Charles O. Thompson, Employment Attorney in San Francisco, California
Over 37 years of legal practice · focused on Employment, Litigation, and M&A · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
ShareholderatGreenberg Traurig, LLP
San Francisco, CA
Practicing employment in San Francisco since 1989.
- 37+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 1
- Bar admission
Practices in
Are you Charles O. Thompson?
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Quick answer
Charles O. Thompson is a shareholder based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on Employment, Litigation, and M&A. Charles has over 37 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- San Francisco, CA
- Experience
- over 37 years
- Known for
- Employment · Litigation · M&A
- Handles Employment, Litigation, and M&A matters from San Francisco, CA.
- Over 37 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with Peer Reviewed.
About Charles O. Thompson: Charles O. Thompson is a shareholder based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on Employment, Litigation, and M&A. Charles has over 37 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Charles O. Thompson
Charles concentrates on employment, litigation, m&a, and wage & hour. Each area below outlines the kind of case Charles handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Employment
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Litigation
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M&A
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Wage & Hour
View other Wage & Hour attorneys
Employment cases in San Francisco, California
Charles takes employment matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Charles agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in San Francisco, California
Charles takes litigation matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Charles agrees to represent you.
M&A cases in San Francisco, California
Charles takes m&a matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Charles agrees to represent you.
Wage & Hour cases in San Francisco, California
Charles takes wage & hour matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Charles agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Charles O. Thompson — Over 37 years of California employment experience
Charles O. Thompson is a shareholder based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on Employment, Litigation, and M&A. Charles has over 37 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Charles Thompson is a dynamic and creative trial lawyer serving national and global clients in high-stakes litigation. He focuses his practice on employment litigation and counseling representing clients through all phases of Class Actions and Single Plaintiff cases. Charles has wide-ranging experience litigating employment-related issues for public and private companies, having handled over 1,000 employment matters for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to Silicon Valley startups. He has tried employment, commercial, and professional liability cases to verdict and directed verdict, has litigated and appealed cases from California State Courts to the United States Supreme Court, and is a fellow of the prestigious College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. His case load includes cutting edge technology companies, air and space and retail.
Charles represents employers in wage and hour cases, as well as EEOC class actions, in state and federal courts across the United States and has broad experience appearing before the California Civil Rights Department, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Employment Development Department, and the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor.
In addition to his trial and counseling work, Charles serves as a private and judicial mediator and arbitrator, and has acted as a pro-tem judge upon request of the court. He has broad experience in binding arbitrations and trial. He has taught trial advocacy, diversity, employment cross border conflicts and substance abuse to clients and industry organizations.
Throughout his career, Charles has been a champion for diversity and has served on the Executive Committee of the board of Directors for the Justice & Diversity Center of The Bar Association of San Francisco. He actively supports and promotes diversity efforts and collaborates with clients on diversity issues.
Concentrations
•Class Action
•Americans with Disabilities Act
•Sexual harassment
•Discrimination and wrongful termination matters
•Sexual assault
•Wage and hour
•Catastrophic cases
Recognition & Leadership
Awards & Accolades
•fellow, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
•Six Sigma Greenbelt
•Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Labor & Employment, 2025-2026
•Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Labor and Employment Disputes (Including Collective Actions): Defense, 2021-2024
•Listed, Benchmark Litigation, 'Labor & Employment Star,' 2020-2024
•Recognized, National Law Review, 'Go-To Thought Leader,' 2020
•fellow, American Bar Foundation
Working with Charles on a employment matter
Charles Thompson is a dynamic and creative trial lawyer serving national and global clients in high-stakes litigation. He focuses his practice on employment litigation and counseling representing clients through all phases of Class Actions and Single Plaintiff cases. Charles has wide-ranging experience litigating employment-related issues for public and private companies, having handled over…
Clients Charles works with
Charles reviews new inquiries case-by-case for employment, litigation, and m&a matters in San Francisco and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Charles O. Thompson's legal education and bar admissions
Golden Gate University School of Law
J.D. · 1988
University of San Francisco
B.S. · 1983
Jurisdictions
Charles's state bar admissions
California
1989 · ACTIVE
Charles studied at J.D. in Golden Gate University School of Law and B.S. in University of San Francisco.
Law school and academic background
Charles completed J.D. in Golden Gate University School of Law and B.S. in University of San Francisco. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Charles runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of Charles O. Thompson
Charles has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Peer Reviewed
Legal awards and honors
Peer Reviewed.
Locations
Charles O. Thompson's office in San Francisco
Charles's primary office is at 101 Second Street, Suite 2200, San Francisco, CA, 94105. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
101 Second Street, Suite 2200
San Francisco, CA 94105
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of Charles O. Thompson — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Charles. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing employment attorneys in San Francisco.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Charles O. Thompson claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Charles O. Thompson — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new employment attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Charles usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Charles charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Charles's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Charles will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a employment attorney in San Francisco, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many employment matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Charles
Charles discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in employment practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every employment matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Charles confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Charles's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many employment practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Charles O. Thompson
How much does it cost to hire Charles for a employment case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Charles walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Charles offer a free consultation?
Charles charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Charles's office. Some employment attorneys offer free consults — check Charles's current terms during booking.
How long do employment cases in California typically take?
Simple employment matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Charles gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Charles take my case if I'm outside San Francisco?
Charles is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Charles will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Charles?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Charles will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Charles accepting new employment clients right now?
Charles's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Employment attorneys serving San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in California
Charles handles employment matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified employment attorneys in that community.
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
More counsel
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