Rick Lesser, (State Representative, 58th District)
Rick Lesser is a successful small business owner and one of the leading estate planning attorneys in Illinois. A son of the 58th District, he was raised in Highland Park, started his family in Deerfield, founded his law firm in Lake Forest, and currently lives in Lake Bluff.
Since 1980, Rick has been in private practice representing individuals and small businesses. He has an A-V rating, the highest available, for integrity and skill. In 1987, he moved his business to Lake County. In 1997, Rick founded a firm in Lake County dedicated to estate planning for individuals and succession planning for small business owners. That firm, Lesser, Lutrey, Pasquesi and Howe, LLP, won the Chamber of Commerce award for community service.
Rick is an active community leader. He has served as a volunteer President of six civic organizations: Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce (Rick organized the merger of the two organizations); Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Rotary Club; Lake County Bar Association; Lake County Bar Foundation; Lake County Estate Planning Council; and Deerfield Optimist Club. As President of the Bar Association, Rick created the Association’s Board of Directors and opened the Association to non-lawyer members, such as paralegals. The result was a substantial increase in the size and the vitality of the 100-year-old Association.
In 2003, Rick was elected to the Lake Bluff Village Board of Trustees, and he was re-elected in 2007. As a Trustee, Rick championed the rights of homeowners and families. The Board was divided over several key issues, including: a 24.45% increase in the Library’s property tax levy; elimination of homeowner’s Frontage Protest Right that allowed neighboring homeowners to trigger a super-majority requirement for zoning changes; and a high-priced and high-density development known as Stonebridge. Rick firmly opposed property tax increases and promoted a partnership between the village and retailers. As a result, Lake Bluff currently has 100% retail space occupancy and a vibrant central business district.
In 2003, Rick was elected to the Lake Bluff Village Board of Trustees, and he was re-elected in 2007. As a Trustee, Rick championed the rights of homeowners and families. The Board was divided over several key issues, including: a 24.45% increase in the Library’s property tax levy; elimination of homeowner’s Frontage Protest Right that allowed neighboring homeowners to trigger a super-majority requirement for zoning changes; and a high-priced and high-density development known as Stonebridge. Rick firmly opposed property tax increases and promoted a partnership between the village and retailers. As a result, Lake Bluff currently has 100% retail space occupancy and a vibrant central business district.
In 1976, Rick graduated with an A average as a History major from the University of Illinois. After graduating college, he went to the corner of LaSalle and Jackson, took the elevator up to the top floor, and walked door to door until he found a job as a clerk with a small law firm. He then went on to graduate from the University of Michigan Law School, one of the country’s top law schools.
Fredric Bryan “Rick” Lesser was born on May 1, 1955, to Jewish parents. In 1983, Rick married Terry Moss. They have been married for over 35 years and have four children. Their daughter, Emelia, graduated from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, and lives in Lake Bluff with her husband, Christopher, and their son, Griffin. Veronica graduated from Butler University and currently lives with her husband, David, in Scottsdale. Bryan graduated from Lawrence University as well as Georgetown University Law Center and serves as Campaign Manager for Rick’s campaign. Dorena graduated from the University of Iowa and lives in Lake County. Rick and Terry are expecting their second grandchild this spring. The family enjoys going out to local restaurants, playing board games, and each spring they celebrate Passover Seder together.
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