Mr. Lester began his career in the public sector in 1978 performing public service. He created a full time pre-paid legal service program for students at the State University of New York at Albany. In that capacity, as the first full time lawyer on the Albany Campus, he won a landmark case that gave students the right to vote in their college communities. This Court decision, Auerbach v. Kinley, has had a direct impact upon increasing the college student vote in local, legislative and congressional races throughout New York State.

Jack Lester initiated legal service programs modeled on the Albany program across New York that benefited campuses at SUNY Purchase, SUNY New Paltz, and the City University of New York campuses at Baruch College, City College of the City of New York, Hunter College, Medger Evers College, Borough of Manhattan Community College and LaGuardia Community College.

Mr. Lester has won landmark decisions in the areas of voting rights, parkland preservation, preventing illegal rent increases and environmental rights for neighborhood associations. He served as a member of a community board in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Chairing the East 86th Street Task Force. Mr. Lester also served as a member of the Judicial Nominating Convention and the Housing Court Advisory Committee, playing a critical role in the selection of Judges in New York City.

Mr. Lester is currently chairman of the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach based in SUNY New Paltz. This organization analyzes and proposes policy initiatives for government reform, the environment, land use and the fair administration of justice in the Hudson Valley. Mr. Lester earned his B.A. from SUNY New Paltz in 1974 and received his J.D. from New York Law School in 1977.