Leanna earned her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law. While there, Leanna clerked for the Supreme Court of North Carolina and competed on the Holderness Moot Court appellate advocacy team. While on the team, she was one of four students selected to compete internationally with students of The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. Leanna also worked as a research assistant for Professor Mary-Rose Papandrea for two years, with whom she researched emerging issues in defamation, newsgathering, and the reporter’s privilege.

Leanna worked at Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP as a summer associate before her final year at the University of North Carolina School of Law. She joined MWPP full-time as a Law Clerk in October 2025.