Lesley Simpson Brooks Wells (born October 6, 1937) is a former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Lesley Brooks Wells
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
In office
February 14, 2006 – October 2, 2015
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
In office
February 10, 1994 – February 14, 2006
Appointed byBill Clinton
Preceded byJohn Michael Manos
Succeeded bySara Elizabeth Lioi
Personal details
Born
Lesley Simpson Wells

(1937-10-06) October 6, 1937 (age 87)
Muskegon, Michigan, U.S.
EducationChatham College (BA)
Cleveland State University (JD)

Early life and education

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Wells was born Lesley Simpson Wells in Muskegon, Michigan.[1] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chatham College (now Chatham University) in 1959 and a Juris Doctor from the Cleveland State University College of Law in 1974. She was employed as a federal court intern through the Women's Law Fund from 1973 to 1974.[2]

Career

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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 State University College of Law. She was adjunct professor at the Cleveland State University College of Law (1980–1981) and adjunct assistant professor, College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University (1980–1983 and 1990–1992).[2]

Judicial service

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After more than a decade as a Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas judge (1983–1994), President Bill Clinton nominated her on November 19, 1993, for a judgeship vacated by John Michael Manos.[2] She was confirmed by the Senate on February 10, 1994, and received her commission the following day. Twelve years later, on February 14, 2006 she became a senior judge.[2] She retired from active service on October 2, 2015.

Personal

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Wells was married to the late Charles F. Clarke, a partner in the multinational law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey. He died in January 2014.

References

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  1. ^ Hearings before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, Second Session, on Confirmations of Appointees to the Federal Judiciary, January 27; February 3, 24; March 2, 3, 10, and 16, 1994. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1995. p. 113.
  2. ^ a b c d "Wells, Lesley Brooks - Federal Judicial Center".
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Legal offices
Preceded by Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
1994–2006
Succeeded by