John M. Howe was sworn in as the 2011-2012 President of the Palm Beach County Bar Association (PBCBA)

John M. Howe, Attorney of Counsel at Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC (LLL&S) and Founding Attorney of the Law Offices of J.M. Howe was sworn in as the 2011-2012 President of the Palm Beach County Bar Association (PBCBA) on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at the Association’s annual installation banquet held at The Breakers Hotel on Palm Beach.  Presenting Sponsors, Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith and Sabadell United Bank were joined by more than 400 guests in welcoming Howe to his new position. 

The PBCBA is a non-profit voluntary professional association of attorneys founded in 1922. Its purpose is to maintain the honor and dignity of the profession by promoting improvements in the law and administration of justice. 


Prior to his election as PBCBA president, Howe served in several leadership roles for the organization, including  serving as the Founder and Co-Chair of the PBCBA’s Committee for Diversity and Inclusion, Chair of its Docent Training Program for Lawyers and Judges at the 1916 Historical Courthouse & Museum, and a member of its Professionalism Council. In February 2011 he was recognized by the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida as a Legal Trailblazer for his achievements, including his being the first African-American to be elected to the office of President-Elect of the Palm Beach County Bar Association. Howe has also been recognized by Identify  Connect  Activate  the Black Accomplished (ICABA) as one of South Florida's Most Accomplished Blacks in Law. 

“Palm Beach County Bar Association members will receive great leadership from John, as he is committed to improving the profession and the quality of practice of law,” said LLL&S Managing Partner Gary Lesser. “John’s strong commitment to excellence, compassionate client advocacy, and belief in ‘giving back’ to the community are just a few of the many reasons we are proud John joined our firm as Of Counsel in April.” 

President Elect Adam Rabin of McCabe Rabin, P.A. said he is looking forward to continuing to work closely with Howe this coming year noting that “John has done an exceptional job as a Bar  leader and member of the Board of Directors, including the tremendous strides he has made for  the Bar’s Diversity Program. It will be an honor and privilege to serve under his leadership as together we continue to forge the Association’s mission and vision.” 

Howe is a trial attorney with more than 12 years of experience in representing individuals and families devastated by serious and fatal injuries, those charged with crimes as well as individuals and companies involved in business disputes. As a former County Court Division Chief and Felony Level Trial Attorney with the Public Defender's Office for the 15th Judicial Circuit, he has represented a large number of clients charged with serious criminal offenses. He currently represents citizens and organizations in civil and criminal matters in both state and federal courts. 

Born of Jamaican heritage and a first generation native of West Palm Beach, Florida, John M. Howe earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida-Levin College of Law while concurrently earning a Masters in Business Administration degree also at the University and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from Loyola University.  An active member of the Florida Bar Association for more than 12 years, Howe he was appointed by Florida Bar President, Scott Hawkins, in this year (March 2011) to serve on the Florida Bar’s Judicial Independence Committee following  his a successful tenure on the Association’s Member Outreach Committee.   

Howe is a Past President of the Palm Beach Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society of the Palm Beaches, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Urban League of Palm Beach County, and the Historical Society of the Palm Beaches.  He is also a member of the National Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Hispanic Bar Association of the Palm Beaches, Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association, F. Malcolm Cunningham Bar Association, Palm Beach County Justice Association, Florida Blue Key, and the Gator Club of the Palm Beaches. He is a volunteer/teacher in Florida Supreme Court Justice Teaching Program and a volunteer/supporter for Palm Beach Lakes High School Law Magnate Program. 

Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC, the third oldest law firm in Palm Beach County, was established in 1927 by Joseph H. Lesser in West Palm Beach, and has been serving clients throughout Florida for more than 80 years focusing on serious personal injury and wrongful death cases. LLL&S (www.lesserlawfirm.com) enjoys a reputation in the community for superior legal skills, hard work, client service, and high ethical standards. The Firm partners are "AV" rated by Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating in ethics and legal ability. LLL&S is active in the community, and has donated significant time and financial support to numerous charities. The Firm has obtained significant settlements and verdicts over the years and is well known to insurance companies and insurance defense lawyers as skillful advocates. This experience and reputation allows the Firm to obtain the best possible results for its clients. 

For more information on LLL&S with offices in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Stuart, call (561) 655-2028 or visit www.lesserlawfirm.com.