Family Law

• Divorce

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  A native of Philadelphia, Jeff graduated from Emory University in Atlanta with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Political Science. While in law school at the University of Florida, he served as Chief Defense Counsel for the University of Florida Honor Court, was a legal research and writing teaching assistant, and served as a certified legal intern with the Public Defender’s Office, where he tried numerous criminal cases. Upon graduating with his juris doctorate in 1986, Jeff began work as a criminal defense attorney in Miami, where he received extensive trial experience.
• DUI/DWI
  Drunk driving cases benefit from the added weight of criminal proceedings. Evidence like breathalyzer results and police reports often play a major role in both the criminal and civil sides of the case. A lawyer will use these resources to strengthen your claim and may seek additional compensation through punitive damages.
• Wrongful Death
  Wrongful death is a heartbreaking event. There is never a chance to say goodbye. Death of a loved one due to the negligence of others can shatter the family members emotionally as well as financially. Things become a lot worse when someone, for his own benefit, does this crime intentionally. All such cases of death come under wrongful death criteria. Contact our experienced wrongful death lawyers today, we can help.
• Traffic Violations
  Another reason for needing an experienced truck accident lawyer is that trucking accidents are more complex than other motor vehicle accidents. Finding the exact cause of a trucking accident frequently necessitates the use of trained experts who can scientifically reconstruct the accident. Furthermore, special rules apply to large commercial trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has promulgated rules governing truck drivers and trucking companies. These rules govern a wide variety of areas including the qualifications and training of truck drivers, as well as a truck driver’s hours of service. The rules are meant to make sure that truck drivers are properly trained and rested when behind the wheel. Sadly, the rules are frequently broken. Trucking accidents often occur due to driver fatigue, inattention, careless driving, speeding, defective equipment, unsecured loads, alcohol and drug use, as well as improper maintenance and inspection of vehicles. Sometimes, it is the trucking company that does not provide adequate training to its drivers. Often, the trucking company places unrealistic expectations and schedules on its drivers, leading to lack of sleep, fatigue, and erratic driving by its drivers.
• Misdemeanors
  However, Florida law only makes the person who fails to store a firearm in this manner criminally liable (a misdemeanor of the second degree) if a minor gains access to the firearm without the lawful permission of his/her parent or legal guardian and causes harm to the safety or general public.  Our clients hope to bring this story to the Florida legislature, so laws can be enacted to prevent anything like this from happening again, extending this law to cover anyone up to the age of 18.
• Assault
• Murder
  Joey Bartolucci was the kind of son any mother would be proud of. A graduate of the University of Florida – and a huge Gator fan – Joey was murdered by a convicted felon. Both Joey’s mother and his sister were hurting and needed to know everything possible would be done to avenge Joey’s death. While the felon confessed to second-degree murder in his State criminal case, was there anything that could be done in the civil courts? After all, the felon’s multi-million dollar assets had been seized by the Federal government in connection with related charges. Regardless, the Firm simply refused to allow this injustice to stand and immediately filed a lawsuit against the felon. After an emotional trial, the jury awarded Joey’s mother over $5.33 million – to the penny what was requested. Thereafter, a petition was filed with the Federal government seeking remission of the felon’s assets to compensate Joey’s mother for her loss.
• Homicide
  Last year, almost 13,000 people died in our country due to homicide, murder/suicide and unintentional shootings. And that last category should be much lower.  Every day, 48 children and teens are shot in due to murders, assaults, suicides & suicide attempts, and unintentional shootings. These shocking statistics reported from Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence remind us how some gun education and more gun safety can save lives.
• Hit and Run
  Our client was stopped for a red light when he was slammed into by an F350 truck that fled the scene.  Thankfully, Good Samaritans were able to get a description, and the fleeing driver was ultimately located by law enforcement.  Unsurprisingly, the outlaw driver had inadequate insurance coverage but, fortunately, our client had purchased uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to protect him from exactly this sort of occurrence.   We retained a forensic accountant to quantify our client’s business loss as a result of his injuries, and we were able to resolve the case without the need of filing a lawsuit.  This case is yet another example of the importance of adequate uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.  It protects you and your family when the other driver either has no liability insurance or, like here, has inadequate insurance coverage.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Legal disputes are common in the business world, but obtaining legal relief can be costly, so some people are reluctant to seek representation.  The hourly billing model of many traditional corporate law firms can be an obstacle for many people and business owners. At Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, we believe in a level playing field where clients have a right to equally strong representation regardless of their resources or billing model.

Employment Law

• Workers Compensation

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  Business litigation on contingency can be used in any type of dispute or context – from litigation involving property, insurance coverage, real estate disputes, to breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud claims.
• Premises Liability
  Most people do not think about their safety when they enter a bank, mall, restaurant or other place of business. Many customers trust that the business that is taking their money will also take reasonable precautions to insure their customers’ safety. Unfortunately, all too often this trust is misplaced. Contact our experienced premises liability lawyers today.
• Property Damage
  If the injured party successfully establishes the necessary elements of a negligence or product liability claim, he or she may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, psychological trauma, day-to-day household expenses, scarring and disfigurement, and property damage. While financial compensation may not be able to restore a person to his or her former health or circumstances, it can go a long way toward ensuring that victims obtain the best medical care possible to help them get started on the road to recovery.
• Condominium Law
  Shepard Lesser served as the Firm’s Senior Partner and was a distinguished member of The Florida Bar for over 55 years. His practice focused on probate, wills and trusts, and elder law. He also handled contract preparation and review, condominium law, and general corporate matters.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  West Palm Beach residents know how quickly life can change due to an unexpected injury. At Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, we’re here to help personal injury victims face the challenges that follow—from medical bills to income loss. Our firm has been a trusted advocate in the community for nearly a century, helping those injured by negligence seek fair compensation and justice. With extensive experience across all personal injury areas, we are prepared to stand by you. Click above to learn more.
• Medical Malpractice
  Joe is the recipient of dozens of national awards, most recently recognized in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, America’s Top 100 Medical Malpractice Litigators, 2023 Lawyer of the Year by the American Institute of Legal Professionals, and 2023 Florida Super Lawyers.
• Auto Accidents
• Dog Bites
  Each year, over one million people are injured while visiting commercial establishments. These incidents include assaults which occur due to insufficient security, falls due to hidden hazards, dog bites, and a host of other dangerous conditions. Often, the property owner was well aware of the dangerous condition but chose to ignore it. You have a right to expect that a business owner will take reasonable measures to correct dangerous conditions and look out for your safety.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Shep continued the Firm’s tradition of community involvement. Over the years, he served as the Vice President of the Gulfstream Council of Boy Scouts of America, President of the Family Services Agency, and was also the President of the local B’nai Brith Chapter. Shep was also very involved with many other organizations, including but not limited to Temple Israel, and the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. Additionally, Shep was a Chairman and a long standing member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Speaker’s Bureau, as well as a member of the Bar Association’s Historical Committee for many years. He frequently lectured on real estate, estate planning, and a number of other legal topics.
• Wills
• Trusts
• Probate
  In 1960, Joe’s son, my father Shepard Lesser joined the firm, turning it into a family-run operation, and “Lesser & Lesser” was born. “Shep” as he is known, expanded the practice by adding real estate and probate law to the firm’s general practice established by his father.  To continue the legacy of giving back, Shep served as Vice President of the Gulfstream Council of Boy Scouts of America, President of the Family Services Agency, in addition to his involvement in numerous other charitable endeavors.  “Shep” Lesser is currently the Firm’s Senior Partner and is a distinguished member of The Florida Bar for over 55 years.