Bruce Rutherford Thompson

Who was Bruce Rutherford Thompson?

Bruce Rutherford Thompson was a United States federal judge.

Born in Reno, Nevada, Thompson received an A.B. from the University of Nevada in 1932 and an LL.B. from Stanford Law School in 1936. He was in private practice in Reno, Nevada from 1936 to 1963, and was then an assistant U.S. Attorney of the District of Nevada from 1942 to 1952. He was a Special Master, U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada from 1952 to 1954.

On July 9, 1963, Thompson was nominated by President John F. Kennedy to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Nevada vacated by John R. Ross. Thompson was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 6, 1963, and received his commission on August 16, 1963. He assumed senior status on August 31, 1978, serving in that capacity until his death, in 1992. The Bruce R. Thompson United States Courthouse in Reno was named for him.

His brother, Gordon R. Thompson, was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nevada from 1961 to 1980.