Taft Chicago partner Derrick Thompson has been appointed Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Sports and Entertainment Law Section Council for the 2026-2027 term. In this role, Thompson will help lead the council’s member engagement, publications, meetings, and continuing legal education programming.

Thompson is a partner in Taft’s Litigation and Intellectual Property groups. He has extensive experience as lead trial counsel in contract and licensing disputes, intellectual property matters involving trademark infringement and trade secrets, trust actions, and sports and entertainment disputes. Thompson also provides strategic counsel to companies and financial institutions facing complex legal issues and advises companies on brand protection.