Elizabeth A. Thompson

Elizabeth Thompson is a skilled litigator who represents a range of clients, including institutions of higher education, in complex commercial disputes and appellate matters. She handles such cases in state and federal courts throughout the country, as well as in administrative forums. Her appellate practice includes preparing appellate briefs and handling oral arguments, with her representations spanning from the Illinois Appellate and Supreme Court and the Florida Court of Appeals to the Seventh, Eighth, Eleventh and Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal. Elizabeth argues appeals in both federal and state courts. In the United States Supreme Court, Elizabeth was instrumental in drafting a pro bono amicus brief on behalf of several Jewish organizations. 

In her appellate practice, Elizabeth also helps clients preserve issues for potential appeals by monitoring trial court proceedings and drafting and arguing post-trial motions.  

[read-more]

In addition to her appellate practice, Elizabeth handles the defense of numerous class actions, including claims of antitrust violations, breach of contract, fraud, and consumer protection statute violations. Elizabeth has defeated class certification on numerous occasions, including obtaining affirmance of one such decision in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Elizabeth is well-versed in the challenges faced by class action defendants and has won court approval of class settlements favorable to class action defendants in several matters.

Elizabeth also represents colleges and universities in a wide variety of litigation and investigations. A sampling of her experience includes cases involving student injuries, alleged student and employee discrimination, class action claims for tuition reimbursement due to operational adjustments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and financial aid antitrust claims.

In addition to her litigation and appellate work, Elizabeth advises community associations on contractual and day-to-day operational issues, including reviewing construction contracts and bank loans for large-scale projects, assisting with loan closings, and providing guidance on the requirements for special assessments. She also drafts amendments to association governing documents.

Elizabeth applies her litigation skills to pro bono work, such as representing clients seeking asylum. In 2024, Elizabeth was part of the team that secured reversal of a trial court’s decision denying an innocent client’s petition to vacate his conviction based on evidence of police coercion. Elizabeth has also handled pro bono appeals on behalf of Section 1983 plaintiffs and is working with a family seeking asylum in the United States.