Joseph F. Leeson, Jr.
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2014 - Present
10
Joseph F. Leeson, Jr. is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the court, he was a partner at the law firm of Leeson, Leeson & Leeson. President Barack Obama nominated Leeson to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on June 16, 2014.[1] Leeson received confirmation on December 4, 2014, when the United States Senate voted 76-16 in favor of the nomination.[2]
Education
Leeson earned his B.A. from DeSales University, graduating cum laude in 1977 and his J.D. from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in 1980.[1]
Professional career
- 2013-2014: Solicitor, City of Easton Board of Ethics
- 2011-2014: Alternate solicitor for Planning and Zoning, Borough of Bangor
- 2011-2014: Tax hearing officer, Bethlehem Township
- 2011-2013: Solicitor, East Allen Township Municipal Authority
- 2006-2014: Solicitor, East Allen Township
- 2004-2013: Solicitor, Northampton County General Purpose Authority
- 2004-2010: Member, City Council of the City of Bethlehem
- 2008-2010: Vice president
- 2007-2010: Chair of Finance Committee
- 1998-2003: Solicitor, City of Bethlehem
- 1991-2004: Solicitor, Northampton County Industrial Development Authority
- 1992-1997: Solicitor, City Council of the City of Bethlehem
- 1985-1991: Solicitor, Personnel Appeals Board of Northampton County
- 1981-Present: Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association
- 1980-Present: Attorney, Leeson Leeson & Leeson, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- 1974-1976: Board of commissioners, Northampton County Government Study Commission[1][3]
Judicial career
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
 |
| Nominee Information |
| Name: Joseph F. Leeson, Jr. |
| Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania |
| Progress |
| Confirmed 171 days after nomination. |
 Nominated: June 16, 2014
|
| ABA Rating: Substantial Majority Qualified, Minority Not Qualified
|
| Questionnaire: Questionnaire |
| Hearing: July 24, 2014
|
| QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more) |
| Reported: September 18, 2014
|
| Confirmed: December 4, 2014
|
| Vote: 76-16
|
Joseph F. Leeson, Jr. was nominated by President Barack Obama on June 16, 2014, to fill a vacancy on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. President Obama on the nomination:
| “ | I am honored to put forward these highly qualified candidates for the federal bench. They will be distinguished public servants and valuable additions to the United States District Courts.[1][4] | ” |
The American Bar Association rated Leeson Substantial Majority Qualified, Minority Not Qualified for the nomination.[5]
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing for Leeson on July 24, 2014.[6] The committee reported Leeson to the full Senate on September 18, 2014, on voice vote.[7] The Senate confirmed Leeson on December 4, 2014, by a vote of 76-16.[2]
Awards and associations
The awards and associations are as they appeared on Leeson's questionnaire submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Awards
- 2012-Present: AV Preeminent Review Rating, Martindale Hubble Legal Directory
- 2010, 2013: Pennsylvania "Super Lawyer"
- 2007-Present: National Board of Trial Advocacy, Civil Trial Advocate Certification
- 2007: Distinguished Alumni Award, DeSales University
- 1989: Boss of the Year Award, Lehigh-Northampton Counties Legal Secretaries Association
- 1988: Young Man of the Year of the City of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Area Jaycees
Associations
- 2011-Present: Member, Knights of Columbus
- 2011-Present: Board chair and president, Janet Johnston Housenick and William D. Housenick Memorial Foundation
- 2009-Present: St. Thomas More Society of the Diocese of Allentown
- 2009-Present: Title insurance agent, Conestoga Title Insurance Company
- 2005-2011: Assistant scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America, Troop 352 of Bethlehem
- 2004-Present: Carisal Investment Holdings B.V.I., Ltd
- 2004-2012: Member of administrative board of governors, Pennsylvania Catholic Conference
- 2001-Present: Board member, Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation
- 2004-2006: Board chair
- 1995-Present: Pennsylvania Society
- 1995-1999: Member of parish council, Notre Dame Church
- 1993-1999: Member of board of commissioners, Pennsylvania Public Television Network Commission
- 1992-Present: Union League of Philadelphia
- 1991-Present: Saucon Valley Country Club
- 1991-2010: Board member, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority
- 1995-1997: Board chair
- 1991-1994: Board member, United Cerebral Palsy of Bethlehem Endowment Fund
- 1984-1998: Board member, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
- 1995-1997: Board chair
- 1984-1986: Finance officer
- 1981-2000: Member, Bethlehem Area Chamber of Commerce
- 1981-1985: Board member, Bethlehem Community Concert Association, Inc.
- 1980-1995: Member, Bethlehem Area Jaycees
- 1984-1986: Treasurer
- 1980-Present: President and member of board of directors, Damar Construction, Inc.
- 1980-Present: Member of President's Council, DeSales University
- 1974-1976: Northampton County Government Study Commission[3]
See also
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit
External links
- The White House, "President Obama Announces Intent to Nominate Five to Serve on the United States District Courts," June 13, 2014
- Judge Leeson's biography from the Federal Judicial Center
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The White House, "President Obama Announces Intent to Nominate Five to Serve on the United States District Courts," June 13, 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Library of Congress, "Nomination: PN1777-113," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Senate Judiciary Committee, "Questions for the Judicial Nominee," accessed July 15, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ American Bar Association, "Ratings of Article III Judicial Nominees: 113th Congress," accessed June 17, 2014
- ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Judicial Nominations," accessed July 28, 2014
- ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Results of Executive Business Meeting," September 18, 2014
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by - |
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania 2014-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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| Nominated | |||
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State of Pennsylvania Harrisburg (capital) |
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