[citation needed] Leeson previously held elected public office as a member of the city council in Bethlehem, where he served as vice president and chair of the finance committee.

He has served as chair of the boards of the Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation, PBS 39, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, the Lehigh–Northampton Airport Authority, and the Janet Johnston Housenick and William D. Housenick Memorial Foundation.

[4] On July 24, 2014, a hearing before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary was held on his nomination.

[6] On December 3, 2014, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed a cloture motion on his nomination.

On December 4, 2014, the United States Senate invoked cloture on Leeson’s nomination by a 66–26 vote.