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Ira H. Leesfield

Personal injury Attorney at Miami, FL

5.0   4 reviews
Free consultation
Free consultation
  • Licensed for 51 years
    State FL
    Acquired 1971
    Status
    Member in Good Standing No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Ira

Learn Ira’s areas of practice.

1
Practice area
  1. Personal injury
    100%

    47 years, 1,000 cases

Ira Leesfield is founder and managing partner of Leesfield Scolaro, P.A., with offices in Miami, Key West, South Beach and Central Florida.  Recently, Mr. Leesfield received the prestigious “Judge Learned Hand Award” presented by American Jewish Committee in recognition of his values and standards of excellence associated with Judge Learned Hand and the principles he represented: the rights of the individual and the importance of democratic values in an orderly society.  Big Brothers/Big Sisters will honor Ira with the “Miracle Maker” award for his tireless support and contribution to the organization in April 2010. 

He is board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocates and now serves as board member of the certification board; a past President of the Florida Justice Association, formerly known as,  Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers; an EAGLE Patron; and now serves as Senior Florida Governor of the American Association for Justice, serving over 20 years.

In 2001, Mr. Leesfield received the Anti-Defamation League’s prestigious “Jurisprudence Award.”  He was also honored by the Florida Region of American ORT as the first recipient in Florida of the “American ORT Jurisprudence Award” for his lifetime of dedication to his profession, his nation and his community, and recognizing his outstanding initiative in prosecuting cases that benefit public interest.  In 2002, he was also awarded the “Melvin Belli Award” for outstanding practitioner of advocacy and for exercising extraordinary initiative in prosecuting cases that benefit public interest.

In 2004, the Florida Justice Association  recognized his lifetime achievement by awarding the Al J. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award for his life-long crusade in helping the less fortunate and his commitment to preserving our civil justice system.  He was nominated as "Lawyer of the Year" by the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, after he obtained a $19.8 million verdict against Honda Corp., and selected as one of America’s Top Ten Trial Lawyers.  He has published numerous articles and treatises in the area of trial strategy while appearing as a guest commentator on national news programs, including ABC’s Nightline with Ted Koppel.  He is past Chair of The Florida Bar CLE Committee; serves as a life member of The Roscoe Pound Foundation; and is an adjunct professor of law at the University of Miami School of Law. 

Ira Leesfield served President Clinton in two important posts from 1992 to 2000, the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets.  He co-authored the President’s Report on Holocaust Assets.  In 1989, he was appointed as Chair of the Third District Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Committee and was reappointed for a second term in 1995 by Governor Chiles.   In 1998, he served as a member of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission.

Mr. Leesfield has twice been awarded the prestigious Wiedman Wysocki medal for outstanding advocacy.  He is a Life Member of the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation.   Mr. Leesfield was the keynote speaker at the Florida Supreme Court Justices Teaching Institute  in Tallahassee, Florida where top educators from around the State of Florida convene annually for an intensive study of the judicial system.  Recipient of the 2003 Crystal Eagle Award of the Florida Justice Association, in recognition for his exceptional generosity on behalf of Florida's families. He is Immediate Past  President of  the Melvin M. Belli Society. 

 

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Contact Ira

Leesfield Scolaro, P.A.
Leesfield Scolaro, P.A.
Orlando Of Counsel Law Office
222 West C Comstock Avenue
Suite #215
Winter Park, FL, 32789
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Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  4 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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Posted by anonymous | August 30, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Auto Wreck
We were in a terrible wreck in the Fl Keys. We were given this lawyers name and contacted him. He immediately called us back and told us what to do. Very professional.
Posted by Michael Browning | November 3, 2014
The best you will find
I am a licensed attorney in the State of Florida. I began my practice in Key West, Florida in 1986. Soon thereafter I meet Ira Leesfield who’s firm did personal injury work. My field was limited to mostly real estate and real estate development and had no interest in pursuing personal injury law. Having said that, I think it is important for all attorneys to be able to provide various services to clients including trying to find the best attorney to represent the client’s interest in areas they have no experience. Even with a limited practice I would be asked about personal injury cases. Those clients of mine who hired Ira’s firm, without exception, got excellent results. From minor injuries to horrific injuries, I found, and still find, that Ira’s firm will evaluate the case fairly and provide the client with a reasonably expectation of the process involved and will avoid giving false hope where there is none. Also Ira’s firm consistently keeps in constant touch with the client as well as referring attorneys so each knows the progress of a case. Finally I can tell you that if I personally were injured, Ira Leesfield is the first person I would call.
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Posted by Richard | October 8, 2014
Ira Leesfield top PI Atty in Florida - no doubt
Ira Leesfield and his firm have done wonders for my clients and me personally in solving personal injury issues and gaining excellent recoveries even in the most difficult PI cases. They do their utmost in even smaller matters since they feel that every case deserves all they have. When observers say that Ira and his firm are tops in Florida, I can only agree, having worked with many, many different PI firms all over the Sunshine State over many years.
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Posted by Richard | October 8, 2014
The Best...
I have known Ira for several decades and without a doubt he represents the best of the profession- a never ending commitment to his clients and a perpetual desire for learning and sharing his expertise with his colleagues.

Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 120 minutes
  • Contingency 25%-40%

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Founder and Managing Partner
  • Leesfield Scolaro, P.A.
  • 1976 - Present

Education

  • University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law
  • law
  • N/A

Associations

  • Melvin M. Belli Society
  • Past President
  • N/A
  • Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
  • Past President
  • N/A
  • Association of Trial Lawyers of America
  • Board of Governors
  • N/A

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Judge Learned Hand Award
  • American Jewish Committee
  • 2010
  • Al J. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Florida Justice Association (Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers)
  • 2004
  • Crystal Eagle Award
  • Florida Justice Association (Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers)
  • 2003
  • Melvin Belli Award
  • Melvin M. Belli Society
  • 2002
  • Jurisprudence Award
  • Anti-Defamation League
  • 2001
  • American ORT Jurisprudence Award
  • Florida Region of American ORT
  • 2001
View all awards

Publications

  • Trial Magazine
  • Show that the defense expert doesn't know the facts
  • 2004
  • Trial Magazine
  • Expert Dies on Witness Stand
  • 2003
  • Trial Magazine
  • Admissibility of Expert Testimony: What's Next?
  • 2000
  • The Florida Bar Journal
  • Ex Parte Communications by Government Lawyers with Represented Parties, Proposed Changes to Rule 4.2 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct
  • 1998
  • Trial Magazine
  • Legal Toolbox: Using Newsletters to Market Your Firm
  • 1998
  • The Florida Bar Journal
  • Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress: Where Are We Now?
  • 1997
  • Trial Magazine
  • Preparing Tortuous Interference Claims
  • 1995
  • Trial Magazine
  • Innkeeper Liability for Sexual Assaults
  • 1994
  • Trial Magazine
  • Honesty, the Best Policy
  • 1993
  • The Florida Bar Journal
  • It's Time To Dispose Of The Statute Of Repose, Finally
  • 1992
  • Best of Trial Products Liability, ATLA Press, Library of Congress Catalog
  • Motorcycle Products Liability: Sidestand and Crashworthiness Litigation Strategies
  • 1991
  • Academy Press, Handbook of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
  • The Summary Judgment Motion and Hearing
  • 1991
  • Trial Lawyers Quarterly
  • Litigating Against A Foreign Defendant
  • 1991
  • Florida Civil Trial Practice (4th Ed.), The Florida Bar
  • Cross-Examination
  • 1991
  • ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Law Journal
  • Annual Survey of Products, General Liability and Consumer Law
  • 1990
  • Trial Magazine
  • Litigating Against a Foreign Manufacturer
  • 1990
  • Product Safety & Liability Reporter
  • Litigating Against the Foreign Defendant
  • 1990
  • ABA-TIPS publication
  • Market Share and Concerted Action Theories
  • 1989
  • Florida Bar Journal
  • Punitive Damages: Buried Alive
  • 1989
  • The Florida Bar - Civil Trial Practice Supplement
  • Cross-Examination
  • 1988
  • Trial Magazine
  • Expanding Horizons in Motorcycle Products Liability Litigation
  • 1988
  • The Advocates Primer
  • The Summary Judgment Motion and Hearing
  • 1988
  • Trial
  • Negligence of Mental Health Professionals/What Conduct Breaches Standards of Care
  • 1987
  • Products Liability/Commentary & Cases - Callaghan & Company
  • Motorcycle Sidestand Litigation
  • 1986
  • Trial
  • The Sidestand Case
  • 1986
  • Heat, Police Benevolent Association
  • Why Police Officers Can't Recover For Injuries Due To Someone Else's Negligence
  • 1985
  • The Community Reporter
  • Who's Closing the Courthouse Door and Why?
  • 1985
  • The Advocate
  • Corporate Liability for Punitive Damages: Where Are We?
  • 1985
  • The Florida Bar - Trial Lawyers Section Journal
  • Sovereign Immunity for Negligent Inspections: Will the Supreme Court Resurrect Modlin v. City of Miami Beach?
  • 1984
  • The Florida Bar Civil Trial Practice Manual
  • Cross-Examination
  • 1983
  • The Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section Journal
  • Choice of Law: Application of the "Significant Relationship" Test to Aviation Multi-State Litigation ‑‑ Bishop v. Florida Specialty Paint Revisited
  • 1982
  • Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Journal
  • Wrongful Death Act in Florida
  • 1980
  • The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education
  • Winning, Losing and Settling the Tough Liability Personal Injury Case
  • 1978
  • Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
  • Municipal Immunities in Florida
  • 1976
  • Florida Law Revision Commission
  • Revised Florida Criminal Code
  • 1969
View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Seminar.
  • Effective Use of Expert Witnesses
  • 1984
  • Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention
  • An Overview of Products Liability
  • 1984
  • ATLA National College of Advocacy, Yale University Law School
  • "Psychologists and Psychiatrists as Witnesses", and "Use of Pleadings and Instructions in Summation;"
  • 1984
  • Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Products Liability Seminar
  • Motor Vehicle Litigation
  • 1983
  • University of Miami School of Medicine
  • General Principles of Genetics in the Law
  • 1982
  • Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Products Liability Seminar
  • Use of Demonstrative Evidence in Products Liability
  • 1982
  • Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Spring Seminar
  • Law of Medical Proof
  • 1982
  • Young Lawyers Section Convention, The Florida Bar Winning Through Preparation Seminar
  • A New Road to Discovery ‑‑ Public Agencies and Public Bodies
  • 1981
  • The Florida Bar CLE Damages Seminar
  • Florida Law of Sovereign Immunity
  • 1981
  • Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Annual Convention
  • Civil Liability for Criminal Acts
  • 1981
  • The Florida Bar CLE No-Fault Insurance Seminar
  • Legislative Changes and Recent Appellate Decisions ‑‑ The Florida No‑Fault Act
  • 1980
  • The Florida Bar CLE Seminar, Basics of Personal Injury Litigation
  • Case Evaluation, Initial Investigation and Conference with Client
  • 1979
  • The Florida Bar CLE Seminar
  • Evaluation and Preparation of Your Difficult Liability Case
  • 1978
  • Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Annual Convention
  • Lawyer Liability ‑‑ Legal and Practical Aspects
  • 1978
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (4)
Given (1)
Endorse Ira
Personal injury Attorney | Nov 27
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Our firm has retained Ira to represent our clients on personal injury matters that have arisen in Florida. Ira and the members of his firm are excellent attorneys who do highly professional work and obtain great results."
Personal injury Attorney | Oct 07
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I am pleased to enthusiastically endorse this lawyer. I have known Ira for many years and have had the privilege of working with him on several cases. Without exception, he has exhibited tremendous competence as well as the highest ethics and the utmost in professionalism."
Personal injury Attorney | Aug 23
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
"Without hesitation, I endorse this lawyer. Having worked for him while in law school and sent cases to him since, I know first hand how good of an attorney he is."
Personal injury Attorney | Feb 07
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Ira and I have known each other for over 20 years and have worked together on a very complicated matter that was resolved with outstanding success. He is my go-to personal injury lawyer in South Florida and the Keys. He is influential in his community, a lawyer who truly understands the privilege of practicing law and the responsibility of giving back that comes with that privilege."
Personal injury

Avvo Contributions

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Miami Personal injury Lawyer Ira H. Leesfield
Ira H. Leesfield
Personal injury Attorney
Miami, FL
Licensed for 51 years
Free Consultation