Overview

Brian Thompson helps businesses, community associations, real estate professionals, title companies, and individuals navigate complex real estate, title, construction, and contract matters in Washington, DC and Maryland.

Brian approaches each matter with a combination of strategic thinking and personal investment. He works to understand not only the legal issues at stake, but also the client’s goals, concerns, and broader business objectives. One of the compliments Brian values most came from a client who told him they appreciated how much he cared about their case.

With more than 20 years of experience, Brian has served as lead counsel in real estate litigation matters before federal and state courts in the District of Columbia and Maryland, including the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland, and other trial and appellate courts throughout the region.

In addition to his litigation practice, Brian advises clients on residential and commercial acquisitions and dispositions, development matters, and transactions involving the District of Columbia Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act.

A longtime leader in the title industry, Brian has served on the Board of the District of Columbia Land Title Association since 2014 and has held numerous leadership positions, including president, president-elect, secretary, treasurer, and immediate past president. He also serves on several committees of the American Land Title Association and has contributed to Practical Law’s Washington, DC real estate resources and industry compliance publications.

Outside the office, Brian enjoys traveling, cooking, exploring wine, and cheering on his beloved Tar Heels. A North Carolina native, he now calls Washington, DC home.

Education

  • Tulane University Law School (J.D.)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A.)

Admissions

  • Maryland
  • District of Columbia
  • United States District Court of Maryland
  • United States District Court District of Columbia
  • United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Honors and awards

  • Listed in Super Lawyers, Washington D.C., Real Estate (2026)
  • Named “Rising Star” by Washington D.C., Super Lawyers, Real Estate (2016-2019)

Professional memberships

  • DC Land Title Association (Member of Board)
  • American Land Title Association – Member of Membership Committee (Former President)
  • Government Affairs Committee, and State Advocacy Network (Member)
  • DC Bar – Real Estate Housing & Land Use (Member)
  • Maryland Land Title Association (Member)
  • Maryland State Bar Association (Member)
  • DC Bar Foundation – 77 Society

Practice Areas

Real Estate

Developers, commercial property owners, and investors turn to Lerch Early’s “dirt lawyers” when they need to buy, sell, lease, or develop commercial real estate in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. 

Litigation

Lerch Early’s litigation team helps businesses, including nonprofits, and individuals resolve disputes throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Estates/Trusts

Lerch Early’s estate and trust attorneys help people throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area protect their assets while minimizing tax liability through sophisticated planning and administration.