[1] On September 25, 1970, John M. Matthias resigned from the Ohio Supreme Court, and Governor Rhodes named Leach as his replacement.

He had to run for election for the remainder of Matthias's term in November 1972, and lost to Democrat Frank Celebrezze.

[1] Leach returned to private practice in 1973 in Columbus with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease.

On August 20, 1978, Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court C. William O'Neill died.

Rhodes again appointed Leach, and he chose not to run for the remainder of the term in November of that year, believing he was not up to the rigors of a statewide campaign.