Leonard F. Lesser

Len Lesser prosecutes and defends business litigation in federal and state courts around the country, and arbitration tribunals administered by JAMS, AAA, ICDR, FINRA, and other ADR providers. He focuses on business torts; copyright, trademark, trade secret and unfair competition claims; partnership, joint venture, shareholder, and LLC member disputes; corporate transaction, post-closing, and busted deal disputes; contract and UCC disputes; financial services litigation; securities litigation; insurance disputes; real estate disputes; and employment litigation. He also prosecutes and defends toxic tort, product liability, premises liability, medical liability, professional liability and personal injury claims. 

Recent jury trial verdicts include a million dollar jury verdict in a medical malpractice case tried in Nassau County Supreme Court involving claims of emotional damages suffered by an intellectually disabled young woman who was endangered by sexually inappropriate conduct committed by her primary care physician as a result of his own neurological disability.  This verdict is believed to be one of the highest medical malpractice verdicts in Nassau County involving non-physical injuries. See Jane Doe v. Mohan Sharma, M.D., et al., 62 Misc.3d 627, 89 N.Y.S.3d 548 (N.Y. Sup. 2018).

Recent bench trial verdicts include a $7 million verdict after a federal court bench trial in the EDNY against the principal of an investment firm, piercing the corporate veil of that firm and finding him liable as the alter ego of the investment firm on its Judgments in favor of Len's client, an S&P 100 multinational corporation, and for $2.2 million in intentional fraudulent conveyances.  Emerson Electric Co. v. Asset Management Associates of New York, Inc., 16-cv-1390, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 131016, 2023 WL 4850528 (E.D.N.Y., July 28, 2023).  In the underlying actions, Len successfully represented the client's subsidiary in its sale of telecommunication businesses in defense of post-closing claims asserted by the buyer, including claims that seller misrepresented the value of inventory as part of the sale.  After defeating the buyer's claim for fraud based rescission of the entire transaction, as well as the agreement's arbitration provision (Asset Mgmt. Assocs. v. Emerson Telcom. Prods. LLC, 08-CV-2506, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9434 [E.D.N.Y., Jan. 25, 2011]), the dispute was arbitrated in 2013.  The Arbitrator ultimately rejected the buyer's claims which included $100 million in alleged punitive damages, and found in favor of Len's client on its claims for a post-closing adjustment.  In 2014, the Court entered Judgment against the buyer for $1.9 million. Asset Mgmt. Assoc. of N.Y., Inc. v. Emerson Telecom. Prods. LLC, 2014 NY Jury Verdict Review LEXIS 5 (E.D.N.Y., Jan. 9, 2014).  Then, in 2015, following a separate federal court trial in a related breach of contract action involving the buyer's use of a Mexican assembly plant, Len obtained another Judgment and attorney fee award of $1.9 million against the buyer. Emerson Electric Co. v. Asset Management Associates of New York, Inc., 08-cv-1489, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 98401 (E.D.N.Y., July 28, 2015). 

In another complex series of multistate litigations, Len obtained a multimillion-dollar judgment against an oil and gas tycoon in a complex joint venture dispute, and subsequent contempt judgment against the judgment debtor for violation of an antisuit injunction, affirmed on appeal with appellate attorneys' fees and costs awarded. L&R Exploration v. Grynberg, 927 N.Y.S.2d 816 (Sup. 2011), aff'd,90 A.D.3d 538, 934 N.Y.S.2d 707 (1st Dep't 2011); see also Grynberg v. L&R Exploration Venture, 261 P.3d 731 (Wyo. 2011).  Following the New York judgments entered against the tycoon, Len successfully tried an alter-ego and fraudulent conveyance case in Colorado against the tycoon’s businesses, resulting in another multimillion dollar judgment and attorney fee award, affirmed on appeal.  L&R Exploration v. CCG, LLC, et al., 351 P.3d 569 (Colo. App. 2015).  

Len's jury trial defense verdicts include Marchetti v. Branson Ultrasonics Corp., Case No. 126010929 (CT Sup. Ct., Danbury), where Len obtained a defense verdict after jury trial on behalf of a global developer, manufacturer, and distributor of plastic joining, industrial cleaning, and ultrasonics processing equipment.  The plaintiff claimed she suffered traumatic brain injuries and other damages resulting from an accident on the defendant's property.  After the close of evidence, the Court granted a directed verdict to the defense on 3 of 5 counts, and the jury then rendered a defense verdict on the two remaining counts. See Marchetti v. Branson Ultrasonics Corp., 2014 Jury Verdicts LEXIS 13821 (Sup. Danbury, May 13, 2014); Jury Rejects Security Guard’s Claim After Deer Cause Accident, CT Law Tribune (Dec. 3, 2014).

Recent notable settlements include a $14 million settlement in 2022 Len obtained for the Firm's client in complex Manhattan commercial lease dispute; a $3.2 million settlement Len obtained for his client in 2023 during jury selection in Nassau County Supreme Court involving a cervical fracture his client suffered after attempting a racing start from a pool starting block; a $2.5 million settlement obtained during a three week jury trial in a medical malpractice and wrongful death case in Nassau County Supreme Court where the decedent died from pulmonary embolism; and a $2.35 million settlement in a premises security case in New York County Supreme Court where the plaintiff was brutally raped in her apartment by an intruder (2018 Nat. Jury Verdict Review LEXIS 18).

Recent appellate reversals include Jane Doe v. Turnmill, LLC, et al., 2021 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 2611 (1st Dep't 2021)(reversing summary judgment awarded to the operator and owner of a premises on tort claims asserted against them by a female patron who was horrifically raped in the women's basement bathroom in the premises); Gray v. Denny's Corp., 535 Fed. Appx. 14 (2d Cir. 2013)(reversing summary judgment awarded to Denny's restaurants on tort claims asserted by a patron who was criminally assaulted by a group of other patrons); Flores v. Velez, 111 A.D.3d 599, 974 N.Y.S.2d 134 (2d Dep't 2013)(reversing preclusion order in a case claiming negligent supervision of a church volunteer who allegedly committed sexual misconduct); Lisbey v. Pel Park Realty, 99 A.D.3d 637, 952 N.Y.S.2d 882 (1st Dep't 2012)(reversing summary judgment awarded to a building owner in connection with claims asserted by a tenant who was injured by a ceiling collapse); Spielman v. Grace Gospel Church of Suffolk, Inc., 77 A.D.3d 816, 910 N.Y.S.2d 105 (2d Dep't 2010), leave denied, 17 N.Y.3d 703, 929 N.Y.S.2d 94 (2011)(reversing denial of motion to dismiss claims asserted against a Church in connection with alleged adult sexual misconduct by a pastor); and Yeshiva Ohr Torah Community School, Inc. v Zurich Am. Ins. Co., 78 A.D.3d 686, 910 N.Y.S.2d 517 (2d Dep’t 2010)(reversing summary judgment awarded to an indemnitor in connection with the claims of indemnitee and its subrogee for reimbursement of defense costs).

Other federal and state court appellate affirmances, summary judgment awards and other reported decisions and verdicts include: Jiang v. Ridge Tool Co., 764 Fed. Appx. (2d Cir. 2019); NML Capital, Ltd. v. Republic of Argentina, 727 F.3d 230 (2d Cir. 2013); Stein v. KPMG, LLP, 486 F.3d 753 (2d Cir. 2007); Freedom Card, Inc. v. JP Morgan Chase & Co., 432 F.3d 463 (3d Cir. 2005); Ehrens v. Lutheran Church, 385 F.3d 232 (2d Cir. 2004); Berkovitz v. Home Box Office, 89 F.3d 24 (1st Cir. 1996); Crowley v. Jones, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 110702 (S.D.N.Y. 2022); Policy Admin. Solutions, Inc. v. QBE Holdings, Inc., 15-CV-2473, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 148632 (S.D.N.Y. 2019); Brumfield v. Trader Joe's Co., 17-cv-3239, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 148397 (S.D.N.Y. 2018); Jiang v. Ridge Tool Co., 15-cv-4124, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 51442 (E.D.N.Y. 2018); Harleysville Worechester Ins. Co. v. Sharma, 230 F.Supp.3d 109 (E.D.N.Y. 2017); Wilson, et al. v. Austin, 11-cv-4594, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 104210 (E.D.N.Y., July 28, 2014); Floyd v. Liechtung, Fed. Sec. L. Rep. (CCH) P97,343 (S.D.N.Y. 2013); In Touch Concepts v. Cellco P'ship, 949 F. Supp.2d 447 (S.D.N.Y. 2013); Wilson v. Austin, 11-cv-4594, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 89191 (E.D.N.Y. 2013); Emerson Electric Co. v. Asset Management Associates of New York, Inc., 08-cv-1489, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 39442 (E.D.N.Y. 2012); First Roumanian American Congregation v. GuideOne Mutual Ins. Co., 862 F. Supp. 2d 293 (S.D.N.Y. 2012); Wilson v. Austin, 11-cv-4594, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 123067 (E.D.N.Y. 2012); WNET, et al. v. Aereo, Inc., 871 F. Supp. 2d 281 (S.D.N.Y. 2012); Asset Mgmt. Assocs. v. Emerson Telecom. Products, LLC, 08-cv-2506, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9434 (E.D.N.Y. 2011); Gary Friedrich Enterprises v. Marvel Enterprises Inc., 08 Civ. 1533, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 30685 (S.D.N.Y. 2011); Leibowitz v. Aternity, Inc., 10-cv-2289, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 70844 (E.D.N.Y. 2010); Kruse v. Wells Fargo Home Mortg., Inc., 02-cv-3089, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 26092 (E.D.N.Y. 2006); United States v. Stein, 452 F. Supp. 2d 281 (S.D.N.Y. 2006); Pitts v. Allied Interstate, Inc., 04-cv-3151, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 22646 (S.D.N.Y. 2004): Freedom Card, Inc. v. JP Morgan Chase & Co., 333 F. Supp. 2d 239 (D. Del. 2004); Axcelis Technologies, Inc. v. Applied Materials, Inc., 01-10029, 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9908 (D. Mass. 2003); Baxter Diagnostics, Inc. v. Novatek Med., Inc., 94-cv-5220, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15093 (S.D.N.Y. 1998); State Wide Photocopy, Corp. v. Tokai Fin. Servs., 909 F. Supp. 137 (S.D.N.Y. 1995); Brown v. General Instrument Corp., 93-cv-7907, 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5472 (S.D.N.Y. 1995); Braun v. Abbott Laboratories, 895 F. Supp. 530 (E.D.N.Y. 1995); In re GT Brands Holding LLC, 05-15167, 2005 Bnkr. LEXIS 2807 (Bnkr. S.D.N.Y. 2005); L&R Exploration Venture v. CCG, LLC, 351 P.3d 569 (Colo. App. 2015); Needham & Co. v. Uphealth Holding, Inc., 212 A.D.3d 561, 183 N.Y.S.3d 30 (1st Dep't 2023); A.L. v. Chaminade Mineola Society of Mary, Inc., 203 A.D.3d 1033, 166 N.Y.S.3d 186 (2d Dep't 2022); J.C. v. Jerzey Wear, LLC, 2018 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 2159 (1st Dep't 2018); Huang v. St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 129 A.D.3d 1053, 12 N.Y.S.3d 232 (2d Dep't 2015); Young v. Brown, 113 A.D.3d 761, 978 N.Y.S.2d 867 (2d Dep't 2014); East Midwood Jewish Ctr. v CNA Ins. Co., 72 A.D.3d 877, 898 N.Y.S.2d 662 (2d Dep’t 2010);Desena v. Federated Dept. Stores, Inc., 65 A.D.3d 662, 884 N.Y.S.2d 765 (2d Dep’t 2009); Hernandez v. Bethel United Methodist Church of N.Y., 49 A.D.3d 25, 853 N.Y.S.2d 305 (1st Dep’t 2008); Thompson v. Steuben Realty Corp., 31 A.D.3d 746, 820 N.Y.S.2d 285 (2d Dep’t 2006); Dowd v. Alliance Mortgage Co., 32 A.D.3d 894, 822 N.Y.S.2d 558 (2d Dep't 2006); L&R Exploration Venture v. Grynberg, 804 N.Y.S.2d 286 (1st Dep’t 2005); L&R Exploration v. Grynberg, 271 P.3d 530 (Colo. App. 2011); Simon v. Mehryari, 16 A.D.3d 664, 792 N.Y.S.2d 543 (2d Dep’t 2005); Corneroli v. Borghi, 11 A.D.3d 409, 783 N.Y.S.2d 572 (1st Dep’t 2004); Robinson v. Viacom Int'l, 242 A.D.2d 481, 663 N.Y.S.2d 817 (1st Dep’t 1997); R.C. Layne Constr. v. Stratton Oakmont, 228 A.D.2d 45, 651 N.Y.S.2d 973 (1st Dep’t 1996); Amico v. Graphic Arts Leasing, 231 A.D.2d 596, 647 N.Y.S.2d 815 (2d Dep't 1996); A.L. v. Chaminade Mineola Society of Mary, Inc., Index No. 602927/2018, 2020 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 889 (N.Y. Sup., Nassau Co. Jan. 13, 2020); Atkinson v. New York City Health and Hospitals Corp., Index No. 155048/2015, 2018 N.Y. Jury Verdict Review LEXIS 264 (N.Y. Sup., Jan. 2018); CB Richard Ellis, Inc. v. Daily Racing Form, LLC, Index No. 112466/2010, 2013 NY Jury Verdict Review LEXIS 247 (N.Y. Sup. Dec. 11, 2013); Nimir v. Nassau Univ. Med. Center, Index No. 8934/2008, 2012 NY Jury Verdict Review LEXIS 157 (Nassau Sup. Jan. 20, 2012); Tierney v. Frey, 2012 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 4056 (N.Y. Sup. 2012); Priya Hospitality LLC v. Patel, 2011 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 2768 (N.Y. Sup. 2011); Egar v. Congregation Talmud Torah, 23 Misc. 3d 1111A, 885 N.Y.S.2d 711 (N.Y. Sup. 2009); Christopher v. Pharmastem, Index No. 22379/2005, 2008 N.Y. Jury Verdict Review LEXIS 55484 (Westchester Sup., Mar. 14, 2008).