Judge Nathan G. Leedy

  • Education: University of California, Santa Barbara (B.A.); University of San Diego School of Law (J.D.)
  • Bar Admission: Admitted to the California State Bar in 2003 (Bar No. 227355)
  • Appointment: Appointed by Governor Jerry Brown on June 28, 2016 (succeeding Judge Lloyd L. Hicks)
  • Legal Career: Tulare County Public Defender’s Office (Deputy Public Defender and later Supervising Attorney, 2004–2016)
  • Current Assignment: Department 20 at the South County Justice Center (Porterville) – handling felony criminal cases in southern Tulare County
  • Notable Cases: 2021 child molestation case (Armando Kassaz, convicted on 64 counts, sentenced to 960 years-to-life); 2022 bench-trial homicide case (second-degree murder conviction in the Sonia Hughes case); among other serious felony trials
  • Judicial Philosophy: Emphasizes practical, collaborative case resolution and efficient court management
  • Political Affiliation: Identified as a Democrat (judicial office is nonpartisan)
  • Community Involvement: Board member of ProYouth (youth enrichment non-profit); active in local court-community education and outreach

Education

Nathan Leedy earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He later attended the University of San Diego School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 2003. His academic background in both public university and private law school provided a foundation for his legal career.

Bar Admission

Leedy was admitted to practice law in California in 2003, receiving State Bar number 227355. He has remained an active member of the California State Bar since that time, maintaining good standing while serving on the bench.

Legal Career

After law school, Leedy joined the Tulare County Public Defender’s Office in 2004. He served as a deputy public defender representing indigent defendants in criminal cases. Over twelve years in the office, he took on increasing responsibility and ultimately became a Supervising Attorney. In that role he oversaw other public defenders and helped manage the office’s criminal defense caseload.

Appointment

On June 28, 2016, Governor Jerry Brown appointed Nathan Leedy to serve as a judge on the Tulare County Superior Court. He filled the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Lloyd L. Hicks. His appointment brought a career public defender into the judiciary, reflecting Brown’s choice of a prosecutor and a defender to balance experience on the bench.

Current Assignment

Judge Leedy is assigned to Department 20 at the South County Justice Center in Porterville (serving southern Tulare County, including Porterville and Lindsay). His department handles felony criminal cases on the “south county” calendar. In this capacity he presides over preliminary hearings, motions, jury trials, and sentencings for serious felonies arising in the Porterville/Lindsay jurisdiction.

Notable Cases

In 2021 Judge Leedy presided over the high-profile case of Armando Kassaz, who was convicted of 64 counts of lewd acts on children under 14. Leedy sentenced Kassaz to an aggregate term of 960 years-to-life in prison by running consecutive 15-year terms on each count. In late 2022, Leedy conducted a bench trial in a cold-case homicide: he found Visalia resident Joseph Allen Hughes guilty of second-degree murder for the 2006 strangulation of his wife. Hughes was later sentenced to life in prison (with parole eligibility after 15 years). Leedy’s courtroom has also heard other major felony cases, ranging from gang violence to serious sexual offenses.

Judicial Philosophy

Judge Leedy is known for a practical, problem-solving approach on the bench. Colleagues note that he encourages attorneys to resolve matters cooperatively when possible, and he is willing to “broker deals” and facilitate settlements. He believes in keeping the court calendar moving efficiently, intervening to help counsel reach agreements and clear congested dockets. In court he maintains a businesslike but fair demeanor, working collaboratively with lawyers to expedite case resolution while safeguarding the rights of all parties.

Political Affiliation

Although judicial positions in California are officially nonpartisan, Nathan Leedy is identified with the Democratic Party. He was appointed by a Democratic governor, and records note that he was active in Democratic circles at the time of his appointment.

Community Involvement

Outside the courtroom, Judge Leedy is active in community and youth programs. He serves on the Board of Directors of ProYouth, a local non-profit organization focused on expanded learning and after-school programs for young people in the Visalia-Porterville area. He has also participated in court-sponsored outreach and educational initiatives, such as justice programs in local schools and community legal workshops, reflecting a commitment to mentoring youth and improving public understanding of the justice system.