David R. Thompson

Who was David R. Thompson?

David R. Thompson was a United States federal judge.

Born in San Diego, California, Thompson received a B.S. from the University of Southern California in 1952 and an LL.B. from the University of Southern California Law School in 1955. He was in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1957. He was in private practice in San Diego, California from 1957 to 1985.

On October 7, 1985, Thompson was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a new seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit created by 98 Stat. 333. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 16, 1985, and received commission on December 17, 1985. He assumed senior status on December 31, 1998.

Thompson died on February 19, 2011, after a sudden illness. Thompson had traveled to San Francisco to hear oral arguments in several cases. He died at the city's St. Mary's Medical Center.