Recognized as a top North Carolina political influencer and one of the state’s most influential lobbyists, Bruce Thompson is part of Parker Poe’s Government & Public Policy group. He concentrates his practice in governmental and regulatory activities, including legislative representation and counsel before the United States Congress and the North Carolina General Assembly, strategy formulation, bill drafting, preparation of testimony for legislative committees, and appearances before state and federal executive agencies. He also focuses on economic development initiatives, having represented some of the nation’s largest companies in incentives negotiations with local and state officials.
Campaigns & Elections magazine has named him one of the top 10 political influencers from North Carolina as part of the publication’s “Influencers 500” list. The magazine described Bruce as a “top lobbyist” in North Carolina. He has been named to the list of “Most Influential Lobbyists” by the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research, was recognized by North Carolina Super Lawyers for Government Relations and Administrative Law, and has been named to Woodward/White’s The Best Lawyers in America since 2008.
Bruce served on the National Finance Committee for the Hillary Clinton for President Campaign and was an advisor to Secretary of State Clinton’s campaign during the North Carolina primary. He served as legal counsel to United States Senator Kay Hagan in her successful campaign and also advised the North Carolina campaign of President Barack Obama during the 2008 general election. Additionally, he served as outside counsel for the 2012 campaign of United States Representative Mike McIntyre.
During each election cycle, news outlets including Media General, Fox News, UNC-TV, NBC-17, the Raleigh News & Observer, the Winston-Salem Journal, and the New York Times call upon Bruce for commentary. His experience in state and national politics provides him with insight into the electoral process and its impact on public policy. He also utilizes this experience to advise clients on election law issues in addition to providing counsel on how to navigate the halls of government in Washington, DC, and Raleigh, NC.
Before joining Parker Poe, he was an assistant attorney general in the North Carolina Department of Justice. There, he represented state colleges and universities, the community college system, and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. He also served as a legal advisor to the North Carolina Commission on Business Laws and the Economy while a member of the attorney general’s staff.
Following graduation from law school, Bruce served as a law clerk for the Honorable Jack L. Cozort on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He also managed a statewide campaign for North Carolina attorney general in 1996.
He is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.