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.
Practice areas
46 years, 1,000 cases
Languages spoken
English
Leesfield Scolaro, P.A.
2350 S Dixie Hwy
Miami, FL, 33133
Leesfield Scolaro, P.A.
615 1/2 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL, 33040
Leesfield Scolaro, P.A.
1111 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL, 33139
Orlando Of Counsel Law Office
222 West C Comstock Avenue
Suite #215
Winter Park, FL, 32789
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
FL | Member in Good Standing | 1971 | 06/01/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
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 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Founder and Managing Partner | Leesfield Scolaro, P.A. | 1976 - Present |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
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 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
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 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law | law | N/A |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
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 |
Posted by anonymous
August 30, 2017
Posted by Michael Browning
November 3, 2014
Posted by Richard
October 8, 2014
Posted by Richard
October 8, 2014
Roger Simon, Personal injury Attorney on Nov 27, 2014
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.
Sheri Smallwood, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 7, 2014
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.
Roger Simon, Personal injury Attorney on Nov 27, 2014
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.
Sheri Smallwood, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 7, 2014
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.
Richard Steinberg, Personal injury Attorney on Aug 23, 2012
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.
John Day, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 7, 2010
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.