Judge Patrick S. Thompson: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Patrick S. Thompson is a judge for the San Francisco County Superior Court in California. He was appointed to the bench by Governor Gavin Newsom on March 14, 2022, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Newton J. Lam.

Prior to his appointment, Thompson was a partner at Perkins Coie, a law firm he joined in 2015. He was a member of its Business Litigation Practice and its Antitrust & Unfair Competition Litigation Practice, where he represented clients in the food and beverage, technology, energy, and banking and financial services industries. In particular, his business litigation practice included defending class actions involving false advertising and unfair business practice claims.

Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from the University of Michigan. He then completed a J.D. at Harvard Law School. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1992.

After graduating from law school, Thompson entered into private practice. He started as an associate at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, rising through the ranks to become a partner. Then, in 2005, he became a partner at Goodwin Procter.

His memberships have included the Board of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Thompson was a resident of San Francisco at the time of his appointment.

He is registered without party preference.