An autographed photo of Muhammad Ali hangs in Adrian Thompson's corner office at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. "When I was a kid, he was my idol," says Thompson, a partner at the Cleveland law firm. "As an African-American male, he was not afraid to stand up for his principles. And that's what I try to do."
Growing up in the small town of Willard, Thompson had a role model closer to home, too. "I was pushed by my father," he says. Thompson's dad attended school only through the eighth grade, then spent 40 years as a turntable operator on Willard's railroad lines. But he encouraged all of his seven children to go to college.
The oldest in his family, Thompson went to Bowling Green State University with plans to become a social worker. "I always had an interest in the law," he says. "But as a kid, I didn't have the confidence that I could become a lawyer. It didn't seem possible." By his sophomore year, Thompson decided to pursue law. "I met a couple of professors there who were lawyers that took an interest in me," he says.
Thompson graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1986. He spent two years as an attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, then went into private practice for 18 months. During this time, Thompson pursued a niche that he continues to serve today — the education sector.
In 1989, he joined a team representing the Cleveland Metropolitan School District in a desegregation case that started in the early 1970s. It marked a turning point in his career.
"There were so many well-respected attorneys in town that worked on that case [for the prosecution and defense]," says Thompson. "And if you're around good lawyers, you learn. They push you."
His work on the desegregation case landed Thompson the role of director of labor relations for the school district. Just 18 months later, in 1998, Thompson was named chief legal counsel of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. His primary role was working with the employee unions and handling day-to-day labor operations in a district with approximately 12,000 employees and more than 100 schools.
In 2006, Thompson joined Taft as a partner. "It's the best business decision I've made in my life," he says. "Taft has embraced me as a vital part of the firm."
He continues to work as a litigator in labor and employment law, attributing much of this choice to his father.
"He was a union steward for the laborers when I was a kid," says Thompson. "I would sit at the table and listen to the guys discuss grievances and life issues. That influenced me a lot."
Last year, Thompson handled a case for a school district involving a troubled security guard who was a high-ranking union official. The arbitration lasted two weeks, and Thompson examined nearly 30 witnesses. "Ultimately, we won the decision," he says. "We were able to enhance the educational environment by ridding that school district of a problem employee.
"I am a fighter. I always had a chip on my shoulder growing up. That's a part of blue-collar folks," he says. "And as a litigator, you fight respectful fights."
Today, he's broadening his experience: This year, Thompson was appointed to the Task Force on Commercial Dockets by Chief Justice Thomas Moyer of the Supreme Court of Ohio. "Its goal is to make sure businesses remain in Ohio through creation of a common set of laws for suits between businesses," he says.
Whether he's facing off in court or teaming with attorneys and judges to improve Ohio's business law, Thompson believes the key to being a good lawyer is preparation. "You may not be the smartest guy at the table or the most articulate," he says. "But if you're prepared, then you'll be fine."
He certainly is a fine fit for Taft, says Stephen M. O'Bryan, partner-in-charge of the Cleveland office. "Adrian is an outstanding labor lawyer, who is well respected and has deep roots in the community," says O'Bryan, who met Thompson more than a decade ago when Taft represented the Ohio Board of Education in the Cleveland schools desegregation case.
Thompson has come a long way from Willard. But the father of four, who in November married Tracy Martin, the City of Cleveland's former chief of education, does not forget his upbringing. And just as he had mentors along the way — from his father to professors to fellow lawyers — Thompson strives to be a role model to young people in Willard. He says, "I want to show kids back there that despite where you start, there are opportunities."