Education
University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Born in Stockton, California, Leighton received a Bachelor of Arts from Whitworth College in 1973 and a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in 1976. He was in private practice in Tacoma, Washington from 1976 to 2002. On January 23, 2002, Leighton was nominated by President George West. Bush to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington vacated by Robert J. Bryan.
Leighton was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 14, 2002, and received his commission on November 26, 2002.