Derrick M. Thompson, Jr.

Derrick is a trial lawyer and a member of Taft’s Litigation and Intellectual Property practice groups. He is a member of the Federal Trial Bar and focuses on complex commercial disputes and related negotiations. Derrick has significant experience as lead trial counsel in a broad range of litigation including contract and licensing disputes; intellectual property disputes with a focus on trademark infringement and trade secret; trust actions; and sports and entertainment related disputes. Derrick also serves as Special Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago in civil cases. In addition to his litigation practice, Derrick provides strategic counsel to businesses and financial institutions facing complex legal issues and advises businesses on brand protection. Derrick’s clients include Fortune 500 companies, middle market companies, and national banks.

Recent Representations:

• Lead counsel for Fortune 50 company in disputes involving compliance with various municipal codes and regulations.
• Regularly represent national bank in contentious negotiation and related disputes involving credit facilities and agreements.
• Lead counsel for middle market company pursuing trademark, trade secret and cybersquatting claims against competitor.
• Represented major record label in Federal suit involving breach of contract related to music composition and license in artistic work.
• Regularly represent national music and comedy promoter in licensing and contract disputes and advise regarding trademark and brand management.
• Member of Taft team representing numerous companies including Fortune 500 companies in intellectual property matters involving trademark infringement and unfair competition.
• Served as lead trial counsel and successfully defended major media outlet in Class Action suit involving various contractual breaches and discrimination claims.
• Represented national pharmaceutical company in dispute involving distribution agreement and license issues.
• Lead counsel for London and Australia based companies in multi-forum litigation involving breach of commercial contracts and financial service agreements related to a $20MM claim.
• Represented over 100 direct lenders and bankruptcy receiver at trial in a case involving mortgages, security instruments, and various mechanics liens, the major issue being the release (or non-release) of $25 million lien. Resulted in trial court constructing mortgages and related contracts in favor of the direct lenders and judgment in favor of direct lenders at trial. Successfully defended appeal.
• Defending large school district in multiple lawsuits involving alleged negligence and other tortious conduct.
• Serving as Special Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago in multiple civil cases.
• Member of Taft team that defended the City of Chicago in a Class Action suit alleging due process violations and property deprivation.
• Represented beneficiaries in action against trustee for trustee’s failure to timely file tax returns resulting in over $2.5 million in penalties, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty of care and professional negligence. Matter resolved with trustee and its insurer consenting to million dollar settlement, trustee removal, and IRS rulings in favor of the beneficiaries.

• Panelist, “Keeping Pace: A Discussion on Minority Underrepresentation in the Legal Profession, the Challenges These Attorneys Face and the Work to be Done,” Race and the Law Symposium, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Feb. 2, 2023.
• Co-panelist, “A Candid Conversation,” Black Law Student Association, DePaul University, Feb. 16, 2022
• Guest Speaker, “Tulane Sports Law Society Speaker Event,” Tulane University, Jan. 26, 2022
• Guest Speaker, Diversity and Inclusion: A Social and Professional Responsibility Course at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, Sept. 2021