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David Thompson: Recent Stanford Law School Graduate [By Heather Jung] “When I was little, my dad and I played a game of debating hard questions when we had long car trips together,” David Thompson said. “It was our way of spending quality time and for him to pass the time while driving. I kept playing that game long after the car trips ended and, sure enough, eventually found myself enrolled in law school.”
Thompson, who recently completed his
admires for his passion for the law and
prior to school memorizing each and every
law school career at Stanford, said his
teaching, as well as his devotion to his
one of our names and faces. His passion
favorite aspect of studying law is the
family.
for teaching was incredible; he let students work through each and every Socratic
ability to “debate the hard questions with incredibly intelligent people who
“He showed up on the first day in an
problem without telling the answer but
come from wildly diverse perspectives,
impeccable suit and his trademark bowtie.
gently guided discussion so that we heard
philosophies, and political backgrounds.”
He immediately began addressing students
and appreciated all sides. On a daily basis,
He feels that Stanford allowed him to
by their last names, having spent the week
he would do things like leaping on top of a
dialogue, respectfully, with people holding varying views. “There aren’t many places in life where people with such opposite views on a difficult issue can treat each other with respect and dignity. Stanford happened to be one of them,” Thompson said. Prior to attending Stanford Law School, Thompson graduated from Yale University in 2002 with a degree in economics, specifically public policy, and computer science. “After four years in the bucolic sunshine of New Haven, I was ready for a move to the gritty, gray streets of Palo Alto,” said Thompson.
Q. What do you do for fun? A. Play ice hockey. It’s a great full-contact way to let all the stress out and meet a lot of people whom I otherwise would not meet.
influenced him during law school was Professor Marcus Cole, whom Thompson PAGE
law or wearing a Steelers jersey for the day to demonstrate how the numbering system is a formality,” Thompson said of Cole.
Q. What CD is in your CD player right now? A. The last thing I put on my iPod was “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That” by Robert Randolph & The Family Band. They have an awesome funk/dance/jam sound going on that just gives you energy; I don’t think it’s possible to not dance if you really crank it up. The organ break (yes, an organ break) is brilliant.
During his time at Stanford, Thompson kept
Q. What is the last magazine you read? A. Not the ABA Journal, I can tell you that.
Sports Law Association; and the Stanford
Q. What is your favorite TV show? A. Easy one-House. Q. Who is your role model? A. I don’t think there’s one person, but it’s more about picking pieces from individuals whom I really respect.
Thompson said that the person who most
podium to demonstrate a point of contract
Q. What is something most people don’t know about you? A. Embarrassing factoid: I’m a sucker for cheesy mid-90s pop/rock, especially Counting Crows.
himself busy. In addition to his rigorous studies, he was extremely active in several student organizations, including, but not limited to, the Community Legal Services of East Palo Alto/Volunteer Attorney Program; the Stanford Journal of Law, Business
& Finance; the Stanford Law and Policy Society; the Stanford Entertainment and intercollegiate ice hockey team, on which he played left wing. “Student groups are a great way to meet people and explore different interests,” Thompson said. “Here at Stanford, we had groups ranging from the political (ACS and the Federalist Society) to the personal (the Older and Wiser Law Students Association). Each organization allows students to express a different side of their personal, professional, or political life. Getting involved is also a great way to gain a lot of the skills that employers will look for, from continued on back