Adrian D. Thompson

Adrian counsels private sector clients on issues including equal employment opportunity litigation, wage-hour problems, employment of the disabled, federal housing, and other labor matters. Co-partner-in-charge of the Cleveland office, Adrian is also a member of the firm’s executive and participation committees and serves as Taft’s chief diversity officer. He helps drive the firm’s commitment and strategy regarding diversity and inclusion across our offices and the communities we serve.

Adrian represents school districts in contract negotiations, grievance arbitration, litigation, education of the disabled, and employment discrimination matters. He served as chief legal counsel for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District for eight years.

Speeches

Panelist, Cleveland Cavaliers ERG Summit, April 15, 2024.

Speaker, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association MyBarStory Podcast, Feb. 18, 2024.

Moderator, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Webinar, “Compromising Public Classrooms & The Great Resignation – Are Ohio Schools Next?” Sept. 6, 2022.

Co-presenter, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s 2022 New Lawyer Bootcamp, Feb. 28, 2022.

Panelist, Greater Cleveland Partnership Equity and Inclusion program, “DEI Assessments and Measurements that Promote Change,” Feb. 9, 2021.

Panelist, “Establishing an Inclusive and Inviting Environment: A Panel Discussion on Race and Racism in the Workplace and the American Legal System,” Taft Webinar, Aug. 20, 2020.

Panelist, Best Lawyers COVID-19 & Education Panel (here), April 29, 2020.

Publications

“Focusing Our Efforts On Tomorrow, Today,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (June 2023)

“The Fight to Rid the World of “Forever Chemicals” is Starting to Pay Off: A Conversation With Rob Bilott,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (May 2023)

“Gender Equality in the Profession: There’s Still Work to Be Done,” Bar Association President Column, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (April 2023).

“It’s Time For a Change,” Bar Association President Column, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (March 2023).

“Access to Justice, Work/Life Balance, and More: Tomorrow’s Bar Leaders Solving Today’s Problems,” Bar Association President Column, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (February 2023).

“Voters Across State Endorse New Bail Rules: Is It Time for Comprehensive Bail Reform?” Bar Association President Column, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (January 2023).

“The Ohio Mock Trial Competition is Back in Person, and Everybody Wins!” Bar Association President Column, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (December 2022).

“The CMBA Helps Northeast Ohio Vote,” Bar Association President Column, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (November 2022).

“Pro Bono at Your CMBA,” Bar Association President Column, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (October 2022).

“Honoring Our Past Leaders,” Bar Association President Column, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (September 2022).

“Focusing Our Efforts Together Towards Tomorrow,” Bar Association President Column, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (July/August 2022).

Quoted, Crain’s Cleveland Business article, “Step one: Measuring diversity is the start to an inclusive workplace,” March 13, 2021.

Quoted, Cincinnati Business Courier article, “Taft sets new high bar for boosting representation of women,” Jan. 22, 2021.

Author, “Office of Special Education Programs Explains Implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Taft Law Bulletin, July 7, 2020.

Co-author, “Department of Agriculture Issued Nationwide Waivers for Summer Nutrition Program,” Taft Law Bulletin, June 30, 2020.

Co-author, “Requirements and Considerations for Educational Institutions Serving Children with Special Needs Under IDEA, Rehabilitation Act and ADA,” Taft Law Bulletin, May 8, 2020.

Co-author, “House Bill 197 Provisions Regarding School Leadership Evaluations, Education Metrics and Distance Learning,” Taft Law Bulletin, April 28, 2020.

Co-author, “Department of Education’s DeVos Announces $3 Billion Relief Grant for Governors,” Taft Law Bulletin, March 28, 2020.