Leigha Simonton
Member

With exceptional strategic foresight, a tireless work ethic, and sought-out, experienced judgment gained from a distinguished, two-decade career at the highest levels of the U.S. Department of Justice, Leigha Simonton focuses her practice on government and internal investigations, corporation compliance, white-collar crime, and complex legal issues at all stages of the trial and appellate process.
Prior to joining Dykema, Leigha served as the presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, leading one of the largest districts in the nation. She is respected at the highest levels by fellow attorneys and courts as an expert strategist in investigations, trials, and appeals and thrives in fast-moving high-stakes legal environments. Unsurprisingly, given her background, Leigha is also regarded as one of the most authoritative experts in Northern District of Texas practice and as one of the preeminent advocates in appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
“I loved the team dynamic I had in the Department of Justice, and now I have that same team dynamic with my clients. I am 100% on their side, and nothing matters more to me than helping them solve their problems, shore up vulnerabilities, strategize on the best path forward, and advocate for them at the trial and appellate levels—and I bring 20 years of government-side experience and well-honed judgment and expertise to bear for them every day.”
-
- Yale Law School, J.D.
- The University of Texas at Austin, B.A., with highest honors
-
Bar Admissions
- Texas
-
-
Texas Council on Family Violence, Board Member
-
North Texas Crime Commission, Law Enforcement Education Committee Member
-
Mac Taylor Inn of Court, Bencher
-
Northern District of Texas Bench Bar Conference, Host Committee Member
-
Dallas Women Lawyers Association, Member & Mentor
-
Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit, Member
-
National Association of Former United States Attorneys, Member
-
Areas of client focus
Practices
Appellate and Critical MotionsCommercial LitigationGovernment Investigations and Corporate ComplianceLitigationIndustries
Automotive and Transportation
Join us for a webinar focused on the Trump Administration’s increasing emphasis on the False Claims…

Avoiding Prosecution: New DOJ Policies and the Benefits of Self-Disclosure
On May 12, 2025, Matthew Galeotti, who was recently named head of the Criminal Division at the U.S.…

Importers Beware: DOJ Escalates Customs Fraud Enforcement Under FCA
The Department of Justice is ramping up its use of the False Claims Act to target importers accused…