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Ronald Leighton

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Ronald Leighton
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Prior offices:
United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
Years in office: 2019 - 2020

Years in office: 2002 - 2019
Education
Bachelor's
Whitworth College, 1973
Law
University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 1976
Personal
Birthplace
Stockton, CA

Ronald B. Leighton was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. He joined the court in 2002 after being nominated by President George W. Bush (R). Leighton assumed senior status on February 28, 2019. He retired from the court on August 31, 2020.[1]

Biography

Early life and education

A native of Stockton, California, Leighton graduated from Whitworth College with his bachelor's degree in 1973 and from the University of California, Hastings College of Law with his J.D. in 1976.[1]

Professional career

Judicial career

Federal judicial nomination

Western District of Washington

See also: Federal judges nominated by George W. Bush
Nomination Tracker
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Nominee Information
Name: Ronald B. Leighton
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
Progress
Confirmed 295 days after nomination.
ApprovedANominated: January 23, 2002
ApprovedAABA Rating: Substantial Majority Well Qualified, Minority Qualified
Questionnaire:
ApprovedAHearing: October 7, 2002
Hearing Transcript: Hearing Transcript
QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more)
ApprovedAReported: October 8, 2002 
ApprovedAConfirmed: November 14, 2002
ApprovedAVote: Voice vote

Leighton was nominated by President George W. Bush (R) on January 23, 2002, to a seat vacated by Judge Robert Bryan. The American Bar Association rated Leighton Substantial Majority Well Qualified, Minority Qualified for the nomination. Hearings on Leighton's nomination were held before the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 7, 2002, and his nomination was reported by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on October 8. Leighton was confirmed on a voice vote of the U.S. Senate on November 14, 2002. He received his commission on November 26, 2002. Leighton retired from full-time service, assuming senior status, on February 28, 2019.[1][2][3]

Noteworthy cases

Washington R-71 (2009)

See also: United States District Court for the Western District of Washington (Family PAC v. Washington Public Disclosure Commission, 3:09-cv-05662-RBL)

On October 27, 2009, Judge Leighton ruled against Washington Family PAC in a lawsuit challenging Washington State's $5,000 in 21 days rule. The group sued the Washington Public Disclosure commission over the law that prohibits large contributions over $5,000 in the last three weeks of the election. The judge ruled that it was not in the court's best interest to alter existing campaign rules so late in an election cycle.[4]

See also

External links


Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by:
Robert Bryan
Western District of Washington
2002–2019
Seat #7
Succeeded by:
David G. Estudillo