Larry D. Thompson, former U.S. Deputy Attorney General and PepsiCo General Counsel, has joined the Atlanta-based law firm of Finch McCranie, LLP as Counsel, according to Finch McCranie partner Richard Hendrix.  In his new role, Thompson will provide counsel to attorneys and clients on selected matters.

Thompson was appointed Deputy Attorney General of the United States in 2001 by President George W. Bush.  During his tenure, Thompson led the Department of Justice’s National Security Coordination Council, as well as the government-wide Corporate Fraud Task Force.  Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and General Counsel for PepsiCo.  He continues to serve as the John A. Sibley Professor of Corporate and Business Law at the University of Georgia.

“Larry Thompson has unparalleled experience as a lawyer and counselor in both the public and private sectors, and is well known for his superb legal abilities and highest ethical standards,” said Hendrix.  “Partner Steven R. Wisebram and I had the pleasure of working with Larry when he was the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia and Steve and I were federal prosecutors.  Larry also worked with partner Michael A. Sullivan in investigating and prosecuting fraud and abuse at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the late 1990’s, and again when they collaborated on a major public corruption case.  We are all thrilled to join forces with Larry again and welcome him to Finch McCranie.”

Prior to serving as U.S. Deputy Attorney General, Thompson was a partner with the Atlanta-based law firm of King & Spalding, LLP, and was co-founder of the firm’s special matters and government investigations practice.  In 2000, Congress selected Thompson to chair the bi-partisan Judicial Review Commission on foreign Asset Control, and in 2004, he served as a Senior Fellow with the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.

A native of Hannibal, Missouri, Thompson earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, his Masters degree at Michigan State University and his law degree at the University of Michigan.  He has received numerous awards for his professional achievements, including the Edmund Jennings Randolph Award for outstanding contributions to the accomplishment of the Department of Justice’s mission, the Outstanding Litigator Award from the Federal Bar Association and an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Pace University in New York.  He has also been recognized by Atlanta’s Gate City Bar Association as a member of its Hall of Fame.