Candidate for Judge on the 10th District Court of Appeals

Dear Friends, 

Today I am announcing my candidacy for Judge on the 10th District Court of Appeals for the term beginning February 9th, 2023. 

In seeking this position, I will be able to continue my efforts to address the deficiencies and inequities in our legal system. I pledge to interpret and apply the laws of Ohio in a fair and impartial manner while maintaining the highest levels of integrity and independence at the 10th District.

For your review, I have included below a short biography. I believe that the combination of my experience in private practice, as a national mediator, and as a five-term Ohio Lawmaker makes me uniquely qualified for this position.

Our responsibility is to ensure that everyone who finds themselves in Ohio’s legal system is treated equally with respect and dignity. I humbly ask for your support in this effort.

Sincerely, 

David Leland

David Leland

David Leland is a partner at Carpenter, Lipps, and Leland LLP, a law firm of 38 attorneys with offices in Columbus and Chicago. He has been elected to five terms in the Ohio House of Representatives and serves as Ranking member of the House Criminal Justice Committee. He has played an integral role on issues such as bail reform, sentencing, domestic violence, increasing public defenders, and the elimination of the death penalty for those with severe mental illness.

Because of this leadership, David Leland was appointed to the Ohio Supreme Court Task force on Conviction Integrity and Post-Conviction Review, which will recommend changes to provide avenues of relief for those wrongfully convicted. 

Leland served as general counsel to the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA) representing union members across Ohio. He also served as Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party and received a Presidential appointment to the Federal Services Impasses Panel, whose charge it is to resolve impasses between labor unions and Federal agencies.

David Leland has been the recipient of numerous awards for his work in our community. These include; The Ohio State University Alumni Citizenship Award; Environmental Protector, from The Ohio Environmental Council for his leadership in opposing HB6; Best Lawyers of Central Ohio, Columbus Business First; Legislator of the Year, Ohio Public Transit Assn.; 2021 Difference Maker, Columbus Jewish News; 2021 Social justice Award for Public Service. 

An avid baseball fan, David Leland has served 17 years on the Board of Trustees for the community owned Columbus Clippers baseball team.

David Leland is a graduate of Columbus North High School, The Ohio State University and Capital Law School. He was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1978. He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and a sustaining member of the Columbus Bar Association.