Anthony C. Thompson

Anthony C. Thompson is a Professor of Clinical Law at New York University School of Law and the founding faculty director of the Center on Race, Inequality and the Law at the same institution. He was a member of NYU's faculty for a quarter century and taught courses in criminal justice, civil litigation, and leadership. His groundbreaking work includes designing the first course in the country focused on offender reentry, now part of the Community Defense and Reentry Clinic (CDRC) at NYU.

Thompson is recognized for his contributions to dialogues on race, inequality, and law, which includes his collaborations with prominent legal figures like Sherrilyn Ifill, Loretta Lynch, and Bryan Stevenson. He has also provided executive education for the past 15 years to Fortune 100 and Global 100 companies focusing on leadership and strategy execution through Duke Corporate Education Global Learning Research Network.

Thompson has received numerous awards for his teaching, including the NYU Distinguished Teaching Award, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty Award, and the Law School’s Podell Distinguished Teaching Award. His written contributions extend beyond academia, with his work appearing in major publications such as the New York Times and El Diario/La Prensa.

Thompson is the author of numerous books that explore race, law, and leadership in America, including "Releasing Prisoners, Redeeming Communities", "A Perilous Path", and the forthcoming "Dangerous Leaders". His most recent work is "Progressive Prosecution: Race and Reform in Criminal Justice," which he co-edited.

Prior to his appointment at NYU, Thompson practiced criminal, civil, and entertainment law in Richmond, California. He served for nine years as a Deputy Public Defender in Contra Costa County, California. Currently, he serves on Governor Cuomo’s Reentry Council and sits on the board of several nonprofits. Thompson received his J.D. from Harvard Law School and his B.S. Ed. from Northwestern University.