Gary S. Lesser
Meet Gary
Managing Partner, Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC
Gary S. Lesser is the President of The Florida Bar and Managing Partner of Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC, a third-generation personal injury law firm with 95 years of dedication to helping people who have been injured due to the carelessness and negligence of others.
Gary is one of Florida’s foremost personal injury attorneys, leading a team of skilled trial lawyers who practice law with professionalism, integrity, ethics and a commitment to personal client service.
Gary’s dedication to The Florida Bar is longstanding, with 24 years of service, including more than a decade on the Board of Governors, chairing the Legislation and Professional Ethics committees, and serving on the Strategic Planning, Disciplinary Review, Communications and Board Review on Professional Ethics committees.
Gary is highly respected in the legal field and often serves as a guest lecturer and media commentator on the topics of personal injury and professional ethics. He is a dedicated community servant, having held leadership positions in numerous nonprofit and civic-oriented organizations including the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County and the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County. Gary also served as chair of the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Professionalism and Medical Legal committees.
A native of West Palm Beach, Gary graduated from Forest Hill High School before earning a degree in International Affairs from The George Washington University. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law, where he was a member of the Bar & Gavel Society, and he served as Editor-in-Chief of the law school’s newspaper.
Gary is happily married to his wife, Jennifer, with whom he shares three daughters, Lillian, Josie and Rebecca.
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)
Awards & Honors
- “AV” Preeminent Rating (2004 – present)
- Best Lawyers; Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs (2013 – present)
- LawDragon 500; Leading Plaintiffs Lawyers in America (2019 – present)
- Florida Legal Elite “Hall of Fame” by Florida Trend magazine (2006 – present)
- Florida Super Lawyers; Personal Injury Law (2006 – present)
- Palm Beach Illustrated; Top 100 West Palm Beach (2019 – present)
- U.S. News & World Report; Best Law Firm (2013 – present)
- “I Am Hillel” Award from Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach (2018)
- Recipient of the “Judge Edward Rodgers Diversity Award” from the Palm Beach County Bar Association (2017)
- Recipient of Florida Bar President “Kitchen Cabinet” Award (2017)
- Recipient of the “Jurisprudence Award” from the Anti-Defamation League (2015)
- Recipient of the Families First of Palm Beach County “Harriet Goldstein Award” (2014)
- Recipient of the AJC Global Jewish Advocacy “Judge Learned Hand Award” (2014)
- Recipient of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches “Small Business Person of the Year Award” (2014)
- Recipient of the United Way of Martin County Character Counts “Business of the Year” Award (2013)
- Recipient of the University of Miami School of Law “Alumni Leadership Award” (2012)
- Recipient of the Healthy Mothers Coalition Healthy Babies of Palm Beach County “Supporter of The Year” Award (2010)
- Recipient of the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce “Business Person of the Year Award” (2009 – 2010)
- Recipient of Jewish Federation Annual “Young Leadership Award” (2001)
- Recipient of “Israel Unity Award” State of Israel Bonds (1996)
Legal Community Involvement
The Florida Bar, Admitted 1992
- President, June 2022 – present
- 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
- The 4th DCA Judicial Nominating Commission Screening Committee Chair
- Designated Reviewer, 15th Judicial Circuit Grievance Comm “E”
- Chair, 15th Circuit Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Committee
- Chair, 4th DCA JNCV Selection Committee
- Board Liaison, Health Law Section
- Board Liaison, Constitutional Judiciary Committee
- Board Liaison, Unlicensed Practice of Law Standing Committee
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)
Florida Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Board Member and served on Investment Committee (2005 – 2008)
Florida Justice Association, Member since 1993
- Eagle Patron
- Former Member of the CLE Committee
University of Miami School of Law Alumni Association
- Former Vice President
- Board member for many years
American Bar Association
- Longtime member, ABA Fellow (2016 – present)
Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County
- The Attorneys Division Chair
Martin County Bar Association
- Professionalism Committee
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 »
- Gary Lesser Elected President-Elect Designate of The Florida Bar — Historic City News — 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 »
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 — read article online »
- Florida Man Keeps His Grandfather’s Memory Alive Thanks to Friend’s Surprise Hanukkah Gift — People — read article online »
- 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 »
WPBB Chamber Award
- Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches Presents Business Awards — The Palm Beach Post — read article online »
ADL Award
- ADL Honors Legal and Law Enforcement Officials — ADL Florida — read article online »
Community Leadership and Involvement
- 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 (1995-2021), Former Campaign Outreach Chair, Former Business & Professional Division Chair, Former President of the Young Leadership Division, Former Attorneys Division Chair
- Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, Board Member (2018 – present)
- Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Board of Directors (2015 – present)
- Parent Television Council, National Board Member (2014 – 2021)
- Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, Board Member (2014 – present)
- Palm Beach Medical Society, Medical Services Board (2018 – present)
- American Heart Association, Executives with Heart Chair (2019 – 2021)
- Florida Atlantic University Foundation, Board Member and served on Investment and Fundraising Committees (2011 – 2017)
- 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)
- Trustee Member of Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce
- President’s Council Member of Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce
- Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Preparatory School, former Fundraising Vice President, former Legal Vice President, and Board Member for over 20 years
- Trustee Member of the Stuart Martin County Chamber of Commerce
- Anti-Defamation League, Jurisprudence Award Winner and multiple Jurisprudence Event Chair
- Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Former Trustee
- Florida Chamber of Commerce Member
- Former Board Member of the Mandel Jewish Community Center Board of Directors
- Former Member of the Temple Beth David Board of Trustees
- Former Member of Challenging the Future, benefitting UB Kinsey Palmview Elementary School of the Arts.
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
Education
University of Miami School of Law
1992, Juris Doctorate
The George Washington University
1989 B.A., International Affairs
Academic Honors and Activities
University of Miami School of Law
- 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
The George Washington University
- Associate Editor, George Washington Hatchet 1988 – 1999
- Editor-in-Chief, George Washington Journal 1987 – 19881
- Senate President Pro Tempore 1988 – 1989
- Contributor WRGW Radio Station 1987 – 1988
Experience
Managing Partner, May 1992 – present
Managing Partner of 10 lawyer firm 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.
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
