AveMaria Thompson - Adjunct Professor of Law

AveMaria Thompson is the Director of the Landlord Tenant Medication Clinic and Clinic Faculty. Clinic students have an opportunity to engage in both client representation and conduct neutral facilitative mediation in this innovative clinic. Students are trained in landlord tenant law and are given the important responsibility to represent litigants and conduct mediations in active landlord-tenant cases in Suffolk County District Court. Students learn the basics of landlord-tenant law and mediation techniques. Seminar includes simulations of housing cases, negotiation, and alternative dispute resolution. This clinic provides a critically important service to litigants and judges in landlord-tenant matters. Students also develop advocacy and negotiation skills, proficiency in mediation, and knowledge of landlord-tenant law and court procedures. 

Since 2017, Ms. Thompson has been a Staff Attorney for the Senior Citizens Law Project. She is also an Access to Justice Program Volunteer and a recipient of the 2019 Pro Bono Honoree Award for her work as a volunteer. Ms. Thompson has also lectured at Touro Law Center’s yearly “Perfect Practice Continuing Legal Education Program,” a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program for newly admitted attorneys. She was a presenter at "Elder Abuse, Aging Health, and Equity Law " at a national conference in September 2021 and lectured on "Topics in Geriatrics" for the Touro School of Podiatry in Spring 2022 and 2023.  She was also a Torts Adjunct Professor at Touro Law Center for three years. Ms. Thompson has been the Law Clinic Mock Trial Judge since 2020 and the supervisor for Siena College Summer Fellowship Program interns at Touro since 2017. 

Upon graduation from Touro Law Center in May 2000, Ms. Thompson started her career in public service by working as an Assistant District Attorney for the Queens County District Attorney’s Office. After working three years at the Queens District Attorney's Office, she joined the staff of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Ms. Thompson served as an Assistant District Attorney for ten years in Suffolk County.  She was a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Narcotics Bureau.  

Ms. Thompson earned her Bachelor and Master’s Degrees at Buffalo University.  In 2000, she earned her Juris Doctorate at Touro Law Center.   In law school, Ms. Thompson earned a Merit Scholarship, was a member of Law Review, and President of the Minority Student Bar Association. Through the years, Ms. Thompson has held membership and office in various organizations including a member of the Board of Directors for the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association; The Women in Courts Committee; The Links, Inc. Services to Youth Co-Chair; Jack and Jill of America Suffolk County Chapter Parliamentarian, Legislative Chair, Community Service Chair, Bylaws Chair and Nomination Committee member; the National Bar Association Government Attorneys Executive Board Member; the National Black Prosecutors Association Election Chair; Amistad Long Island Black Bar Association Constitution Law Day Committee Chair (2015 and 2016) and President-Elect (2017).