Honoring Leighton Tegland, past-ABOTA chapter president

March 9, 1947 - March 27, 2025

Leighton B. Tegland was born in Windom, MN, the son of Vernon and Jessica Tegland. He was the youngest of four children: Sue, Lenore, and Bette.

Leighton grew up in Riverside, CA, graduated from Poly High School, and attended college in San Diego at California Western University, earning his degree in 1969. He then attended law school at the University of Southern California, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1972. He was admitted to the State Bar of California on December 14, 1972; to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1984; and to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, in 1990.

He joined the law firm of Thompson & Colgate in Riverside in 1973, where he practiced civil trial law. Leighton eventually became the senior partner of the firm and earned an AV Preeminent rating of 5.0/5.0 stars from Martindale-Hubbell.

Leighton was a past president of the San Bernardino/Riverside Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and of the Riverside County Barristers. He was a member of the Defense Research Institute, served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, and was also a member of the Southern California Association of Health Risk Managers. He served as a referee on the State Bar Court for 10 years and was a panel mediator for the Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division Two.

After retiring from the firm in 1998, Leighton continued in solo legal practice in Palm Desert. In 2005, he began a second career in real estate with Tarbell Realtors, later joining Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Indian Wells.

Leighton was first married to Place Downey, with whom he had two children: Leighton Tegland, Jr., and Travis Tegland. In 1992, he married Gina Martlaro, and they had one child, Jess Tegland. Leighton was also blessed with six grandchildren: Leighton B. Tegland III, Place Lauren Tegland, Maisie Tegland, Brooks Tegland, Elle Tegland and London Tegland.

Personally, Leighton was the life of the party. He loved sailing, snow skiing, and hunting. A natural musician, he enjoyed playing several guitars and the piano. He cherished time spent camping in the desert with family and friends and loved the RV lifestyle, always eager to travel and reconnect with loved ones. He was an avid collector of guns and wildlife art, and he gave generously to many charitable organizations, especially those focused on helping children.

In real estate, Leighton found joy not only in helping his clients but also in mentoring fellow agents. He was a daily presence in the office, sharing his expertise, teaching contracts, answering questions, and encouraging others truly the office's biggest cheerleader.

Leighton loved people and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services were held on Friday, May 16, 2025, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 47225 Washington Street, La Quinta, CA 92253.

A Celebration of Life was held at the home of Adrian Grant on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

This article was written by the Tegland family.