--- title: "Denise M. Thomas | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/denise-m-thomas-district-court-judge-first-judicial-district-court-nm" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Denise M. Thomas First Judicial District Court · District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: First Judicial District Court - State: New Mexico - Role: District Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Appointed to Division IV, the Family Division of New Mexico’s First Judicial District Court, in March 2024, succeeding retired Judge Sylvia LaMar. - Earlier clerkships included the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Michigan and the Louisiana Supreme Court - Her community activities include Santa Fe education organizations, Girls Inc. and access-to-justice volunteering ### Education - a J.D. from Tulane University in 1998. - Undergraduate degree — University of Texas at Austin - Thomas earned an honors B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin ### Additional information - Appointment commenced March 29, 2024. - Her cited campaign biography describes associate work at Sommer, Udall, Hardwick, Ahern & Hyatt in Santa Fe from 2002 to 2006 and career law-clerk service for U.S. District Judge Martha Vázquez from 2006 to 2014. - Family law and estate/probate practice. - Her professional experience includes private practice in family law, mediation, adoption and estate planning. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### media electronic device coverage Scope: statewide New Mexico Rule 23-107 authorizes broadcasting, televising, photographing, and recording in state court proceedings subject to the rule's guidelines and judicial control. Evidence excerpt: The broadcasting, televising, photographing, and recording of court proceedings in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, district courts, magistrate courts, and metropolitan courts of the State of New Mexico are hereby authorized in accordance with the guidelines promulgated herewith. [Rule 23-107. Broadcasting, televising, photographing and recording of court proceedings](https://nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rule-23-107-12-20-2018.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote proceedings conduct Scope: statewide New Mexico Judiciary remote-proceedings standards treat virtual courtrooms as formal courtroom settings and impose conduct expectations for remote participants. Evidence excerpt: The courtroom, whether a physical in-person courtroom, or a virtual courtroom, remains a formal and serious setting where judges hear matters involving real people that affect real lives. [New Mexico Judiciary Remote Proceedings and Meeting Standards](https://firstdistrict.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2024/04/NEW-MEXICO-JUDICIARY-REMOTE-PROCEEDINGS-AND-MEETING-STANDARDS.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://firstdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges) - [Official roster](https://firstdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges) - [New Mexico Courts official judicial roster](https://firstdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges) - [Rule 23-107. Broadcasting, televising, photographing and recording of court proceedings](https://nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rule-23-107-12-20-2018.pdf) - [New Mexico Judiciary Remote Proceedings and Meeting Standards](https://firstdistrict.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2024/04/NEW-MEXICO-JUDICIARY-REMOTE-PROCEEDINGS-AND-MEETING-STANDARDS.pdf) - [www.governor.state.nm.us](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/03/25/governor-announces-judicial-appointments/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/denise-m-thomas-district-court-judge-first-judicial-district-court-nm", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/denise-m-thomas-district-court-judge-first-judicial-district-court-nm", "name": "Denise M. Thomas | KnowJudges", "description": "Denise M. Thomas, First Judicial District Court. 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Thomas", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/denise-m-thomas-district-court-judge-first-judicial-district-court-nm" } ] } ] } ``` ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [New Mexico Rule 23-107 — media coverage](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-16ed52dd2958e6571bf2469d) — 2018 dated rule; not extended to Municipal Courts. Media coverage exceptions and judicial control apply. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rule-23-107-12-20-2018.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.