Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC

Attorney Gary S. Lesser

Bar Admissions:

• Florida, 1992
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida, 1992
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, 1992

Education:

• University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida, 1992
  
  • J.D.
  • Honors: University of Miami School of Law Alumni Association
  • Honors: Vice President, Student Recruitment and Placement & Executive Board Member
  • Law Journal: Res Ipsa Loquitur, Editor-in-Chief
• George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, 1989
  
  • B.A.
  • Major: International Affairs

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• 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 Rules, Communications Committee, Disciplinary Review Committee, Review Committee on Professional Ethics, Constitutional Review
  • Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee (2022) which produced the Bar’s Three Year Strategic Plan
  • Chair of the 4th DCA Judicial Nominating Commission Screening Committee
  • Designated Reviewer, 15th Judicial Circuit Grievance Comm “E”
  • Chair of the 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
  
  • Communications Committee (2024 – Present)
  • 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)
• Sidney A. Stubbs Professionalism Award from Palm Beach County Bar Association (2024)
• Iron Arrow Honor Society University of Miami (2023)
• Florida Trend Magazine Florida 500 (2024, 2023, 2022)
• “AV” Preeminent Rating (2004 – Present)
• Best Lawyers Best Law Firm (2010 – Present)
• Ed Tancer Distinguished Alumni Award from Education Foundation of Palm Beach County (2023)
• Luminary Award from Alpert Jewish Family Service (2023)
• Florida Legal Elite “Hall of Fame” by Florida Trend magazine (2006 – Present)
• Florida Super Lawyers Personal Injury Law (2006 – Present)
• Best Lawyers Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs (2013 – Present)
• Palm Beach Illustrated Top Lawyer and Top 100 Most Influential Business Leaders (2023)
• Boca Raton Observer Top Lawyer (2023)
• Tradition of Excellence Award from the Florida Bar Solo & Small Firm Section (2023)
• City & State FL South Florida Power 100 (2023)
• South Florida’s Top Rated Lawyers (2023)
• National Trial Lawyers – Civil Plaintiff – Top 100 (2024, 2023)
• Community Leadership Award from In Jacob’s Shoes (2022)
• Florida Bar President Award (2022, 2017)
• LawDragon 500 Leading Plaintiffs Lawyers in America (2019 – Present)
• Palm Beach Illustrated Top 100 West Palm Beach (2019 – Present)
• 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)
• 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)

Languages Spoken:

• English

Attorney Joseph B. Landy

Bar Admissions:

• The Florida Bar (1994) 
• United States District Court, Southern District of Florida (1997) 
• United States District Court, Middle District of Florida (2005) 
• New York (1994) 
• United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania (1993) 
• United States District Court, Western District of New Jersey (1993) 
• New Jersey (1993)- Inactive 
• Pennsylvania (1994)- Inactive 

Education:

• Yeshiva University, Cardozo School of Law, Member Moot Court Board (1993) 
  • J.D.
• University of Pittsburgh (1990) 
  
  • B.A. in Economics and Business

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Association for Justice 
• Florida Justice Association 
• Palm Beach County Justice Association 
• Palm Beach County Bar Association 
• American Board of Trial Advocates 

Languages Spoken:

• English

Attorney Michael S. Smith

Bar Admissions:

• United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, including trial bar (1990) 
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida (1990) 
• Supreme Court of the United States (1990) 
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (1986) 
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (1985) 
• The Florida Bar (1985) 

Education:

• Duke University School of Law, 1985
  • J.D., with high honors
• Virginia Tech, 1982
  • B.S. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, magna cum laude

Languages Spoken:

• English

Attorney Glenn E. Siegel

Bar Admissions:

• United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (1997) 
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (1997) 
• The Florida Bar (1996) 

Education:

• Shepard Broad College of Law, Nova Southeastern University, 1996 
  • J.D.
• Indiana University Bloomington, 1993
  • B.A. in History

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Association for Justice
• Florida Justice Association
• Palm Beach County Bar Association

Languages Spoken:

• English

Attorney Jeffrey F. Gordon

Bar Admissions:

• The Florida Bar (1986)
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (1986)
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (1986)

Education:

• Levin College of Law, University of Florida, 1986
  • J.D.
• Emory University, B.A., 1983
  
  • B.A.. in Philosophy and Political Science

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Palm Beach County Justice Association 
• South Palm Beach County Bar Association 
• Florida Justice Association
• The Florida Bar, Legal Needs of Children Committee (2022 – Present)  
• The Florida Bar, Grievance Committee member (2018 – 2020)  
• South Palm Beach County Bar Association, Co-Chairman Civil Procedure Committee (2018 – Present)  
• American Board of Trial Advocates  
• Friends of Foster Children of Palm Beach County, President (2024 – Present) Board of Directors (2018 – Present)  
• Champions Empowering Champions, Board of Directors (2023 – Present), Chair (2019-2023)  
• American Association of Caregiving Youth, Vice Chair Board of Directors (2019 – Present)  
• Flite Center, Vice Chair Board of Directors (2024 – Present); Board of Directors Member (2022 – Present)
• City of Boca Raton Library Advisory Board, Member (2022 – Present)  
• Emory University National Alumni Board of Directors (2024 – Present)  
• Emory University Palm Beach County Alumni Network, President (2021 – 2024); Board Member (2021 – Present)
• Viner Scholarship Foundation, Mentor (2020 – Present)  
• Boca Raton Downtown Business Alliance, Board of Directors (2019 – Present)  
• Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, Leads Group Member (2018 – Present)  
• Foster Child Project, Volunteer Attorney (2012 – Present)  
• Kids In Distress, Foster Parent (2010 – Present)
• Guardian ad litem, Volunteer Attorney (2008 – Present)  

Languages Spoken:

• English

Attorney Steven J. Clarfield

Bar Admissions:

• The Florida Bar (1991) 
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida 
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida 
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida 

Education:

• Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law, 1991
• J.D.
• The University of Florida, 1988
• Bachelor of Arts
• Boca Raton Community High School, 1984

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• South Palm Beach County Bar Association 
• Florida Lawyers Network, South Palm Beach County Chapter 
• Palm Beach County Bar Association 
• Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section 
• Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator (2019)
• Adolph & Rose Levis JCC – Board Chair (Current)
• South Palm Beach County Bar Association D&I Committee Chair – (2020 – 2023)
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Government Relations Advisory Committee (2020 – 2021)
• Rotary Club of Boca Raton – Member (Current) – Director and Membership Committee Chair (2020 – 2022)
• Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce – Trustee (2019 – 2020)
• Boca Helping Hands – Job Mentor Volunteer (2019 – 2020)

Languages Spoken:

• English

Attorney Joshua D. Ferraro

Bar Admissions:

• United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (2005) 
• The Florida Bar (2004) 

Education:

• Stetson University, College of Law, 2004
  • J.D.
• in Political Science, University of Florida, 2001
  • B.A.

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Martin County Bar Association (2004 – Present) 
• Connect Florida, Member Class VI (2015 – Present)
• Humane Society of the Treasure Coast – Board Member (2023 – Present)  
• United Way of Martin County – Board of Directors (2023 – Present)  
• Martin County Police Athletic League – President (2017 – 2024)  
• Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee (2020 – 2022) Chair in 2022  
• Children’s Services Council of Martin County – Chair 2019 – 2021  
• Keep Martin Beautiful – (2009 – 2022) on the Board of Directors  
• Tykes & Teens Martin County – (2012 – 2019) President from (2012 – 2014)

Languages Spoken:

• English

Attorney Imani M. Williams

Bar Admissions:

• The Louisiana Bar (2019)
• The Florida Bar (2020)
• The U.S. Supreme Court (2024)

Education:

• Southern University Law Center, 2019
  • J.D.
• Southern University and A&M College, 2015
  
  • B.A. in Journalism

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors 15th Circuit, Executive Board Secretary (2024 – Present)
• Palm Beach County Justice Association Young Lawyers Board of Governors (2023 – Present)
• F. Malcolm Cunningham Bar Association Young Lawyers Secretary (2024 – Present); Section Chair (2023 – 2024); Member (2020 – Present)
• Palm Beach County Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers Association Social Media Committee Chair (2023 –2024)  Member (2022 – Present)
• Palm Beach County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Board (2021 – Present); Member (2021 – Present)
• Palm Beach County Chapter of FAWL Constitution Day / Law Week Committee Co-Chair (2022 – 2023) Member (2022 – Present)
• Florida Justice Association (2022 – Present)
• American Association for Justice (2023)
• Palm Beach County Hispanic Bar Association (2021 – 2024)

Languages Spoken:

• English

Attorney Charles E. Geary

Bar Admissions:

• The Florida Bar (1982)
• Washington D.C. Bar (inactive)

Education:

• Loyola University School of Law, 1982
  • J.D.
• University of Florida, 1979
  • B.A. in Economics

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• The Florida Bar
• Washington D.C. Bar Association (inactive)
• Martin County Bar Association
• Adventure Cyclists Association
• League of American Bicyclists
• Florida Bicycle Association
• Wandering Wheels Bicycle Association
• Rails To Trails Conservancy
• Fuller Center Bike Adventure Association
• Licensed Mortgage Broker

Languages Spoken:

• English

Attorney Michael V. Baxter

Bar Admissions:

• The Florida Bar (1996)
• United State, Southern District of Florida (2015) (Inactive)

Education:

• Nova Southeastern University
  • Juris Doctorate
• Florida State University
  • Degree in Finance

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Association for Justice
• Florida Justice Association
• Palm Beach County Justice Association
• Palm Beach County Bar Association
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• Florida Justice Association, Medical Malpractice Committee (2023-2025)
• “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell for the highest level of legal ability and ethics (2009-2025)
• Florida Super Lawyers (2014-2025)
• The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Attorneys (2020-2025)
• Jupiter Magazine Top Medical Malpractice Attorney (2024)
• Top Verdict Top 10 Medical Malpractice Verdict in Florida (2024)
• Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Florida Legal Elite, Civil Trial, Florida Trend Magazine (2012-2021)
• Top Verdict Top 10 Medical Malpractice Verdict in the United States (2020)
• Top Verdict Top 20 Medical Malpractice Verdict in Florida (2017)

Attorney Austin R. Diaz

Bar Admissions:

• Florida (2021)
• Florida Supreme Court (2021)
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (2021)

Education:

• Florida State University College of Law, 2021
  • Juris Doctor
• Florida State University, 2018
  • Bachelor of Science in Political Science & International Affairs
  • Undergraduate Certificate in Emergency Management

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Craig S. Barnard American Inn of Court, Executive Board Member (2024 – present)
• Palm Beach County Bar Association Judicial Relations Committee (2022 – Present); Law Related Education Committee (2022 – Present); Civil Rules Committee; Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee; Bench Bar Conference Co-Chair
• The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division (2021 – Present)