Lesley B. Wells
Encyclopedia
Lesley Brooks Wells was appointed as a federal judge in 1994 and since February 2006 has continued to serve as a senior judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
.
Wells earned a B.A.
from Chatham College (now Chatham University) in 1959 and a Juris Doctor
degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
at Cleveland State University
in 1974. She was employed as a federal court intern through the Women's Law Fund from 1973 to 1974.
Wells maintained a private law practice for six years (1975-1978 and 1980-1983) in Cleveland, interrupted by two years (1979-1980) as director of the ABAR III Civil Rights Litigation Support Center at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
. She was adjunct professor at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
(1980-1981) and adjunct assistant professor, College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University
(1980-1983 and 1990-1992).
After more than a decade as a Cuyahoga County
Court of Common Pleas
judge (1983-1994), former U.S. President Bill Clinton
nominated her on November 19, 1993, for a judgeship vacated by John Michael Manos
. She was confirmed by the Senate
on February 10, 1994, and received her commission the following day. Twelve years later (February 14, 2006) she became a senior judge.
Wells is married to Charles F. Clarke, a partner in the multinational law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey
.
United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio is the federal trial court for the northern half of Ohio...
.
Wells earned a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Chatham College (now Chatham University) in 1959 and a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
The Cleveland–Marshall College of Law is the law school of Cleveland State University, located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school traces its origins to the founding of Cleveland Law School in 1897 which, in 1946, merged with the John Marshall School of Law, founded in 1916, to become Cleveland–Marshall...
at Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University is a public university located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It was established in 1964 when the state of Ohio assumed control of Fenn College, and it absorbed the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1969...
in 1974. She was employed as a federal court intern through the Women's Law Fund from 1973 to 1974.
Wells maintained a private law practice for six years (1975-1978 and 1980-1983) in Cleveland, interrupted by two years (1979-1980) as director of the ABAR III Civil Rights Litigation Support Center at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
The Cleveland–Marshall College of Law is the law school of Cleveland State University, located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school traces its origins to the founding of Cleveland Law School in 1897 which, in 1946, merged with the John Marshall School of Law, founded in 1916, to become Cleveland–Marshall...
. She was adjunct professor at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
The Cleveland–Marshall College of Law is the law school of Cleveland State University, located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school traces its origins to the founding of Cleveland Law School in 1897 which, in 1946, merged with the John Marshall School of Law, founded in 1916, to become Cleveland–Marshall...
(1980-1981) and adjunct assistant professor, College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University is a public university located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It was established in 1964 when the state of Ohio assumed control of Fenn College, and it absorbed the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1969...
(1980-1983 and 1990-1992).
After more than a decade as a Cuyahoga County
Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Cuyahoga County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. It is the most populous county in Ohio; as of the 2010 census, the population was 1,280,122. Its county seat is Cleveland. Cuyahoga County is part of Greater Cleveland, a metropolitan area, and Northeast Ohio, a...
Court of Common Pleas
Ohio Courts of Common Pleas
The Ohio Courts of Common Pleas are the trial courts of the state court system of Ohio.The courts of common pleas are the trial courts of general jurisdiction in the state. They are the only trial courts created by the Ohio Constitution . The duties of the courts are outlined in Article IV, Section...
judge (1983-1994), former U.S. President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
nominated her on November 19, 1993, for a judgeship vacated by John Michael Manos
John Michael Manos
John Michael Manos was a United States federal judge for 30 years.-Early life and education:Manos was born to Maria and Michael E. Manos on December 8, 1922, in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in the Tremont neighborhood. Like many Depression-era Cleveland kids, he worked odd jobs at the West Side...
. She was confirmed by the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on February 10, 1994, and received her commission the following day. Twelve years later (February 14, 2006) she became a senior judge.
Wells is married to Charles F. Clarke, a partner in the multinational law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey is an international legal practice with 36 offices in 17 countries. Squire, Sanders & Dempsey International Association does not itself provide, directly or indirectly, any legal or other client services...
.