Judge David D. Leshner: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Overview

The Hon. David D. Leshner is a magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of California[1]. Leshner was appointed to the bench by the judges of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California on August 15, 2022[2].

Since joining the bench, Leshner has handled both civil and criminal matters[3]. He has described settlement work as a rewarding part of judicial service because it allowed direct engagement with parties as they worked to resolve disputes[3].

Educational background

Leshner earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1994. At Washington and Lee University School of Law, he completed a J.D. in 1999. Leshner was admitted to the State Bar of California (June 12, 2000)[4], and his admissions have also included the United States District Court for the Central District of California (2001), the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2001), and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California (2005).

Career history

After graduating from law school, Leshner began his legal career as a judicial law clerk to A. Howard Matz of the United States District Court for the Central District of California (1999 to 2000). He then entered private practice in Los Angeles, where he worked until 2007[3].

In 2007, Leshner joined the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California as an assistant United States attorney[3]. His work there included prosecutions involving violent crime, racketeering, drug trafficking, immigration, fraud, tax evasion, and child exploitation[3]. Leshner later served as chief of the office's criminal division from 2019 to 2021[3]. In 2021, he became first assistant United States attorney, overseeing the office's day-to-day operations until he assumed judicial office[3].

His professional activities also included service as a lawyer representative for the Southern District of California from 2018 until he assumed judicial office[3]. Leshner also received the U.S. Department of Justice's John Marshall Award in Trial Litigation[3].

Personal life

Leshner's family moved frequently during his youth because his father served as a doctor in the Navy[3]. Outside the courtroom, his community involvement has included service on the San Diego High School Mock Trial Competition Committee[3].

References

[1] United States District Court for the Southern District of California — Judges
[2] Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit — Annual Report 2022
[3] Federal Bar Association San Diego Chapter — Judicial Profile: David Leshner
[4] State Bar of California — Attorney Search: David D. Leshner