George N. Leighton

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George N. Leighton
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
In office
February 27, 1986 – December 1, 1987
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
In office
February 4, 1976 – February 27, 1986
Appointed byGerald Ford
Preceded byAbraham L. Marovitz
Succeeded byJames Henry Alesia
Personal details
Born
George Neves Leitão

(1912-10-22) October 22, 1912 (age 111)
New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.
Alma materHoward University
Harvard Law School
OccupationRetired judge; World War II veteran military officer

George Neves Leighton (né George Neves Leitão; born October 22, 1912) is a retired American jurist.

Early life and marriage

George Neves Leitão was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts to Ana Silva Garcia and António Neves Leitão, both originally immigrants from Brava, Cape Verde.[1] Leitão learned Cape Verdean Creole and English as a child. His surname was anglicised as "Leighton" by a teacher who claimed she could not pronounce his last name "Leitão". His parents agreed.[2] He grew up in New Bedford and Cape Cod, leaving high school before graduation in order to work on oil tankers. He continued his studies independently and through night school classes until he could enter Howard University.[3]

Leighton married Virginia Berry Quivers; the couple had two daughters, Virginia Anne and Barbara Elaine. After her death, he did not remarry. As of 2015, Leighton has five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.[4][5]

He was a tournament chess player.[6] Leighton turned 104 in October 2016.[7][8]

Career

Leighton graduated in 1940 from Howard University, a historically black college, with an B.A.. He started law school but was interrupted by the United States' entry into World War II. After the war he returned to Harvard Law School and earning an LL.B. in 1946.[3] From 1942-1945, during World War II, Leighton had served in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Captain.

Leighton was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1946. He moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1946 and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1947. Leighton was in private practice from 1946–64, aside from the period during which he served as Assistant State Attorney General of Illinois (1949–51). He served as a Master in Chancery, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois from 1960–64. Leighton was also involved in the Democratic Party.[9]

Leighton was elected as a judge with the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, serving from 1964–69. He was appointed as a judge with the First District Appellate Court of Illinois, serving from 1969-76. Leighton was the first African American to hold this position in the State of Illinois.[3][10]

In 1975 President Gerald Ford nominated Leighton to a seat on the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. This was a seat being vacated by Abraham L. Marovitz. Leighton was confirmed on February 2, 1976, and received commission on February 4, 1976. He served until November 30, 1987. After his retirement from federal service, he returned to the practice of law with the firm of Earl L. Neal & Associates.[10]

Leighton became a Life Member in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1964. He had served the Chicago branch of the NAACP for several years as president and general counsel.

Legacy and honors

  • In 2005 the United States Postal Service located at 695 Pleasant Street in his hometown of New Bedford, Massachusetts, was renamed as the "Honorable Judge George N. Leighton Post Office Building" in his honor.
  • In 2012, the Cook County Criminal Courthouse at 2600 S. California Ave. in Chicago was renamed in his honor as "The Hon. George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building."[11]

Quotes

The difference between God and prosecuting attorneys is that God doesn't think himself a prosecuting attorney....[12]

References

  1. ^ "Juiz de origem cabo-verdiana homenageado nos EUA" (in Portuguese). A Semana online. January 11, 2009.
  2. ^ "George Leighton became US District Court Judge", African-American Registry
  3. ^ a b c "Juiz de origem cabo-verdiana homenageado nos EUA", A Semana, 11 Janeiro 2009; accessed 14 January 2017 Template:Pt
  4. ^ [1], Jonathan Pollard blog
  5. ^ [2], Chicago Lawyer Magazine, 01 July 2010
  6. ^ [3], Chicago Chess blog
  7. ^ Manson, Patricia (2012-10-22). "Leighton reaches the century mark". Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  8. ^ Lauraann Wood (2016-04-27). "State high court commission honors Bauer". Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Retrieved 2016-07-12.
  9. ^ A Biographical Sketch George N. Leighton
  10. ^ a b http://www.nealandleroy.com/firm-history/
  11. ^ George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse Directory Cook County building named for legendary judge
  12. ^ Address to NAACP, November, 1964

Sources

External links


Legal offices
Preceded by Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
1976–1986 		Succeeded by
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