Leland Chris Nielsen

Who was Leland Chris Nielsen?

Leland Chris Nielsen was a United States federal judge.

Born in Vesper, Kansas, Nielsen received an A.B. from Washburn College in 1941 and was in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, from 1941 to 1946, achieving the rank of Major. He received a J.D. from the University of Southern California Law School in 1946. He was in private practice in Los Angeles, California from 1946 to 1947. He was a Deputy city attorney of Los Angeles, California from 1947 to 1951. He was in private practice in San Diego, California from 1951 to 1968. He was a judge on the Superior Court California for San Diego County from 1968 to 1971.

Nielsen was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. Nielsen was nominated by President Richard Nixon on April 21, 1971, to a new seat created by 84 Stat. 294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 20, 1971, and received his commission the same day. He assumed senior status on June 14, 1985. Nielsen served in that capacity until September 23, 1999, due to his death.