Rossman D. Thompson Jr.

Rossman D. Thompson Jr. is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and an Assistant Federal Defender with the Federal Community Defender Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, bringing over 27 years of experience in criminal defense and re-entry advocacy.

Education:

• B.A. in Urban Studies, College of Wooster
• J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law

His professional work focuses on representing indigent clients in federal court and supporting high-risk offenders through re-entry initiatives. He has contributed to national discussions on federal re-entry policy through panel presentations sponsored by the U.S. Sentencing Commission, the Department of Justice's National Advocacy Center, and other key criminal justice organizations. His expertise lies in criminal defense, sentencing reform, and community reintegration programs aimed at reducing recidivism.

Though no recent publications are listed, his career reflects a deep engagement with practical and policy-oriented aspects of criminal justice and public defense.

Professional Engagements:

• Panelist, U.S. Sentencing Commission events on Federal Re-entry
• Presenter, National Advocacy Center for the Department of Justice
• Participant, National Conference for Chief U.S. Probation Officers
• Contributor, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency initiatives

Rossman Thompson began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable William F. Hall Jr., U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. His current role combines active federal defense practice with academic instruction, mentoring future legal professionals. He is involved in the Supervision to Aid Re-entry (STAR) program, a federal initiative focused on community supervision and reintegration support.

He is affiliated with the Federal Community Defender Office and contributes to re-entry programming in the Philadelphia area, operating at the intersection of legal advocacy, judicial policy, and social justice reform.