Experience
- Successfully argued constitutional appeal upholding expansion of water works board.
- Successfully defended the attempted dissolution of a water works board through the petition and referendum process.
- Successful defense of unsuccessful bidder’s challenge to award of bid and contract.
- Successfully argued overturn of State Constitutional amendment to allow takeover of public water and sewer board.
- Successful defense to challenge of $476,000,000.00 transfer of water and sewer systems.
- Successful overturn of issuance of surface mining permit on the Warrior River.
- Successful prosecution of complaint against a company who discharged chemicals into Warrior River in amounts above ADEM limits.
- Regularly assists clients in drafting employee handbooks and personnel policies.
- Regularly assists clients in public bid and procurement policies and training.
- Represents clients in defending EEOC charges and investigations.
- Assists governmental boards in responding to various state and federal investigations.
- Represents clients in proceedings and matters before the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Surface Mining Commission and EPA.
Education
Mary received her J.D. from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University in 1992. While in law school she was a member of The Cumberland Law Review. She attended Auburn University and received her B.S. in Political Science from the University of Alabama, Birmingham in 1989.
Honors
- Martindale-Hubbell™ AV Preeminent Rated Lawyer
- Top Women Attorneys 2015-2017 bmetro Magazine
- Top Attorneys 2016-2017 bmetro Magazine
- Lawyers of Distinction 2017 – Employment Law
Licensed In
Alabama
Bar Admissions
- SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
- UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS, 11TH CIRCUIT
- UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
- UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
- UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
- SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA
Professional and Community Activities
- American Bar Association – Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law Section
- Alabama State Bar – Labor and Employment Section
- Birmingham Bar – Solo and Small Firm Section; Collaborative Practice Committee
- The Alabama Lawyer – Board of Editors
- American Water Works Association
- Junior League of Birmingham
- Ballet Guild of Birmingham
- Old Firehouse Shelter – Board of Directors (former)
- Governor’s Commission on Environmental Initiatives (1993-94)
MARY H. THOMPSON
Mary Thompson advises and represents public and municipal clients, businesses, as well as non-profits and individual clients. Her areas of practice include municipal, public sector and governmental law; employment law; environmental law; regulatory compliance; and corporate law.
Mary’s extensive municipal and public sector experience covers the areas of law that impact governmental entities, public bodies and agencies on a day-to-day basis. She assists in all major corporate activities of her clients including, acquisitions, sales and transfers; contract review and negotiation; environmental and regulatory proceedings; employment and labor relations issues; public bids and procurement issues; and day-to-day advice regarding corporate and board governance.
Mary also has significant experience in employment and labor law, and provides proactive and preventative training and guidance on a number of employment issues and laws including FMLA, ADA, ADEA, HIPAA, and Title VII matters. She also drafts and edits corporate employee handbooks and guidance manuals in these areas. Mary has successfully defended numerous charges and claims before the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission as well as in Federal and Appellate courts.
Mary is rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer review rating for professional excellence in legal knowledge and ability, communication skills and ethical standards.