Former NM Chief Justice David Thomson Visits UNM Students

“Learning from Thomson was a valuable experience that deepened my understanding of the judicial system and the importance of the rule of law,” said Amy Aguirre, a political science and Spanish major at the University of New Mexico.

Aguirre was one of 45 students in a constitutional law class who received a surprise visit from David Thomson this past September, news.unm.edu reported. Thomson recently completed his term as the Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, the highest-ranking judicial position in the state.

The visit was organized by Lawrence Jones, who reached out to the justice in advance to request a live classroom appearance. Jones chose to keep the visit a secret from the students until Thomson arrived on campus.

The classroom setting provided a rare opportunity for pre-law students to engage directly with the person responsible for overseeing the state’s highest court. During the session, students questioned Thomson about specific cases he had handled while serving on the Supreme Court.

Thomson shared details regarding his personal career path, tracing his journey from law school to his eventual appointment to the Supreme Court in 2019. He also explained the collaborative process used by the five justices of the New Mexico Supreme Court when deciding legal matters.

The discussion touched on several technical legal areas, including Sixth Amendment issues and a defendant’s right to counsel. Thomson specifically addressed legal complexities that arise during appeals for individuals who chose to represent themselves during their initial trials.

Beyond specific case law, Thomson looked toward the future of the judiciary. He discussed the constitutional challenges that both state and federal courts are expected to face in the coming years, as well as the requirements for maintaining a constitution that remains functional for centuries.

The conversation even included a look at historical governance. Thomson commented on a student assignment regarding “pirate ship” constitutions, or articles of agreement, noting how these social structures balance rights and obligations within a community.

“I pointed out half-jokingly to the students that, no matter what else happens in their journeys towards careers in law, they will always have the unique memory that for at least one afternoon, the chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court came into class and helped them with their homework,” Jones said.

Thomson’s visit aligns with his broader work in judicial education. He currently heads New Mexico’s judicial education program and holds a position on the Executive Committee of the American Bar Association Judicial Division Appellate Judges Conference and the Appellate Judges Education Institute.

The professor noted that many of the students in the class intend to pursue law school and professional legal careers. For these students, the transparency of the discussion served as a practical extension of their academic studies.

Aguirre noted that the experience was “eye-opening” and helped strengthen her desire to serve her community through public service. Following the formal presentation, students remained in the classroom to continue discussions and pose additional questions to the former Chief Justice.

Thomson, who previously served as a state trial judge, was recently nominated by his peers for membership in the American Law Institute.