David H. Thompson

David H. Thompson is an American trial attorney and the managing partner of the law firm Cooper & Kirk, PLLC, a litigation boutique.[1][2][3]

Recent photo of David Thompson

Thompson has litigated numerous high-profile cases, including civil litigation on behalf of the Duke lacrosse players,[4] challenges to a wide variety of gun control laws around the country,[5][6] civil rights claims, First Amendment challenges,[7] and separation of powers issues. Beyond constitutional law, he has also secured several large trial verdicts in commercial disputes, including a $205 million trial verdict in AmBase Corporation v. United States.[8] [9] This case was hailed as a "remarkable victory" for the "AmBase legal team, led by David H Thompson."[10] He frequently advises government whistleblowers in qui tam matters.[11] In 2020, he cooperated with the State of Arizona to bring a lawsuit against Google, “alleging the tech giant uses deceptive and unfair practices to get users’ location data and fuel its massive advertising business.” [12][13] Thompson has been described as "highly skilled in managing protracted and complex litigation with [a] demonstrated track-record."[14]

On December 9, 2020, Thompson presented his first oral argument at the United States Supreme Court in Collins v. Mnunchin. [15] The issues in that case concerned separation of powers and consequences when government actors exceed their constitutional authority.[16] This case was an appeal from a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in which Thompson and his clients "notched a win in their years long challenge to the U.S. sweep of nearly all of the mortgage-finance giants’ profits, a victory in their fight for gains from the companies’ return to profitability."[17]

Thompson testified before the House Judiciary Committee concerning the government's conduct in the Operation Choke Point Scandal.[18] He also represented former Attorney General John Ashcroft in connection with his testimony on the DOJ’s so called “torture memos” before the House Judiciary Committee.[19]

In the 2020 election cycle, Thompson was involved in litigation aimed at ensuring ballot integrity and preventing voter fraud. [20] He represented Republican legislative leaders in defending North Carolina's voter ID law. [21] He represented the North Carolina General Assembly in Moore v. Harper at the Supreme Court in 2022, advocating for the Independent state legislature theory.[22]

Thompson has also served as a visiting professor at both Georgetown University Law Center and at University of Georgia Law School.[23] At both institutions, he has taught classes on how to litigate high-profile cases.

Thompson was awarded an AB degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard University in 1991, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 1994, Thompson received a JD degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School.[24]