National Law Journal has presented Larry D. Thompson, former U.S. Deputy Attorney General and current Counsel at Atlanta-based Finch McCranie, LLP, with its Lifetime Achievement Award.  Thompson was honored for his career-long accomplishments and impact on the national legal community at the publication’s annual awards gala in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 20, 2021.

“I can think of no one more deserving to be honored for a lifetime of service to the legal community and our country than Larry Thompson,” said Finch McCranie Partner Michael A. Sullivan.  “In addition to his vast experience as a federal prosecutor, including serving as U.S. Deputy Attorney General from 2001-2003, Larry recently completed the largest and most complex monitorship in history as the U.S. Department of Justice-appointed Independence Compliance Monitor and Auditor for Volkswagen AG.  He has been a champion of ethics and corporate integrity in many other efforts.  My partners and I are proud and delighted to see him honored with the National Law Journal’sLifetime Achievement Award.”

Thompson’s multi-faceted career includes both public and private roles.  He is the former General Counsel of PepsiCo, where he also served as Executive Vice President, Government Affairs and Corporate Secretary.  During his long career, he was a partner at King & Spalding and co-leader of its government investigations practice group.  He also served on the Board of The Southern Company.  From 1982-1986, Thompson was U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, directing the Southern Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and serving on the Attorney General’s Economic Crime Council.  He is the holder of the John A. Sibley Chair of Corporate and Business Law at the University of Georgia, and joined Finch McCranie LLP in 2015.

“In addition to his unparalleled experience as a lawyer and counselor in both the public and private sectors, Larry Thompson’s career has been marked by integrity and grace,” said Finch McCranie Partner Richard W. Hendrix.  “His counsel is frequently sought and generously given to young attorneys, corporate executives and high-level officials of both political parties.  He is an outstanding representative of the legal profession, and extremely well-deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award.”

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.  Thompson practices law in Atlanta, Ga. as Counsel at Finch McCranie LLP.