Background
Weinshienk, Zita Leeson was born on April 3, 1933 in St. Paul. Daughter of Louis and Ada (Dubov) Leeson.
Weinshienk, Zita Leeson was born on April 3, 1933 in St. Paul. Daughter of Louis and Ada (Dubov) Leeson.
Student, University Colorado, 1953. Bachelor magna cum laude, University Arizona, 1955. Juris Doctor cum laude, Harvard University, 1958.
Fulbright grantee, University Copenhagen, Denmark, 1959. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Loretto Heights College, 1985. Doctor of Laws (honorary), University Denver, 1990.
Probation counselor, legal adviser, referee, Denver Juvenile Court, 1959-1964; judge, Denver Municipal Court, 1964-1965; judge, Denver County Court, 1965-1971; judge, Denver District Court, 1972-1979; judge, then senior judge, United States District Court Colorado, Denver, since 1979.
Precinct committeewoman Denver Democratic Committee, 1963-1964. Board directors Crime Stoppers. Fellow Colorado Bar Foundation, American Bar Foundation.
Member American Bar Association, Denver Bar Association, University Arizona Alumni Association (Distinguished Citizen's award 1994), Colorado Bar Association, National Conference Federal Trial Judges (executive committee, past chair), District Judges' Association of 10th Circuit (past president), Colorado Women's Bar Association (Mary Lathrop award 1995), Federal Judges Association, Denver Crime Stoppers Inc. (board of directors), Denver League of Women Voters, Women's Forum Colorado, Harvard Law School Association, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Order of Coif (honorary Colorado chapter).
Married Hubert Troy Weinshienk, July 8, 1956 (deceased 1983). Children: Edith Blair, Kay Anne, Darcy Jill. Married James N. Schaffner, November 15, 1986.