Serving Northern New Mexico's Families

Judge Denise Thomas was appointed to the First Judicial District Court in March 2024, by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, after being recommended by the Bi-Partisan Judicial Nominating Commission. She replaces Judge Sylvia LaMar, who retired. Denise must now run in the 2026 election to keep her seat on the court and continue serving as our Family Court Judge.

Denise’s experience spans more than two decades, most recently operating her own law firm prior to her appointment, focusing on helping families navigate some of the most important and challenging legal issues in their lives. She helped families plan for marriage, adoption, divorce, child custody and support, and wills and trust. 

Denise has extensive state and federal litigation experience with a breadth of experience in multiple areas of the law involving civil and criminal litigation, contract formation and disputes, insurance coverage issues, property and construction law matters, tax issues, and appeals. She has advanced training and experience as a mediator and settlement facilitator. 

Denise graduated from The University of Texas at Austin and Tulane Law School. She began her early career as a Law Clerk for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Michigan and as a Law Clerk for the Louisiana Supreme Court. Thereafter, she worked at Sommer, Udall, Hardwick, Ahern & Hyatt, P.A. in Santa Fe; and later served as a Career Law Clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Martha Vazquez in the District of New Mexico. Denise was selected by her peers as one of the Best Lawyers in Family Law and Mediation. She has also been a volunteer for the Family Law Free Legal Clinics, Access to Justice, and the First Judicial District Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Program. Denise is a member of the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts and American Inns of Court.

Denise has called Santa Fe home since 2002. She has long been dedicated to the community, as a director for Partners in Education Foundation and Girls, Inc.; a volunteer for the New Mexico School for the Arts; President and Events Chair for Wood Gormley Elementary School Parent Teacher Committee; and as a volunteer for St. Elizabeth’s Shelters. She enjoys reading, cooking and traveling. Denise loves listening to music and attending live performances, as well as skiing and bicycling with her children. She also plays the piano.

Denise has envisioned serving her community in the judiciary since she was an undergraduate student. She is most fulfilled by working with children and families and has dedicated the majority of her legal career to helping families during their most difficult times.

Denise will be on the 2026 election cycle ballot. Her judicial position will be on the ballots of voters in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and Los Alamos counties.

Denise must now run in the 2026 election cycle to keep her seat on the First Judicial District Court and to continue working for us. The campaign will begin collecting petition signatures to qualify for   the ballot & $5-Public-Financing Qualifying contributions to  qualify  for public financing, in October 2025. Sign up her to volunteer to help keep Denise serving our community.

The Committee to Keep Judge Thomas is pursuing public financing  to keep big-money out of judicial races. We are able to collect small  grassroots donations of up to $100 per donor from NM-registered voters. You can contribute here.

The  Primary Election will be held June 2, 2026. The General Election will  be held November 3, 2026. Voters in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and Los Alamos  counties can vote for Denise.