Accolades
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
* Chairman of the Board, Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, 2011-2016
* Martindale-Hubbell “A-V” Rated Attorney, 2002-Present
* South Florida Sun-Sentinel – South Florida 100, 2013-Present
* Broward County AFL-CIO – Leadership Award, 2015
* Super Lawyers Magazine – Florida “Super Lawyer”, 2014, 2015
* Barry University – Esteemed Speaker Recognition- Speaker at Law Review Symposium, 2014
* Lifestyle Magazine – Broward County Attorney of the Year, Environmental Law, 2014
* Chair, Broward County Finance Committee – Charlie Crist for Governor, 2014
* South Florida Sun-Sentinel – 20 People to Watch in 2010, 2010
* Miramar-Pembroke Pines Chamber of Commerce – Lifetime Achievement Award, 2009
* Florida Justice Association – Lifetime Legislative Achievement Award, 2009
* Florida Center for Autism & Related Disabilities – State Legislative Achievement Award, 2009
* Victory Center for Autism and Behavioral Challenges – Gala Honoree, 2009
* Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies – Champions for Children Award, 2008
* Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. – Eagle Award, 2008
* Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce – For 20 Years of Dedicated Service and Leadership to South Broward and Hollywood Community Award, 2008
* Florida Association of School Social Workers-Legislator of the Year, 2008
* Marina Mile Association-Legislative Service Award, 2008
* City of Hallandale Beach-Key to the City, 2008
* Florida Association of Counties-William “Doc” Myers Lifetime County Advocate Award, 2008
* Broward Young Democrats-Humanitarian of the Year Award, 2008
* South Florida Jewish Academy-Legislative Appreciation Award, 2008
* American Cancer Society-FL Division “Legislative Leadership Award” for Citizen’s Initiative, 2008
* United States Harness Riders Association FL Legislator of the Year Award, 2007
* Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, Inc. Appreciation Award, 2007
* Broward County PTA Legislator of the Year, 2007
* Temple Solel – Strength and Courage Award, 2007
* Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association Legislative Award, 2007
* Broward Days Leadership Award, 2007
* FL AFL-CIO – Legislator of the Year Award – 2006
* United Jewish Federation Oscar Best Supporting Florida State Senator, 2006
* Crystal Vision Award for Support of the Arts in Government, 2005
* American Heart Association Legislator Award, 2005
* Friend of Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Award, 2005
* Insurance Consumer Rights Legislative Award, 2004
* Cystic Fibrosis Leading Men of the Year Award, 2004
* American Heart Association Special Award, 2004
* Broward County Professional Firefighters Legislator of the Year, 2003
* Community Association Institute of Florida’s Legislator of the Year, 2002
* Broward County League of Women Voters Humanitarian of the Year, 2002
* Florida Workers Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award, 2002
* Florida Policeman Benevolent Association, Distinguished Leader, 2002
* Broward Community College Competitive Edge Program Award, 2002-2003
* Realtor Political Appreciation Award, 2002
* Kids Voting Broward, Inc., Board of Directors, 2002
* Temple Beth El, Community Service Award, 2002
* The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Outstanding Senator Award, 2001
* Florida Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, Outstanding Legislative
Courage and Leadership Award, 2001
* Hallandale Beach Democratic Club, Man of the Year; 2001
* Future Foundation Hall of Fame; 2001
* Florida Medical Association’s Legislative Appreciation Award; 2001
* Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County’s Outstanding Services Award – Carver Ranches; 2000
* Justin Marksz Foundation’s Award Recipient; 2000
* Founder, Broward County Fair Campaign Practice Committee – Organizational Chair; 2000
* American Jewish Congress, Board of Directors; 1996-Present
* Hallandale Future Foundation, Ex-Officio of the Board of Directors, 1995-Present
* Temple Solel, Board of Directors, 2000-2005
* Hallandale Democratic Club – Board of Directors; 1988-Present
* Friends of Hollywood Art and Cultural Center – Board of Directors; 1991-Present
* Hallandale Chamber of Commerce Ex-Officio of the Board of Directors; 1988-Present
* Hillel Foundations of Florida – Member, State Board of Directors; 1994-2001
* Florida Bar Association’s Special Legislative Merit Award; 1999
* Florida Fire Equipment Dealers Association – Legislator of the Year: 1998
* B’nai B’rith Center for Public Policy for Broward County – Advisory Board
* National Women’s Political Caucus of Florida – Stand Alone Award; 1997
* American Heart Association – Life Saving Legislation; 1997
* Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers – Family Safety and Consumer’s Rights Award; 1997
* Florida Consumer’s Action Network Award; 1996
* Broward County Young Democrats – Trailblazer of the Year Award; 1996
* David Posnack Jewish Community Center – Humanitarian of the Year Award; 1996
* Florida Legislative Alliance of Community Associations Institute – Distinguished Legislator Award; 1995, 1996
* Up and Comers Finalist; 1996
* Florida Trial Lawyers – Legislator of the Year Award; 1991, 1993, 1995
* American Jewish Congress – Broward County Man of the Year Award for Outstanding Civic Achievements; 1995
* SHORN – Hero of the 1995 Legislature; 1995
* Broward County AFL-CIO – Legislator of the Year Award; 1994
* City of Hollywood – Legislative Appreciation Award; 1994
* South Broward Chapter American Cancer Society – Board of Directors; 1991-1994
* Hallandale Democratic Club – Legislative Award; 1991
* South Broward Jewish Federation Attorneys Division, Co-Chair; 1990-1992
* South Broward Democratic Club – Legislator of the Year; 1990
* Florida Trial Lawyers – Freshman Legislator; 1989
* UJA National Young Leadership Cabinet; 1988-1992
* B’nai B’rith – Lodge President; 1986-1988
* Florida Democratic Party – State Rules Committee – Member; 1984-1988
* Greater Hollywood Jaycees – President; 1984-1986
* Florida Democratic Party – State Parliamentarian; 1982-1996
* Florida Young Democrats – State President; 1980-1981
GOVERNMENT SERVICE
* Broward County Commissioner – Seat 5, 2016-
* Board of Directors, Florida Association of Counties – 2016-
* Member, South Florida Regional Planning Council, 2016-, Treasurer 2018-
* Member, Broward County water Board, 2016-, Chairman, 2018-
* Senate Minority (Democratic) Leader, 2006-2008
* Re-elected to the Florida State Senate in 2004
* Re-elected to the Florida State Senate in 2002
* Chairman, Comprehensive Planning
* Re-elected to the Florida State Senate in 2000
* Chairman, Agriculture and Consumer Services Committee
* Elected to the Florida State Senate in 1998
* Re-elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1996
* Re-elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1994
* Chairman, Regulated Industries Committee
* Chairman, Sub-committee on Property and Casualty Insurance
* Re-elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1992
* Deputy Majority Leader
* Vice-Chairman, Finance and Taxation Committee
* Chairman, Sub-committee on Property and Casualty Insurance
* Re-elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1990
* Vice-Chairman, Insurance Committee
* Chairman, Sub-committee on Drugs, Alcohol and Law Enforcement
* Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1988
* Vice-Chairman, Public Transportation Committee
* Chairman, Sub-committee on Property and Casualty Insurance
* Super Delegate to Democratic National Convention – 2008
* National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS), National President; 1995-2007
* National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), Vice President, 2002-2003; National President, 2003-2004
* National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), Officer, Committee Chair; 1993-2003
* Information Service Technology Development Task Force, Member; 1999-2000
* Chairman, National Public Sector Gaming Study Commission; 1999-2000
* Chairman, Broward County Legislative Delegation; 1993-1994, 2002-2003
* Chairman, Hendry County Legislative Delegation; 1999-2000, 2001-2002
* Deputy Majority Leader; Florida House of Representatives; 1992-1994
* Member, State Condominium Study Commission; 1990
* Member, Motor Vehicle Insurance Task Force; 199
PERSONAL
* Practicing Attorney in Broward County since 1982
* Married to Laurel Leffler since 1991
* Children: Marc Isaac and Benjamin Jacob
* Bachelor of Arts Degree, Florida State University in 1979
* Juris Doctor Degree, Florida State University Law School in 1982
