Ebony Monet Thompson (born c. 1978) is an African-American lawyer from Maryland. In 2024, Thompson became the first woman and first openly gay city solicitor in the history of Baltimore's 294-year history.
Biography
Thompson is a native of Baltimore, Maryland.[1] She received a bachelor's degree in economics from Brown University prior to attending law school at the University of Baltimore.[2] In 2013 at age 34, Thompson graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law.[3][4] After law school, Thompson worked as a litigator at Venable LLP, where her great uncle is a partner.[5][6]
In 2022, Thompson became Baltimore deputy city solicitor.[7] That year, Mayor Brandon Scott named Thompson to replace retiring solicitor James L. Shea.[8][9] In January 2023, she became acting city solicitor, after questions arose about Thompson's qualification required for the role in the city charter.[10][11] According to the charter, Baltimore city solicitors were required to have ten years of tenure at the Maryland Bar, which Thompson was one year shy of.[12] Thompson accepted the role in an acing capacity until she could claim the full decade of service requirement.[13] In June, the city council raised Thompson's salary by 30%.[14] Later that year, Thompson and the City of Baltimore filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms after the federal agency did not respond to the city's Freedom of Information Act requests concerning firearm data.[15][16]
On January 29, 2024, Thompson was sworn in as Baltimore's city solicitor.[17][18] Thompson's appointment was unanimously confirmed by Baltimore City Council.[19] She became the first woman, and first openly gay city solicitor in Baltimore's 294-year history.[3][20]
Since becoming acting city solicitor, Thompson has been responsible for bringing lawsuits against Allergan, CVS, Cardinal Health, Walgreens and Teva Pharmaceuticals for their role in perpetuating Baltimore's opioid crisis.[21][22][23][24] As of 2025, Baltimore has received more than $600 million in restitution as a result of lawsuits Thompson brought against drug manufacturers and distributors, said to be the largest in the city's history.[25][26][27] In her role as Baltimore city solicitor, Thompson has additionally spearheaded efforts to track vacant properties in the city using blockchain technology.[28]
Personal life and honors
Thompson is a single mother of three daughters whom she conceived via IVF.[4] In addition to her legal work, she served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and practices karate.[29] In 2024, she received the Beacon of Justice Award in recognition for her significant impact on Maryland's LGBTQ+ community.[30]
In January 2025, Thompson was appointed grand marshal of Baltimore's Martin Luther King Jr. parade, under the theme, "Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers".[26][31]