 On March 24, 1999, Clinton nominated Leonard to be a U.S. District judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.Leonard was nominated to fill the seat vacated in December 1997 by W. Earl Britt, who took senior status.The Raleigh News and Observer reported on March 25, 1999 that the nomination was made at the request of then-Sen. John Edwards, who is a close friend of Leonard.