Michael D. Leeser at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Minnesota · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael D. Leeser
Biography
Professional career
- Employment: Assistant County Attorney, Clay County Attorney’s Office | Moorhead, 2014 – 2024
- Before his judicial appointment, Leeser held the role of an Assistant County Attorney in the Clay County Attorney’s Office from 2014 to 2024, where he prosecuted both adult criminal and juvenile cases and participated in the Clay County Drug Court and Veterans Court teams.
- Employment: Associate Attorney, Lies, Bullis & Hatting Law Firm | Wahpeton, ND 2011 – 2014
- Prior to that, he worked as an associate attorney at Lies, Bullis & Hatting Law Firm in Wahpeton, North Dakota (2011–2014), and as an assistant city attorney for the Wahpeton City Attorney’s Office.
- Employment: Law Clerk, Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards | Mendota Heights, MN 2011
- He also held the role of a law clerk for the Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards in 2011 and was an adjunct professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead Minnesota Judicial Branch
Education
- Utah Valley University — B.S.
- B.A. from Utah Valley University and his J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law.
Additional information
- Appointed/Elected: Appointed September 3, 2024, current term expiring January 4, 2027.
- Appointed by Governor Tim Walz.
- As a district court judge, Leeser presides over cases in the Seventh Judicial District, which includes Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, and Wadena counties.
- He has been actively involved in the community, serving as vice president of the Clay County Bar Association and as a board member of the Moorhead Economic Development Authority.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
Minnesota Judicial Branch remote-hearing guidance says recording or broadcasting a remote proceeding is not authorized except as provided by court rules.
No recording or broadcasting of any remote proceeding is authorized other than as provided by court rules.Remote Hearing Information ↗
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Minnesota court guidance cites Rule 4 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice and says pictures or voice recordings are not allowed except the official court record.
According to Rule 4 of the MN Rules of General Practice for the District Courts, no pictures or voice recordingsSecurity & Weapons Screening - Going to Court ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Remote Hearing Information
Minnesota Seventh Judicial District Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court
Minnesota Seventh Judicial District Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 3, 2026.
Minnesota Judicial Branch official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Minnesota Judicial Branch official judicial roster ↗Remote Hearing Information
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Remote Hearing Information ↗Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court ↗