Leonard K. Samuels
Partner
As a partner at Berger Singerman, Leonard Samuels handles complex business litigation matters often arising out of employment related or ownership related disputes. Mr. Samuels’ litigation experience includes handling non-compete litigation throughout the United States and Florida based and multi-state matters involving theft of trade secrets, computer theft and abuse, tortious interference with business relationships and contracts. He has also represented companies and executives in a wide variety of matters ranging from claims involving breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty to various types of alleged discriminatory conduct.
Lenny has been consistently recognized by clients in industry media such as Chambers USA, a leading legal industry rankings organization.
- Represented insurance brokerage company in enforcing restrictive covenants precluding competition and the use of trade secrets
- Obtained a defense verdict following a three week trial on behalf of four executives of an insurance company against claims that they violated restrictive covenants, misappropriated trade secrets and engaged in unfair competition
- Represented a real estate developer and obtained directed verdict in jury trial on a claim brought under The Americans With Disabilities Act. The Judge excused the Jury after the presentation of Plaintiff’s case
- Represented an international cruise line against its former head of US operations alleging violations of the Florida Trade Secrets Act and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
- Lead trial counsel for a body armor manufacturer in a matter involving claims and counterclaims for breach of military supply agreement valued in excess of $100 million
- Represented a timeshare company in defense of class action asserting that employees were improperly classified as independent contractors
- Represented company with facilities in 48 states in defense of a Fair Labor Standards Act case with 2,900 plaintiffs
- Represented a large utility in the defense of a $130 million multi-count complaint involving tax credits and contracts
- Represented a Florida company in pursuing claims for theft of trade secrets and tortuous interference following the resignations of 4 top executives who left to work for a competing company
- Represented fuel additive manufacturer in claims and counterclaims involving false advertising and unfair competition
- Represented former hospital executive in whistleblower action against a hospital chain that resulted in a settlement of $90 million
- Represented a hedge fund in claims for theft of trade secrets and breach of contract against former executives
- Represented 50% owner of internet marketing company in claims and counterclaims involving activities of other 50% owner. Litigation of the case was in Florida and related arbitration proceeded in the Bahamas
- Represented Finnish ship manufacturer in defense of tortuous interference and patent infringement claims
- Lead counsel in Broward County for Gore-Lieberman recount efforts
- Successfully obtained Final Summary Judgment representing a significant defense contractor in claims arising under the Defend Trade Secrets Act, the Florida Trade Secrets Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act claims in the Southern District of Florida
- Defended a fuel additive manufacturer in a False Adverting and Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Claim in the Southern District of Florida. Obtained a defense verdict following a three week jury trial
- Represented a hair care distributor in Broward County Circuit Court and obtained Final Summary Judgments on claims totaling approximately $20M
- Represented a former executive and board member of a large national health care company, as well as his newly formed company, in a jury trial. After all of the evidence was presented to the jury in a one week trial, the trial court entered a directed verdict in favor of our clients, and invalidated numerous covenants not to compete and solicit employees or customers contained within three different agreements entered into over an eight year period.
- Chambers & Partners USA, America's Leading Business Lawyers, Litigation: General Commercial, 2021-2024
- The Best Lawyers in America®, 2008-2025
- Best Lawyers', Employment Law Lawyer of the Year (Fort Lauderdale), 2018; 2022; 2024-2025
- Best Lawyers', Labor and Employment Litigation Lawyer of the Year (Fort Lauderdale), 2019-2020; 2024
- Florida Super Lawyers, 2007-2024
- Las Olas Lifestyle, 2022 'Man of Influence'
- The South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyer, 2004-2014, 2016-2019
- Florida Trend, Legal Elite, 2007, 2010
- Jack & Lilyan Mandel Human Resource Development Award, Jewish Federation of Broward County
- Featured in the National Law Journal in article entitled Florida's Chad Bar
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Preeminent™ rated
- The Florida Bar Business Law Section, subcommittee reviewing Florida law on Restrictive Covenants, 2020-present
- Member, Commercial Panel for the American Arbitration Association
- Co-Chair, Business and Professions Division, Jewish Federation of Broward County
- Chair, Jewish Federation of Broward County Judicial Reception, 2013-present
- Board, Jewish Federation
- Finance Co-Chair, Fair Districts of Florida
- Board Member, Broward Business for the Arts
- Former Chair, Jewish Federation, Finance and Administration Committee
- Former Member, Regional Board of Directors for the Anti-Defamation League
- Former Steering Committee Member, Education Excellence of Florida
- Former Member, Board of Directors of Federal Bar Association, Broward County, Florida
- Former Board Member, United Way of Broward County
- Former Member, Florida Hemp Advisory Committee
- Former Member of the Board of Directors and the Executive
Fifty-Six Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 15, 2024
April 28, 2024
Law360 Quotes Lenny Samuels in, "4 Benefits Issues That May Trip Up Worker Reclassification"
January 16, 2024
Sun-Sentinel Quotes Lenny Samuels in, "Gregory Haile Ends His Tenure as Broward College President"
September 26, 2023
Saints & Sinners CEO Michael Wilson Vindicated: It's a 10 Haircare and Carolyn Aronson Lose Appeal
August 21, 2023
Berger Singerman Recognized by Chambers USA for Twentieth Consecutive Year
June 1, 2023
SHRM Quotes Leonard Samuels in, "HR Can Help Prevent Misappropriation of Trade Secrets"
February 14, 2023
January 24, 2023
December 6, 2022
Forty-Three Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 18, 2022
South Central Florida Life Quotes Leonard K. Samuels in "Businesses included in the new 'WOKE Act'"
July 20, 2022
Twenty-three Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in 2022 Edition of Florida Super Lawyers
June 27, 2022
Berger Singerman Recognized by Chambers USA for Nineteenth Consecutive Year
June 1, 2022
April 4, 2022
January 21, 2022
Thrity-nine Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2022 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 19, 2021
July 16, 2021
Nineteen Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in 2021 Edition of Florida Super Lawyers
June 24, 2021
Thirty-Five Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 19, 2020
Twenty-Seven Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in 2020 Edition of Florida Super Lawyers
June 8, 2020
December 1, 2019
Twenty-one Berger Singerman Attorneys Listed in South Florida Legal Guide as Top Attorneys
October 31, 2019
Thirty Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2020 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 14, 2019
August 5, 2019
Berger Singerman's Leonard K. Samuels to Serve on Florida Hemp Advisory Committee
July 25, 2019
Twenty-Eight Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in 2019 Edition of Florida Super Lawyers
May 29, 2019
South Florida Legal Guide Names 21 Berger Singerman Attorneys as Top Lawyers
March 7, 2019
November 1, 2018
Thirty Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2019 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 14, 2018
Thirty-One Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in 2018 Edition of Florida Super Lawyers
June 17, 2018
South Florida Legal Guide Names 23 Berger Singerman Attorneys as Top Lawyers
January 9, 2018
September 19, 2017
Thirty Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2018 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 14, 2017
Thirty-Two Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2017 Super Lawyers Florida Edition
June 8, 2017
April 12, 2017
Law360 quotes Leonard Samuels in, "Fla. City Ordered To Provide Water Service To Private Prison"
April 12, 2017
Twenty-Eight Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2017 Edition of Best Lawyers In America
August 14, 2016
Thirty-Six Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2016 Super Lawyers Florida Edition
June 13, 2016
May 2, 2016
April 11, 2016
Berger Singerman Secures a Verdict in Favor of Client Involving an Intellectual Property Dispute
March 1, 2016
Law360, "The Wary Employer's Guide To Key Coronavirus Concerns"
March 16, 2020
Law360, "Trump's NDA Use Raises 1st Amendment Questions"
March 18, 2019
The Hill, "Are corporate whistleblowers protected under federal law?"
February 23, 2018
Law360, "Insights On Protecting Referral Sources With Noncompetes"
October 11, 2017
Becker's Hospital Review, "Florida protects healthcare referral sources"
October 1, 2017
Client Alert: Federal Court in Texas Blocks Implementation of the FTC’s Rule Banning Non-Competes
August 21, 2024
Client Alert: Texas Federal Court Grants Limited Injunction of FTC’s Rule Banning Noncompete Clauses
July 8, 2024
Breaking News: FTC Approves Nationwide Ban on Noncompete Clauses – What It Means for Your Business
April 23, 2024
January 9, 2023
Certain Physician Non-Competes Are Now Void and Unenforceable in Florida
June 30, 2019
Employees or Contractors? A Potential Shift in Policy & Its Consequences
April 30, 2019
May 21, 2018
Is Your Competitor Making False Comparative Advertising Claims?
November 30, 2016
- Morgan Lewis & Bockius
- Intern and Law Clerk for Justice James C. Adkins of the Florida Supreme Court