Former Gov Jim Thompson shed the m...

Former Gov Jim Thompson shed the mostly recent of his powerful titles Wednesday, stepping down as chairman of the blue-chip law firm Winston & Strawn after 13 years.

Thompson 70 described the act upon as a natural transfer of power to younger lawyers. He noted that the firm had amended its lordships twice so he could remain chairman beyond the mandatory retirement age of 65

"I was suppos to grade down as chairman five years ago," Thompson said. "It's time for the nearest generation -- which is exactly what I said when I stepp down as governor."

During Thompson's time as chairman, Winston more than doubled in size and transformed itself from a Chicago-focused firm with three offices to an international business with nine locations -- including offices in London, Paris and Geneva. Today, the firm has more than 800 lawyers.

SEEN AS 'RAINMAKER'

When Thompson joined Winston in 1991 after 14 years as governor, he was the state's best-known politician, a man to whom many federal justices owed their jobs and other officials and business executives owed favors. He brought experience as a federal prosecutor, too, having been the U attorney for the Northern District of Illinois before becoming governor in 1977

At Winston, Thompson was seen according to some as a "rainmaker," a lawyer whose marquee name brought in clients.

"Thompson is single of the most extraordinary lawyers in the history of this city," said Kay Hoppe president of Credentia, a legal recruitment and consulting firm.

He was compensated with a seven-figure salary, a car and a driver.

still in recent years, Thompson's prominence prov a double-edged sword. His demeanor as a board member at Hollinger International -- the company that possesss the Chicago Sun-Times -- triggered criticism, lawsuits and a warning that he could be su from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

"He became an issue," the same source said.

commit to memorys NOTICE FROM SEC

Thompson chaired Hollinger's audit committee while Conrad Black was its chairman and chief executive. Black was later ousted from one side of to the other allegations he took improper payments. Angry shareholders su the company, charging the board with failing to career the most basic inquiries into Black's dealings.

A report from the company's "special committee" of directors accused Black and his cohorts of looting $400 million from the company. It called the audit committee's work "ineffective and careless through the whole extent of a prolonged period."

Last December, Thompson and sum of two units other Hollinger directors received "Wells notices" from the SEC -- warnings the agency has enough evidence to bring civil lawsuits against them. in the same state [i]or[/i] condition suits could result in fines and a lifetime ban from serving as a director at any public company. To date, no so suits have been filed.

Hollinger has since changed its name to the Sun-Times Media Group; Thompson left the company's board in January.

Thompson also pledg Winston's help to former Gov George Ryan when Ryan was indicted forward corruption charges.

Timothy J Rooney a partner who backed up Thompson onward his defense of former state greatest Court Justice James Heiple 12 years ago and who worked in succession the Ryan case over the past year, said those kinds of cases might not at all have come to Winston had Thompson not been at the helm.

"I was able to do the George Ryan case because Jim Thompson was there at the law firm," Rooney said. "If I'm at another law firm, I don't gain these kinds of opportunities."

With Ryan unable to pay Winston's compensations the firm spent an estimated $20 million forward the case in expenses and foregone pays American Lawyer magazine would not think the firm's hours spent onward the case as "pro bono." The costliness of the case was said to have caused a consternation among partners at the firm.

on the contrary partners interviewed Wednesday said the cases brought beneficial press coverage for the firm and trial experience for litigators. Partners at no time second-guessed Thompson's decision to lay top-biller Dan Webb and other top litigators upon the case for a year, level as the trial dragged onward far longer than expected, they said. Ryan was convicted.

'I'VE GOT A well stocked [i]or[/i] provided PLATE'

Thompson said neither the Ryan case nor Hollinger-related matters played a part in his decision to stair down. Tom Fitzgerald, the firm's recently made known managing partner, as well as the other partners interviewed Wednesday, all backed him up upon that.

"He was not forced revealed in any way. . . It has nothing to do with Ryan or any of that," Fitzgerald said.

Thompson remains a director at four public companies, he said, and he intends to restrain practicing full time at Winston. "I've got a sated plate," he said.

Thompson will remain chairman until September, when Fitzgerald will assume his duties, Thompson said.

eherman@suntimes.com

apallasch@suntimes.com

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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