Changes

Thompson would return to Tennessee, where he maintained law offices in Nashville and Washington, D.C.. His practice varied from pro bono work to representing the state of Tennessee and large corporations, such as Westinghouse.  

Thompson would return to Tennessee, where he maintained law offices in Nashville and Washington, D.C.. His practice varied from pro bono work to representing the state of Tennessee and large corporations, such as Westinghouse.  

In 1977 Thompson took on the case of Marie Ragghianti, a Tennessee Parole Board chairman fired under suspicious circumstances. Thompson confirmed that her firing was due to her refusal to release from prison felons who had bribe aides of [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] governor Ray Blanton to buy their freedom. Thompson filed a suit challenging Ragghianti's dismissal. A jury found in July of 1978, that Governor Blanton had fired her "arbitrarily and capriciously" and ordered her reinstatement with an award of $38,000 for back pay. Ragghianti's case would garner national attention, along with the publication of a book titled, simply, Marie. Thompson's work helped to expose this cash-for-clemency scheme ultimately toppled Blanton.  

In 1977 Thompson took on the case of Marie Ragghianti, a Tennessee Parole Board chairperson fired under suspicious circumstances. Thompson confirmed that her firing was due to her refusal to release from prison felons who had bribe aides of [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] governor Ray Blanton to buy their freedom. Thompson filed a suit challenging Ragghianti's dismissal. A jury found in July of 1978, that Governor Blanton had fired her "arbitrarily and capriciously" and ordered her reinstatement with an award of $38,000 for back pay. Ragghianti's case would garner national attention, along with the publication of a book titled, simply, ''Marie''. Thompson's work helped to expose this cash-for-clemency scheme ultimately toppled Blanton.  

Thompson went on to became special counsel to Tennessee Governor [[Lamar Alexander]] in 1980, special counsel, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations 1980-1981, Special counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence 1982. He became a member of the Tennessee Appellate Court Nominating Commission 1985-1987.

Thompson went on to became special counsel to Tennessee Governor [[Lamar Alexander]] in 1980, special counsel, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations 1980-1981, Special counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence 1982. He became a member of the Tennessee Appellate Court Nominating Commission 1985-1987.