Steven Lessne joined Gunster as a shareholder in 2015.

Steven is a litigator with over 20 years of experience representing clients in complex matters involving wills, trusts, guardianships and business. When navigating problematic situations, Steven aims to resolve disputes and design solutions for estate, trust, guardianship and business issues before they turn into litigation. Steven’s goal is to serve as a trusted advisor and a zealous advocate for clients in negotiations, dispute resolution and litigation. As a counselor and advocate, Steven strives to achieve clients’ objectives in and out of court.

• Represented the court appointed successor personal representative of the estate of a prominent real estate developer. Investigated transactions between dozens of related entities and individuals, and pursued millions of dollars from related parties and prior fiduciaries. Obtained partial summary judgment for over $9 million in debt by successfully arguing for the adoption of two new principles of Florida law.
• Represented the insured under a STOLI (stranger originated life insurance) policy. In the first of its kind case, the insured sought a declaratory judgment that the policy was void ab initio for lack of an insurable interest because he bought the policy with the intent to sell it. Recouped over $5 million of premiums from the insurer and premium finance company in a settlement.
• Represented a religious institution in a dispute with national charities over a multi-million dollar bequest left to another, since dissolved religious institution. Argued to a foreign court that, as a matter of first impression, the “de facto merger” doctrine could be used to establish that the client was the successor to the dissolved financial institution (the doctrine had not been applied in this context before). After defeating motions for summary judgment, Steven obtained a multi-million dollar settlement for the client.
• Represented an out-of-state Insurance Commissioner, in her capacity as the liquidator of an out-of-state insurance company, in an action to set aside preferential payments made to a Florida insurance company.
• Represented the court appointed receiver for a failing Miami hotel. Worked with government officials to remediate fire code violations, cure tax deficiencies and preserve the hotel’s liquor license for the benefit of creditors.
• Represented, through two arbitration proceedings and two judicial proceedings, an acquiring bank in a dispute with another bank arising out of their merger.
• Represented a physician separating from his medical group. Obtained a release from a covenant not to compete and a favorable protocol regarding the release of patient records.
• Represented the buyer of a commercial office building in an action for fraud against the seller. After two jury trials and an appeal, obtained a significant judgement, and secured the post-judgment appointment of a receiver to take over the debtors’ companies and recover monies transferred overseas to India.
• On multiple occasions, litigated actions to set aside and recover fraudulent conveyances.
• Supervised a volume practice of escalated, contested foreclosure matters for a large, national financial institution.
• Current and longstanding representation of a large South Florida shopping mall in various matters.

• The Best Lawyers in America®, Trusts and Estates Litigation, 2018-24
• The Best Lawyers in America® Business Edition: The Litigation Issue, 2021
• AV Preeminent rating as independently determined by Martindale-Hubbell
• Palm Beach Illustrated, “Top Lawyers,” Trusts and Estates, 2021-22
• Boca Raton Observer, “Top Lawyers,” 2022
• Jupiter Magazine, “Top Lawyers,” Trusts and Estates, 2021
• Florida Super Lawyers, 2013-20, 2023
  • “Rising Star,” 2009-11
• Florida Trend, “Legal Elite,” 2008-09, 2012
• Recipient of the Bar/Bri Award, 1997

• Florida Bar
  • Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
    • Probate and Trust Litigation Committee
    • Trust Law Committee
    • Probate Law and Procedure Committee
  • Business Law Section
    • Business Litigation Committee
• American Bar Association
  • Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section
    • Litigation, Ethics and Malpractice Group, Probate and Fiduciary Litigation

• Florida Democratic Lawyers Council
  • Regional lead counsel for eight Florida counties, 2012
  • Lead county counsel for Palm Beach County, 2006, 2008, 2010
• Keiser University, Advisory Board, 2012-present
• Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, Professional Advisory Committee, 2008-present
• Anti-Defamation League
  • Regional Board Member, 2017-18
  • Glass Leadership Institute, 2015-present
• Leadership Broward Foundation, Board of Directors, 2012
• Leadership Broward Class XXX, 2011
  • Class representative
  • Project Chair
• Congregation Shaarei Kodesh of Boca Raton, Synagogue Counsel, 2008-present