George N. Leighton

Infobox Person


image_size = 150px
name = George N. Leighton
birth_date = birth date and age|1912|10|22
birth_place = flagicon|USA New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States
death_date =
death_place =
occupation = Retired judge

George Neves Leighton (b. October 22, 1912, in New Bedford, Massachusetts) is a retired African-American judge.

The son of immigrants from the African Cape Verde Islands, Leighton graduated from Howard University in 1940 and from Harvard Law School in 1946. He was in private practice from 1946-1964, was a judge with the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois from 1964-1969, and was a judge with the First District Appellate Court of Illinois from 1969-1976.

In 1975, President Gerald Ford nominated Leighton to a seat on the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. He was confirmed on February 2, 1976, and received commission on February 4, 1976. He retired from this position on November 30, 1987, and returned to the practice of law with the firm of Earl L. Neal & Associates.

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

Leighton, a lifelong chess fan, was married to the late Virginia Berry Quivers and has two daughters, Virginia Anne and Barbara Elaine.

Quote

"The average Hispanic, the average African-American, thinks when he walks into a courtroom where everyone is white besides him, he is convinced the judgment has already been entered against him. They aren't imagining things. There are many communities in America where the cards are stacked against minorities before the case is called. They are relieved when they walk in and see a member of their race sitting on the bench."

References

* [http://www.jonathanpollard.org/2001/100501c.htm Biographical Sketch of George N. Leighton]
* [http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/2585/Geroge_Leighton_a_man_true_to_the_Law Listing from the African-American Registry]
* [http://www.innsofcourt.org/Content/Default.aspx?Id=347 Listing from American Inns of Court]
* [http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex=293&category=lawMakers Listing from the History Makers]
* [http://capeverde-islands.com/leighton_g.html Biographical Sketch]