Scott M. Davidson

I have an extensive background representing clients from across the United States and beyond in appellate and post-conviction cases in federal state courts. In 2005, I founded Just Appeals, a boutique law firm of national scope, headquartered in the beautiful high desert city of Albuquerque. My practice includes criminal appeals, post-conviction proceedings, complex federal multi-defendant criminal cases, Title III electronic surveillance litigation, expungement of criminal records, executive clemency proceedings, and immigration appeals in EOIR. My legal experience spans two decades of federal and state trial and appellate litigation. From 1996 to 1998, I clerked at the New Mexico Supreme Court. From 1998 to 2000, I litigated federal multi-district class-action anti-trust and securities cases while an associate at Freedman Boyd Daniels Hollander Goldberg & Cline PA. In 2000, I joined the Federal Defender's office in New Mexico, where my practice focused on appellate and post-conviction cases on behalf of indigent criminal defendants in federal court. My educational history includes advanced degrees from Yale University (Ph.D., M.A., M. Phil.) and the University of New Mexico School of Law (J.D.). I also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity University, and also studied at Macalester College, Institut Méditerranéen, and King's College London. My scholarly approach to the law is grounded in my extensive educational background and more than a dozen years of teaching experience in law and philosophy at Yale University, the University of New Mexico School of Law, and the University of South Carolina. Over the last two decades, I have contributed to professional publications and presented at legal seminars on a variety of topics in criminal law, civil law, immigration law, and related fields. My firm, Just Appeals, the Law Office of Scott M. Davidson, is dedicated to offering a client-centered, research-based approach to mitigating or erasing the effects of prior convictions, and related types of cases. I personally handle each case and take the time to make sure clients understand every phase along the way. I recognize that these cases can be time consuming, emotionally draining, and costly. An appeal or post-conviction case is often the last chance to right a wrong and correct a miscarriage of justice. I have seen first hand that choosing the right lawyer to handle your case can be one of life's most important decisions. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Scott M. Davidson included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors Top Lawyers in New Mexico, Highest in Ethical Standards and Professional Excellence, by The Legal Network 10 Best Client Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys Other Sources of Feedback About Scott M. Davidson Included on the 2026Southwest Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2025 Southwest Super Lawyers list 2024 Southwest Super Lawyers list 2021 Southwest Super Lawyers list

• President

• Freedman Boyd Daniels Hollander Goldberg & Cline, P.A., Albuquerque, NM, Associate, 1998 - 2000
• Supreme Court of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM, Judicial Law Clerk, 1996 - 1998

• University of New Mexico School of Law, Albuquerque, NM, 1994-96, 2006-08, 2010-12
• University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 1991-93
• Yale University, 1985-91

• Board Member, Ghost Ranch Governing Board, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2007 - 2013
• Board Member, New Mexico Innocence and Justice project, 2008 - Present

• Supreme Court of the United States of America
• U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
• U.S. District Court District of Colorado
• U.S. District Court District of New Mexico
• U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, pro hac vice
• U.S. District Court District of Wyoming
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, pro hac vice
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
• New Mexico

• State Bar of New Mexico Appellate Practice Section, - 2009 (Chair)
• State Bar of New Mexico Appellate Practice Section, 2007 - 2012 (Board Member)
• State Bar of New Mexico Appellate Practice Institute Committee, - 2007 (Chair)
• H. Vearle Payne American Inn of Court, 2008 - 2012 (Barrister)
• New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1998 - Present (Benefactor and Member)
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2005 - Present (Member)
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Past Member)
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (Member)