Michigan Supreme Court Justice. Born on a farm in Unadilla Township, Michigan, Leland attended Michigan State Normal College at Ypsilanti, Michigan before graduating from the University of Michigan law school. Before entering a private law practice in Ionia, Michigan, he taught school in Marine City, Michigan and became superintendent of schools there between 1906 and 1908. From 1908 until 1910 he served as the superintendent of schools in Ely, Nevada. He served at assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County, Michigan until being appointed an assistant attorney general in 1913. Michigan Governor Alex Groesbeck appointed him to the Ingham County circuit court bench in 1921, where he remained until being appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court in 1945 by Governor Harry Kelly. Before his elevation to the state's highest court, Leland was called upon to serve as head of a one-man grand jury investigation into corruption within state government. Trial lawyer, and later governor, Kim Sigler served as the special prosecutor. Scores of elected officials, lobbyists, police and court officials were eventually convicted, but not before the murder of a prominent witness who had been granted immunity. Members of the famous Purple Gang were convicted for conspiracy in the murder. Leland's tenure on the supreme court lasted until 1963. During that time he served as Chief Justice in 1947, 1955, and 1962 to 1963.
Michigan Supreme Court Justice. Born on a farm in Unadilla Township, Michigan, Leland attended Michigan State Normal College at Ypsilanti, Michigan before graduating from the University of Michigan law school. Before entering a private law practice in Ionia, Michigan, he taught school in Marine City, Michigan and became superintendent of schools there between 1906 and 1908. From 1908 until 1910 he served as the superintendent of schools in Ely, Nevada. He served at assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County, Michigan until being appointed an assistant attorney general in 1913. Michigan Governor Alex Groesbeck appointed him to the Ingham County circuit court bench in 1921, where he remained until being appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court in 1945 by Governor Harry Kelly. Before his elevation to the state's highest court, Leland was called upon to serve as head of a one-man grand jury investigation into corruption within state government. Trial lawyer, and later governor, Kim Sigler served as the special prosecutor. Scores of elected officials, lobbyists, police and court officials were eventually convicted, but not before the murder of a prominent witness who had been granted immunity. Members of the famous Purple Gang were convicted for conspiracy in the murder. Leland's tenure on the supreme court lasted until 1963. During that time he served as Chief Justice in 1947, 1955, and 1962 to 1963.
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