Search for "Michael Lesser"

Mr. Lesser heads Thornton Law Firm’s False Claims Act / Qui Tam litigation section, representing whistleblowers that report fraud on the Federal and State governments. While practicing in traditional areas of False Claims litigation, including Medicare and Medicaid fraud, Mr. Lesser also handles litigation involving finance and bank fraud. In 2020 Mr. Lesser's client, an FX trader who worked for Bank of New York Mellon, was awarded the then largest individual SEC whistleblower award in the history of SEC whistleblower litigation. The client's almost $50 million dollar award was for providing original information to the Securities and...

Michael’s practice is focused on civil litigation, including disputes involving employmentpersonal injury, medical malpractice, housing, and civil rights law. Prior to joining Lesser, Newman & Nasser, Michael practiced at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights in Boston, Massachusetts, where he represented victims of race and national origin discrimination. Before practicing at the Lawyers’ Committee, Michael practiced employment law in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, California. In addition to practicing law, Michael has taught legal writing and research at American University Washington College of Law, Golden Gate University School of Law, and New England Law Boston, and he has...

John Runfola is a highly experienced and effective criminal defense attorney. His cases have at times drawn international attention, and he has succeeded in winning favorable results for clients both at trial and through skillful pre-trial work. He is listed in Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and has earned the highest rating from the national lawyer registry Martindale Hubbell. Prior to starting his own practice, Mr. Runfola served as a Public Defender in San Francisco, where he gained invaluable courtroom experience. He is a seasoned trial lawyer, yet is equally adept at the behind-the-scenes work that often proves critical to a...