Becker & Poliakoff

Steven B. Lesser Receives 2024 Justice Harry Lee Anstead Award for Florida Bar Board Certified Lawyer of the Year

Steven B. Lesser Receives 2024 Justice Harry Lee Anstead Award for Florida Bar Board Certified Lawyer of the Year

Fort Lauderdale, Florida –June 20, 2024 – Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists and other professionals at offices throughout the East Coast, is pleased to announce that Steven B. Lesser, chair of the firm’s national Construction Law and Litigation practice, was presented with the prestigious Justice Harry Lee Anstead Award on June 20.

This award is given annually to a Florida Board Certified lawyer or judge, and recognizes exemplary professionalism, excellence, character and commitment to The Florida Bar’s certification program and to the practice of law. The Award was presented to Mr. Lesser during The Florida Bar Annual Convention at the Board Certified Lawyers’ Reception on June 20, 2024.

The award is named for Justice Harry Lee Anstead because of his ongoing support for board certification and its value to the legal profession. The Florida Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization and Education (BLSE) created the award to recognize exemplary professionalism, excellence, character, and commitment to the certification program.

The award’s criteria includes substantial and positive influence on professionalism locally, statewide or nationally either through exemplary professional behavior during a career at law serving as a role model for others, or notable projects or activities advancing professionalism; and positive influence on or advancement of Florida Bar board certification; and a history of teaching, mentoring, or providing an outstanding example for younger lawyers.

“No one is more deserving of this significant award than Steve, who works tirelessly to promote board certification, which symbolizes a lawyer’s commitment to professionalism and excellence, for Becker’s lawyers as well as the larger Florida legal community,” said Becker’s Managing Shareholder Gary C. Rosen.

Board Certified in Construction Law, Mr. Lesser’s construction law and litigation practice focuses on governmental construction claims and defense and hotel/condominium disputes. He is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers and in 2022, he was elected to the Board of Governors for a three-year term. He has also received several awards from the Florida Bar and ABA for his work in the construction industry. He is past Chair of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law.

Mr. Lesser is past Chair of The Florida Bar Association’s BLSE, which administers the Bar’s certification plan and provides oversight over all 27 certification committees that each focus upon a specific practice area. He has served in the leadership of a variety of Florida Bar and ABA Committees including past Chair of the Florida Bar Construction Law Certification Committee.

With one of the largest, dedicated teams of board-certified construction attorneys, Becker’s Construction Law Practice Group is well-known nationally for its knowledge of the construction industry and experience effectively protecting the interests of its clients.