A co-founder of Lieser Skaff, Jeff concentrates his practice on complex business and real estate litigation. Jeff also serves as class action counsel and as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator.
From 2017-2022, Jeff was named to the Florida Legal Elite roster. The select lawyers on this prestigious list represent fewer than 1.5% of active Florida Bar members. Jeff has also been selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers® magazine each year from 2013-2017, and a Super Lawyer from 2021-2023.
In addition, Jeff is a Reserve Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army J.A.G. Corps, where he holds the rank of Major. He currently serves with the Trial Defense Service (TDS), whose motto is “Defending Those Who Defend America.” He previously deployed to Iraq with the First Heavy Brigade Combat Team, First Infantry Division (“Devil’s Brigade”) and served as the Brigade’s Legal Representative in arresting and jailing violent extremists who attacked against U.S. Forces. Jeff prosecuted such terrorist defendants in Iraqi criminal trials, and obtained record-breaking results, including five convictions. Jeff has received multiple awards for his military service, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
Jeff attended law school at the University of Florida in Gainesville where he clerked at one of that city’s oldest and largest law firms. After law school, he served as the Finance Director of a successful statewide political campaign and subsequently worked at prestigious, full-service and statewide law firm. While there, Jeff litigated in state and federal court on behalf of multiple Fortune 500 companies, including insurance companies and financial institutions.
He was recently chosen to serve a three-year term on a Florida Bar Grievance Committee. In that capacity, he is responsible for reviewing complaints, similar to the function of a grand jury, and also investigating complaints. The committee determines if there is probable cause to believe a lawyer violated the professional conduct rules imposed by the Supreme Court of Florida. If so, the committee considers what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken against the lawyer.
In addition to law, Jeff maintains an interest in politics and government. Jeff was previously selected as one of only six delegates who traveled to Australia on behalf of the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL). In 2023, Mayor Jane Castor appointed Jeff to the City of Tampa’s Civil Service Board, which hears appeals from City employees related to alleged adverse employment action.
- Litigation Privilege Immunity: For Presuit Communications, It’s Not Absolute, Florida Bar Journal, September/October 2018
- Are COVID-19 Liability Waivers Good Business?, Law.com Daily Business Review (dbr), July 2020
- Guest column: Employer considerations if employees refuse to ‘reopen’, Tampa Bay Business Journal, May 2020
- Strafford CLE live webinar, “Litigation Privilege, Attorney Immunity and Ethics”, 2023
- Guest Speaker, Southwest Florida Paralegal Annual Seminar, 2022
- Guest Speaker, Tampa Bay Paralegal Association Annual Seminar, 2016
- Moderator of Judicial Panel Discussion at Florida Bar’s “Practicing with Professionalism” Seminar, October, 2013
- Guest Speaker, Lake County Annual Law Day Luncheon, “No Courts, No Justice, No Peace,” May, 2012
- Major, United States Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General’s Corps
- Member, Florida Bar Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee
- Board Member (Mayoral Appointee), City of Tampa Civil Service Board
- Master, Ferguson-White Inn of Court
- Member, Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA)
- Alumni Council , American Council of Young Political Leaders
- Coach, Tampa Bay Little League
