreds of millions—and, in some instances, billions—of dollars at issue. He also regularly leads matters involving the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Justice, and other regulatory bodies, advising clients from the earliest investigative stages through trial and appeal.

Known for treating each engagement as part of a broader client relationship, Jim invests the time to understand a client’s business objectives and long-term goals. He then designs legal strategies that align with those objectives. Jim’s thoughtful, hands-on approach, combined with his ability to build rapport with clients, colleagues and opposing counsel, consistently leads to efficient, creative and business-minded outcomes.

Jim’s experience includes representing companies and individuals across a variety of industries, including technology, financial services, energy, healthcare and manufacturing. Before joining Benesch, he practiced at a global Am Law 50 firm, where he was counsel in some of the nation’s most closely watched securities and trade secret cases.

Jim chairs Benesch’s Litigation Hiring Committee, mentors junior lawyers and is an active pro bono advocate for prison reform, among other things. One of his most rewarding moments has been securing the release of multiple inmates, including a man wrongfully incarcerated for more than four decades where Jim had to try the case twice in federal court.

*Matter completed prior to joining Benesch.