Distinguished Lawyer Memorial Honoree

Hon. Leland Nielsen

An outstanding judge, an accomplished trial lawyer, a distinguished military record in World War II, an avid golfer, a wonderful friend: Judge Nielsen did it all and did it with humor and enthusiasm. Born in Vesper, Kansas, June 14, 1919, Died September 23, 1999 at San Diego, CA. He became a major in the U.S. Army Air corps 1941 – 1946 as a pilot of the A-20 attack bomber in the Aleutian campaign and later D-Day over Normandy and the European Campaign. He received the Purple Heart. He entered the private practice of law in Los Angeles in 1946. Served as Deputy City Attorney in Los Angeles 1947-1951. Joined Luce Forward Kunzel & Scripps in San Diego 1951. Became a partner in the law firm of Schall, Boudreau and Nielsen in 1958. In recognition of his skill as a civil trial lawyer he was invited to be a Fellow in the American College of trial Lawyers. He was a member of the San Diego Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He also served as a Vice President of the San diego County Bar Association. He was appointed to the Superior Court in San Diego in 1968. President Nixon appointed him to the United states District Court for the Southern district of California in 1971. After a distinguished career he took senior status in 1985. He presided over many high-profile cases such as the U.S. National Bank litigation (then largest bank failure in the U.S.). He enjoyed effective legal advocacy. He always did his best to achieve a just result under the law.