Leonard Leo Biography: Leonard Anthony Leo born November 1965 is an American lawyer, businessman, and influential conservative legal activist. He served for many years as vice president of the Federalist Society and now co-chairs its board of directors alongside Steven Calabresi. Leo has built a powerful network of conservative legal organizations, primarily funded by anonymous donors. Among these are The 85 Fund and the Concord Fund, which act as financial centers for related political nonprofits. He played a key role in Clarence Thomas’s Supreme Court confirmation and led advocacy efforts for the confirmations of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.
Leonard Leo Biography
Leonard Leo was born in November 1965 in Northport, New York, into a devout Italian-American Catholic family. His father, a pastry chef, passed away when Leo was very young. When he was five, his mother remarried, and the family moved to Monroe Township, New Jersey. During high school, both Leo and his future wife, Sally, were recognized as “Most Likely to Succeed,” a testament to their early promise and foreshadowing Leo’s future influence within conservative legal circles. Raised with strong Catholic values and a deep sense of family, Leo’s upbringing helped shape his commitment to conservative principles, which later became the foundation of his career and activism.
Leonard Leo Biography 2025 Details
| Born | 1965 (age 59–60)
Northport, New York, U.S.
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| Education | Cornell University (BA, JD) |
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| Political party | Republican |
| Movement | American Conservatism |
| Board member of |
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| Spouse | Sally |
| Children | 7 |
| Category | Business Man Biography |
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About Leonard Leo
Leonard Anthony Leo is an American lawyer, businessman, and conservative legal activist. He was the longtime vice president of the Federalist Society and is currently, along with Steven Calabresi, the co-chairman of the organization’s board of directors.
Leonard Leo Wiki
- Born: 1965 (age 60 years), Northport, New York, United States
- Spouse: Sally Leo
- Children: Margaret Mary Leo
- Education: Monroe Township High School, Cornell University, Cornell Law School
- Board member of: > Federalist Society; National Catholic Prayer Breakfast; Liberty Central; Catholic Association; Becket Law Fund
- Movement: American Conservatism
- Political party: Republican
Early Life
Leonard Anthony Leo was born in November 1965 on Long Island, New York, and raised in suburban New Jersey. His grandfather, an Italian immigrant, held a vice president position at the clothing company Brooks Brothers. Leo was brought up in a devout Catholic household. His father, a pastry chef, passed away when Leo was a toddler. At age five, after his mother remarried an engineer, the family relocated to Monroe Township, New Jersey, where Leo spent most of his upbringing. He graduated from Monroe Township High School in 1983, where both he and his future wife, Sally, were voted “Most Likely to Succeed” in their senior yearbook.
Leo went on to attend Cornell University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1987. During his undergraduate years, he interned in the office of Senator Orrin Hatch. He then pursued a law degree at Cornell Law School, graduating with a J.D. in 1989. After law school, Leo clerked for Judge A. Raymond Randolph on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Personal Life
Leonard Leo is a practicing Roman Catholic. He and his wife, Sally, have seven children. Tragically, their daughter Margaret passed away in 2007 at the age of 14 due to spina bifida. Leo has often spoken about the deep and lasting impact her life had on him. He is also a knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a Catholic lay religious order. In October 2022, Leo received the John Paul II New Evangelization Award from the Catholic Information Center. More recently, in May 2023, he was honored with an honorary doctorate from Benedictine College.
Education and Early Career
Leo earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University in 1986. While at Cornell, he interned for Senator Orrin Hatch, a Republican from Utah, which sparked his interest in law and politics. He then continued at Cornell Law School, where he graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1989. After law school, Leo clerked for Judge A. Raymond Randolph on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In the early 1990s, Leo joined the Federalist Society, a conservative legal organization. Over more than two decades, he played a key role in guiding its growth and expanding its influence.
Career Development and Major Achievements
Leo’s career took off through his work with the Federalist Society, where he quickly rose to prominence thanks to his strategic vision and leadership. Serving as Executive Vice President and later as Co-Chairman, Leo was central to broadening the Society’s impact within conservative legal and political spheres. One of Leo’s most notable contributions has been his role in the judicial nomination process. He played an instrumental part in securing appointments for six U.S. Supreme Court Justices: Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, John Roberts, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. His efforts during the Trump administration were particularly influential in establishing a conservative majority on the Court, dramatically reshaping the judicial landscape.
Beyond judicial appointments, Leo founded and led several key conservative legal funding networks, including The 85 Fund, the Concord Fund, and the Marble Freedom Trust. These organizations have raised and managed substantial financial resources—often through anonymous donors—supporting a wide array of conservative causes. This funding model has sparked both acclaim and criticism.
Significant Milestones
Leo’s network received a landmark $1.6 billion donation from Chicago businessman Barre Seid, one of the largest political gifts in U.S. history. This unprecedented funding boost has been directed towards advancing conservative values and countering liberal influence in sectors like media, education, and politics.
Current Role and Influence
As of 2025, Leonard Leo remains a central figure in conservative legal and political arenas. His organizations actively support judicial nominations, promote conservative policies, and challenge what they view as liberal overreach. Leo’s influence has expanded beyond the courts into broader cultural arenas, where he advocates for more aggressive conservative strategies in media and education, aiming to reshape American society along ideological lines.
Trivia and Personal Notes
In high school, Leo earned the nickname “Moneybags Kid” due to his exceptional talent for fundraising—a skill that would prove invaluable in his political career. Additionally, his late daughter Margaret’s artwork remains cherished by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, highlighting the close personal ties Leo has fostered throughout his career.
Philanthropy and Legacy
Leo’s philanthropic efforts largely align with his conservative legal agenda, focusing on religious freedom, pro-life advocacy, and reshaping the judiciary. His leadership has been instrumental in steering the federal judiciary toward conservative interpretations of the Constitution. Although his funding methods and strategies have been controversial, his impact on the legal and political landscape is undeniable.
Future Outlook and Cultural Impact
Looking forward, Leonard Leo continues to advance conservative causes through judicial appointments, policy advocacy, and cultural influence. His work aims to strengthen and expand the conservative movement’s presence across the United States. By challenging what he perceives as liberal dominance in media and education, Leo’s broader strategy seeks to realign American culture with conservative values.
Leonard Leo Net Worth 2025
Although precise details are not publicly available, Leonard Leo’s net worth is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. His wealth has been accumulated through consulting work, involvement with nonprofit organizations, and strategic financial dealings with conservative groups. Reflecting his position as a prominent conservative leader, Leo owns a home on Mount Desert Island in Maine. This property has connections to his network’s activities, including contributions to local efforts opposing offshore wind developments.
FAQs
What is Leonard Leo’s age?
Leonard Leo was born in November 1965, which makes him 59 years old as of 2025.
What is Leonard Leo known for?
Leonard Leo is best known for his influential role in shaping the U.S. judiciary through his work with the Federalist Society and his involvement in the nomination of several conservative Supreme Court justices.
How did Leonard Leo become influential in conservative politics?
Leo gained influence through his strategic leadership in the Federalist Society, as well as his ability to build and manage powerful conservative legal networks that fund judicial and policy advocacy.
What role did Leonard Leo play in Supreme Court appointments?
Leo was instrumental in the confirmation processes of six conservative Supreme Court justices, helping to establish a long-term conservative majority on the Court.
Where did Leonard Leo go to college and law school?
Leonard Leo earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Cornell University, completing his J.D. at Cornell Law School in 1989.
What organizations has Leonard Leo founded or led?
Leo has led and helped establish several major conservative legal funding groups, including The 85 Fund, the Concord Fund, and the Marble Freedom Trust.