Atty. Michael A. Lesser
Mr. Lesser joined Thornton Law Firm as an associate in 1995 after previously clerking at the firm.
False Claims and Fraud & More Attorney · Serving Boston, MA · 31+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Michael A. Lesser at a Glance
Michael A. Lesser is a Partner based in Boston, Massachusetts, practicing at Thornton Law Firm LLP. They have 31+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1995. Their practice focuses on whistleblower and consumer. Admitted to practice in Massachusetts (1995), U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts (1997), and U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit (2006). Educated at Boston University (J.D., 1995) and Brandeis University (B.A., 1992). Recognitions include BV Distinguished. Active member of American Bar Association American Association for Justice. Serves clients in Boston, MA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Michael A. Lesser
- Mr. Lesser joined Thornton Law Firm as an associate in 1995 after previously clerking at the firm
- He heads the firm’s Whistleblower litigation section, with a focus on representing individuals that report violations of securities laws subject to the SEC Whistleblowing statute and individuals that report fraud on the government through the Federal and state False Claims Act statutes
- 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 Exchange Commission that resulted in a successful enforcement action that returned a significant amount of money to harmed investors
- Mr. Lesser was rated as one of New England’s Top Rated Lawyers by ALM Media and Martindale-Hubbell™ from 2020-2022
- Mr. Lesser was named an Up-and-Coming Lawyer by Massachusetts Lawyers’ Weekly in 2002
- He was selected as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer in 2021, 2022, and 2023
- He was selected as a Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2005 and 2010
Practice Areas Explained
Michael A. Lesser's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael A. Lesser handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Boston.
Whistleblower & Retaliation in Boston
Michael A. Lesser is one of 3,523 whistleblower attorneys indexed nationally. Browse whistleblower attorneys in Massachusetts →
Consumer Protection in Boston
Consumer protection attorneys for fraud, lemon law, debt harassment, and deceptive trade practices.
Michael A. Lesser is one of 50,226 consumer attorneys indexed nationally. Browse consumer attorneys in Massachusetts →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Boston
Practicing law in Massachusetts. Legal matters in Massachusetts are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Boston are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Massachusetts state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Massachusetts brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Massachusetts courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Boston Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Boston-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Massachusetts attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Boston or all attorneys in Massachusetts.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Boston Choose Michael A. Lesser
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Michael A. Lesser's practice in the field of whistleblower and consumer.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Michael A. Lesser brings 31+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Massachusetts, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, and U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit, Michael A. Lesser can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering whistleblower and consumer, Michael A. Lesser can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Boston
A Boston-based practice means Michael A. Lesser attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Michael A. Lesser's Practice Areas & Specializations
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