GARY S. LESSER

Managing Partner, Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC

Gary S. Lesser is the Immediate Past President of The Florida Bar, after ten years of service on the Florida Bar Board of Governors. Gary was appointed Chair of the Florida Bar Legislation Committee three years in a row, and also served as Chair of the Professional Ethics Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, Disciplinary Review Committee and the Board Review on Professional Ethics Committees.

Gary is the Firm’s Managing Partner and is one of Florida’s leading personal injury attorneys, handling a large number of high profile personal injury cases over the years, including automobile injury, wrongful/accidental death, premises liability, gun liability, negligent security, product injury, and other related injury cases. Gary has lectured at seminars all over Florida on the topics of personal injury and various ethics issues. He has been interviewed by local and national media regarding personal injury cases, important ethical/legal issues, and his service to the community.

Admitted

United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (1992)
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (1992)
The Florida Bar (1992)

Experience

Managing Partner, May 1992 – present

Managing Partner focusing on personal injury cases with an emphasis on aggressively moving cases forward and providing good client service and communication. The firm’s practice areas include motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, nursing home neglect/abuse, product liability, and premises liability. Oversees the firm’s daily operations, directs the firm’s community involvement, and handles an active caseload.

Law Clerk, Aronovitz Trial Lawyers, 1990 – 1992

Worked directly with Managing Partner Tod Aronovitz, one of Florida’s leading trial lawyers and a former President of the Florida Bar, on all aspects of legal research preparation of correspondence and pleadings and assisting with all aspects of trial preparation.

Miami Dade County Homeless Legal Project, 1990

As part of the Summer Honors Program, I was placed at the Miami Dade County Homeless Legal Project, now known as the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. Conducted legal research and drafted Memos of Law on the issues of overbroad city ordinances affecting the homeless population.

Intern, Senator Lawton Chiles, 1986 – 1987

Handled mail, conducted research and drafted correspondence and position met with visiting constituents and community leader’s papers at the direction of Senate staff.

Awards & Honors

“AV” Preeminent Rating (2004 – Present)
Florida Super Lawyers Personal Injury Law (2006 – Present)
Florida Legal Elite “Hall of Fame” by Florida Trend magazine (2006 – Present)
U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firm (2013 – Present)
Boca Raton Observer Top Lawyer (2023)
Palm Beach Illustrated Top Lawyer (2023)
Florida Bar Tradition of Excellence Award from the Solo & Small Firm Section (2023)”
Best Lawyers Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs (2013 – Present)
LawDragon 500 Leading Plaintiffs Lawyers in America (2019 – Present)
Palm Beach Illustrated Top 100 West Palm Beach (2019 – Present)
Palm Beach Illustrated Top 100 Most Influential Business Leaders (2023)
City & State FL South Florida Power 100 (2023)
South Florida’s Top Rated Lawyers (2023)
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 (2023)
Florida Trend Magazine Florida 500 (2022)
Ed Tancer Distinguished Alumni Award from Education Foundation of Palm Beach County (2023)
Luminary Award from Alpert Jewish Family Service (2023)
Community Leadership Award from In Jacob’s Shoes (2022)
I Am Hillel Award from Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach (2018)
Judge Edward Rodgers Diversity Award from the Palm Beach County Bar Association (2017)
Florida Bar President Award (2022, 2017)
Jurisprudence Award from the Anti-Defamation League (2015)
Harriet Goldstein Award from Families First of Palm Beach County (2014)
Judge Learned Hand Award from AJC Global Jewish Advocacy (2014)
Small Business Person of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches (2014)
Character Counts Business of the Year Award from the United Way of Martin County (2013)
Alumni Leadership Award from the University of Miami School of Law (2012)
Supporter of the Year Award from Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies of Palm Beach County (2010)
Businessperson of the Year Award from the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce (2009 – 2010)
Young Leadership Award from the Jewish Federation (2001)
Israel Unity Award from the State of Israel Bonds (1996)

Legal Community Involvement

The Florida Bar, Admitted 1992

President, June 2022 – June 2023
President-Elect, June 2021 – June 2022
Board of Governors, June 2011 – June 2021
Member of Executive Committee for five years
Legislation Committee Chair for three years
Florida Bar Advertising Committee, Chair for 2010 – 2011 and Vice Chair for 2009 – 2010
Professional Ethics Committee, Joined Committee in 1998, Vice Chair for 2001 – 2003 and Chair for 2003 – 2004
Served on the Communications Committee, Disciplinary Review Committee, Review Committee on Professional Ethics, Constitutional Review Commission Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee
Chair, the 4th DCA Judicial Nominating Commission Screening Committee
Designated Reviewer, 15th Judicial Circuit Grievance Comm “E”
Chair, 15th Circuit Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Committee
Board Liaison, Health Law Section
Board Liaison, Constitutional Judiciary Committee
Board Liaison, Unlicensed Practice of Law Standing Committee

National Conference of Bar Presidents

21st Century Lawyer Committee (2023 – Present)

Palm Beach County Bar Association, November 1992 – Present

Professionalism Committee (Chair for 1999 – 2002 and Co-Chair for 1998 – 1999)
Medical Legal Committee (Chair for 2005 – 2008 and 2010 – 2011)

Media Coverage

Articles about Gary Lesser becoming President Elect:

New Florida Bar President-Elect is Palm Beach County Attorney —
The Palm Beach Post — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
Lesser Becomes Florida Bar President-Elect —
The Florida Bar — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
Gary S. Lesser to Succeed Dori Foster-Morales and Michael Tanner as Florida Bar President in 2022 —
The Vistek — READ ARTICLE ONLINE
Attorney Gary Lesser Named President-Elect Designate of Florida Bar — Town-Crier — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »

Managing Partner Gary S. Lesser Named President-Elect Designate of The Florida Bar —
Cision PR Newswire — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
Personal Injury Attorney Elected Florida Bar President for 2022 Term —
Law 360 Pulse — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
Personnel Note: Gary Lesser Elected Florida Bar President-Elect —
Florida Politics — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
Gary Lesser Chosen to Lead Florida Bar for 2022-2023 — Florida Daily — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
This South Florida Lawyer Just Became President of The Florida Bar — Daily Business Review — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
WPBB Chamber Award
Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches Presents Business Awards — The Palm Beach Post

Other News

Law of Hope — In Florida —
READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
Florida Bar to Honor Seven Attorneys on Treasure Coast for 50 years in the Legal Profession —
TC Palm — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
Attorney Gary Lesser Sworn In To Bar Board Of Governors —
Boca News Now — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
Gary Lesser named Attorney of the Month by Attorney at Law magazine — MyDigital Publication — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »

Law Firm Limelight: Lesser Lesser Landy & Smith —
Lawdragon — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) presented its 2015 Palm Beach Jurisprudence Award to Gary Lesser —
ADL Florida — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
Local attorney remembers Antonin Scalia —
ABC 25 WPBF — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
Law firm Honored for Community Service — The Palm Beach Post
Law Firm Lesser, Lesser, Landy and Smith Celebrate 90th Anniversary and 12 Days of Giving —
What’s Trending Palm Beach — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »
Family of Teen Shot at Slumber Party Sues Friend and Homeowner —
Sun Sentinel — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »

ADL Award

ADL Honors Legal and Law Enforcement Officials —
ADL Florida — READ ARTICLE ONLINE »

Community Leadership and Involvement

Florida Supreme Court Historical Society, Board of Trustees (2023 – Present)
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Board of Directors (2023 – Present)
Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, Executive Committee (2023 – Present); Board Member (2018 – 2023)
Economic Council of Palm Beach County, Board Member (2010 – Present) and former PAC Chair and Executive Committee
Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, Board Member (1995 – 2020), Former Campaign Outreach Chair, Former Business & Professional Division Chair, Former President of the Young Leadership Division, Former Attorneys Division Chair
Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Board of Directors (2015 – 2022)
Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, Board Member (2014 – Present)
Hillel of Palm Beach and Broward Counties, Board Member (2012 – 2015), Honorary Board (2015 – Present)

Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, Business & Professionals (B&P) Cabinet (2012 – 2014), Co-Chair, Breakfast Networking Series Co-Chair (2017 – 2021)
Parent Television Council, National Board Member (2014 – 2021)
American Heart Association, Executives with Heart Chair (2019 – 2021)
Palm Beach Medical Society, Medical Services Board (2018 – 2020)
Florida Atlantic University Foundation, Board Member and served on Investment and Fundraising Committees (2011 – 2017)
Trustee Member of the Stuart Martin County Chamber of Commerce
Trustee Member of Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce
President’s Council Member of Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce
Florida Chamber of Commerce Member
Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Preparatory School, former Fundraising Vice President, former Legal Vice President, and Board Member for over 20 years

Seminars Presented

The Intersection of Ethics and Technology
Legal Ethics
Ethics: Advertising
Ethics: Letters of Protection
Litigation Auto Negligence Cases: Ethics and Discovery Process
Personal Injury: Mediation and Ethical Issues
10 Most Common Issues for Auto Litigation
Diversity and the Path to the Bench: The Appointment and Election Process

Professionalism and The Florida Bar
State of The Florida Bar
Mentoring New Lawyers
Servant Leadership: A Mindset for Success
Greater Access for Legal Services

Education, Academic Honors, & Activities

University of Miami School of Law

1992, Juris Doctorate

Editor in Chief, Res Ipsa Loquitur 1991 – 1992
Associate Editor, Yearbook of International Law 1991 – 1992
Bar & Gavel Society, 1990 – 1992
Phi Alpha Delta 1989 – 1992
Roger Cerino Award Finalist 1992
Summer Honors Program/Florida Bar Iota Fellowship 1990

George Washington University

1989 B.A., International Affairs

Associate Editor, George Washington Hatchet 1988 – 1999
Editor-in-Chief, George Washington Journal 1987 – 1988
Senate President Pro Tempore 1988 – 1989
Contributor WRGW Radio Station 1987 – 1988

Notable Verdicts and Settlements

Confidential Settlement – High School Student Killed by Tractor Trailer
Significant Confidential Settlement – Minor Sexual Abuse Case
Confidential Settlement – Pedestrian Death Case
$6.3 Million Verdict – Motorcycle Accident Death Case
$5 Million Verdict – Wrongful Death Motor Vehicle Accident
Confidential Settlement – Shooting Death of Minor Child
Confidential Settlement – Drunk Driving Wrongful Death Case
$3.1 Million Car Accident case with partial paralysis
$2.1 Million – Policy Limits Recovery/Motor Vehicle Accident
$1.2 Million – Golf Cart Negligence

Personal

Born in West Palm Beach, Florida

Married to Jennifer since 1994

Three children: Lillian Josie, and Rebecca