Thompson was nominated by President Richard Nixon on October 7, 1970, to the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, to a new seat created by 84 Stat. 294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 13, 1970, and received his commission on October 16, 1970. He served as Chief Judge from 1984 to 1991. He assumed senior status on December 28, 1994 and served in that capacity until his death on July 5, 2015.
