Peter Thompson practiced criminal law in Minnesota for 33 years.
As an Assistant United States Attorney and Federal Public Defender, he prosecuted and defended federal criminal cases. Thereafter he tried criminal cases in private practice with Thompson, Lundquist and Sicoli, Ltd. in Minneapolis, including conducting defense in the United States v. Dr. John Najarian. Thompson´s practice included pro bono work in defending civilly disobedient defendants in protests against nuclear weapons at Honeywell, landmines at Alliant Tech, and the training of human rights violators at the Army School of the Americas in Georgia. Thompson was active with Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights regarding war crimes and human rights investigations in: Bosnia, Sri Lanka, Haiti, India, Cambodia, and represented immigrants applying for political asylum in the United States.
In 2002 Thompson enrolled in United Theological Seminary and graduated in 2006 with a Masters in theology and religion. Since 2006 he has been an adjunct law professor teaching professional responsibility and a course dealing with the legal, moral and ethical issues arising from the war on terrorism.
Awards: 2009 Distinguished Service award from the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers: 2008 lifetime civil liberties award from the American Civil Liberties Union (MN).; 2006 Francis X. Pirazzini Award for theological acumen and ethical sensitivities from United Theological Seminary; 2002 Earl R. Larson Award for exemplary service in criminal defense of the poor from the United States District Court.