Peter M. Thomson

Peter Thomson concentrates his practice in criminal defense, government investigations, and internal investigations.  He also handles select civil litigation and appellate work.  Peter has extensive experience in a wide variety of matters and has represented individual and corporate clients in cases involving RICO, financial offenses, SEC securities fraud, INTERPOL extradition law, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance, data breaches, corruption, wire and mail fraud, health care fraud, immigration law, environmental crimes, and maritime criminal offenses.  Peter has tried more than 50 criminal trials to verdict in federal and state courts.

Prior to joining Stone Pigman, Peter had a twenty-three year career as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he served in the Organized Crime Strike Force.  He also served on special assignment at the National Security Agency.  In 2020, he was nominated by the President to be Inspector General of the Central Intelligence Agency. He testified before the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and was voted out favorably with unanimous consent.  Following the 2020 Presidential election, his nomination was returned under the Senate Rules.

• Represents corporations and individuals under investigation for, or who have been charged with, a broad range of state or federal crimes.
• Assists corporations with internal investigations and compliance programs, including Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance.
• Defends companies together with owners, operators, and crew members of motor vessels who have been charged with environmental and/or maritime related crimes.
• Counsels clients on all aspects of privacy and information security and electronic surveillance laws, including the Federal Wiretap Statute and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
• Assists clients with data breaches and cyber intrusions including ransomware attacks.
• Defends and assists clients subject to INTERPOL Red Notices and related extradition matters.

• Peter is an Executive Committee Member of the Criminal Law Practice Group of The Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Studies; and is an Executive Committee Member of the New Orleans Lawyer's Chapter.
• American Bar Association member.
• Louisiana State Bar Association member.
• New Orleans Bar Association member.
• Metropolitan Crime Commission of New Orleans former Board Member.

• Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy, Tulane Law School (1989-2009).

• Former Presidential Nominee to be Inspector General of the Central Intelligence Agency, approved by Senate Select Committee on Intelligence with unanimous consent.
• AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell.
• Best Lawyers in America 2014 – 2024.
• Louisiana Super Lawyers 2013 – 2021.
• New Orleans Magazine "Top Lawyer" 2014 – 2023.
• New Orleans CityBusiness 2013 Leadership in Law honoree.
• Prior to private practice, Peter was recognized numerous times by government agencies, including a Special Commendation Award given by the U.S. Attorney General for completing the Justice Department's Leadership Excellence and Achievement Program; Special Commendation by FBI Director for outstanding performance for successful corruption prosecution after Hurricane Katrina; Special Award from the U.S. Postal Service for prosecution of corrupt employee; Special Award by New Orleans Police Department, ATF, and U.S. Department of Justice for his contributions to Project Exile; and Special Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Drug Law Enforcement from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

"Screening and Charging Decisions – Civil Considerations," Louisiana State Bar Association 11th Annual White Collar Crime Symposium, April 2019.

"Prosecution and Defense of Public Corruption and Fraud Cases in Louisiana," Louisiana State Bar Association 10th Annual White Collar Crime Symposium, April 2018.

"Weaver v. Massachusetts," SCOTUScast hosted by The Federalist Society, May 2017.

"The Status and Future of Federal White Collar Prosecutions in Louisiana," Louisiana State Bar Association 9th Annual White Collar Crime Symposium, April 2017.

"Plea Bargaining and Sentencing -- Strategy from Both Sides -- U.S. Sentencing Guidelines," Louisiana State Bar Association 8th Annual White Collar Crime Symposium, April 2016.

"The Smith General Store Data Breach Investigation Response," Data Security Compliance and Response & Internal Investigations CLE program for the Association of Corporate Counsel Louisiana Chapter, July 2015.

"Robers v. United States - Post-Decision," SCOTUScast for The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, May 2014.

"GPS Surveillance and the Supreme Court:  U.S. v. Jones," Teleforum for the Criminal Law & Procedure Practice Group of The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, February 2012.

"Criminal Defense Attorney Tactics," Louisiana Forgery and Fraud Investigators Association, 2011.

"Testifying in Federal Court," St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, POST Academy, 2009.

"Trends in Identity Theft," Louisiana Insurance Agents Association, 2009.

• "Taylor v. United States," The Federalist Society blog, February 29, 2016.
• "Interpol’s Transnational Policing By 'Red Notice' and 'Diffusions': Procedural Standards, Systemic Abuses, and Reforms Necessary to Assure Fairness and Integrity," Engage Volume 16, Issue 2, published by The Federalist Society, September 2015.
• "A Comprehensive Strategy Targeting Recidivist Criminals with Continuous Real-Time GPS Monitoring:  Is Reverse Engineering Crime Control Possible?" The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies publication, November 2011.
• "Supreme Court Strikes Down Mandatory Provisions of Federal Sentencing Guidelines," The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies white paper, January 2005.
• "Supreme Court Decision Spawns Swirl of Controversy Over Sentencing Guidelines," The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies white paper, July 2004.
• "USA Patriot Act's 'Roving' Electronic Surveillance Amendment to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act," The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies white paper, March 2004.