Becker & Poliakoff Shareholder Steven B. Lesser Appointed to ABA Commission on the American Jury Project

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwire - October 9, 2008) - Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., a diversified commercial law firm with more than 125 attorneys in 13 Florida offices, New York City and affiliated international offices, today announced that firm shareholder Steven B. Lesser, a Board Certified Construction attorney and Chair of Becker & Poliakoff's statewide Construction Law Practice Group, was recently appointed to the American Bar Association's Commission on the American Jury Project.

As one of just thirteen members nationwide of the ABA Commission, Mr. Lesser will serve on the commission as a representative of the ABA's Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Section. He previously served as Chairman of the ABA Section's Task Force on the Contingent Fee, having led the task force's review of the contingent fee system to evaluate the impact of future changes to this fee structure on attorneys and their clients.

The Commission on the American Jury Project is tasked with advancing implementation of ABA Principles on Juries and Jury Trials by working with courts, rulemaking bodies, state legislatures and the organized bar. Commission membership consists of a chairperson appointed by the ABA President and three representatives each appointed by the Judicial Division and Criminal Justice Section, Litigation Section and the Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Section.

"I'm honored to have been included among this group of respected colleagues named to the Commission on the American Jury Project in order to further the ABA's work in the area of juries and jury trials," Lesser said. "Working with the courts, legislators and Bar associations around the country, the Commission seeks to inform and provide guidance to the public, the media, to government and within our own profession about the importance of jury service and jury reform in our country."

"Becker & Poliakoff is proud that one of our shareholders and group practice chairs, Steve Lesser, has been selected to participate in the ABA's important efforts toward trial and jury reform through this Commission," said Alan Becker, Managing Shareholder, Becker & Poliakoff. "Steve brings to the Commission the highest respect and ratings from his colleagues and organizations within the legal profession. He will be a real asset as the ABA continues to work toward improving the jury system that is so critical to the proper functioning of justice in our society."

Rated "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, the highest professional rating based on years of experience and endorsement by colleagues in the areas of professional conduct, ethics and ability, Mr. Lesser is also a recipient of the prestigious Deborah M. Smoot Memorial Award by the Florida Bar Journal & News Editorial Board for outstanding contributions to the Journal as Chair and Board Member.

As Chair of Becker & Poliakoff's Construction Law practice, Mr. Lesser leads a team of fifteen attorneys dedicated exclusively to Construction Law that includes nine attorneys who are Board Certified in Construction Law by the Florida Bar. Florida Trend Magazine designated Mr. Lesser as among its "Legal Elite" in the area of Construction Law, based upon a poll of Florida attorneys who selected peers in the top 2% of their respective practice areas. Lesser is also listed in Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2005 as one of the top construction lawyers in Florida and is a member of the International Who's Who of Construction Lawyers, considered an elite leadership group within the field of Construction Law.

A graduate of Ohio University (BSJ cum laude, 1975) and the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (JD 1979), Mr. Lesser was admitted in 1979 to the Bar in Florida and Ohio. He also is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. He previously served as Assistant Attorney General in Ohio.

About Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.

Becker & Poliakoff is a diverse commercial law firm with more than 125 attorneys in 13 Florida offices, New York City and affiliated international offices. Celebrating its thirty sixth (36th) year of serving clients, the firm has seven primary areas of practice: Real Estate, Construction, Community Association, International Trade & Customs, Commercial Litigation, Corporate, Tax & Securities, and Government Law & Lobbying.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Tom Howell / Michael Tangeman The Pen Group Communications Tel: (305) 529-1944 email: tom@thepengroup.com