MICHAEL LEE
EXPERIENCE WITH DEPTH.
Michael Lee is the Founding Partner of Lee Law PLLC, where he represents global brands, creators, entrepreneurs, and technology and entertainment companies in complex intellectual property and business matters.
His practice focuses on trademark and copyright law, intellectual property litigation, brand protection, anti-counterfeiting, licensing, and the legal issues facing businesses and creators operating in digital markets. Throughout his career, Michael has litigated intellectual property disputes in federal courts across the United States and helped clients obtain judgments and settlements totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
Michael’s practice extends from protecting internationally recognized brands to helping creators and entrepreneurs build new ones. He advises clients throughout the intellectual property lifecycle—from creation and registration through commercialization, enforcement, and litigation.
A Practice Built Around Intellectual Property.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Trademark, copyright, licensing, registration, commercialization, and intellectual property strategy.
LITIGATION
Trademark, copyright, counterfeiting, unfair competition, and complex commercial disputes in federal courts.
BRAND PROTECTION
Anti-counterfeiting, investigations, online enforcement, marketplace protection, injunctions, and litigation.
CREATORS, GAMING & TECHNOLOGY
Business formation, content ownership, licensing, sponsorships, platform matters, talent agreements, and digital media.
Protecting brands across industries.
Michael has represented companies and properties across gaming,
entertainment, technology, consumer products, and emerging businesses,
with public trademark records reflecting work involving brands such as
DICE THRONE, HYPIXEL, PLAYERS’ LOUNGE, MEGANPLAYS,
and others.
RESULTS THAT RUN DEEP.
Michael has handled significant trademark, copyright, counterfeiting, and commercial litigation on behalf of internationally recognized companies and intellectual property owners.
Helped obtain a $46.2 million summary judgment arising from the online distribution of counterfeit merchandise in litigation brought on behalf of Coach.
Represented a copyright owner in litigation resulting in an award of approximately $7 million, including maximum statutory damages. The award was affirmed on appeal by the Second Circuit.
Served as lead counsel for OtterBox and LifeProof in litigation against sellers of counterfeit cell phone cases that resulted in a $5 million judgment.
Represented a client in commercial litigation resulting in a $3.98 million judgment concerning payment for delivered goods.
Represented a copyright owner in a federal jury trial resulting in an award of approximately $2.7 million, including maximum statutory copyright damages.
Represented an intellectual property owner in litigation involving copyright and trade dress infringement that resulted in a $2 million judgment and permanent injunction.
Represented internationally recognized brands in trademark and anti-counterfeiting actions resulting in multiple seven-figure judgments.
Served as lead counsel for OtterBox in litigation against a logistics company involved in the distribution of counterfeit products.
ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Lead counsel in federal trademark and counterfeiting litigation involving the unauthorized sale and distribution of merchandise bearing Harley-Davidson’s trademarks.
OtterBox and LifeProof
Lead counsel in numerous brand-protection and counterfeiting matters involving online sellers, distributors, logistics companies, and other businesses involved in the sale or distribution of counterfeit mobile-device accessories.
Michael Kors and Fossil Group
Represented the brands in trademark and anti-counterfeiting litigation involving online marketplaces, retailers, flea markets, and sellers of merchandise bearing unauthorized trademarks.
Levi Strauss & Co.
Represented Levi Strauss in federal litigation against importers and distributors of counterfeit merchandise, including matters resulting in seven-figure judgments.
Olaplex
Represented Olaplex in litigation concerning allegedly counterfeit hair-care products offered through a major online retail platform.
David Yurman
Represented David Yurman in intellectual property litigation involving copyrighted jewelry designs and trade dress, including matters resulting in monetary judgments, injunctions, seizure orders, and the seizure of thousands of infringing products.
Rolex
Handled trademark and anti-counterfeiting matters involving counterfeit watches and domain names incorporating the ROLEX trademark, including successful litigation and domain-name proceedings.
Online Creators and Streamers
Represented prominent online creators in matters involving copyright, DMCA takedowns, fair use, privacy, platform disputes, intellectual property ownership, and commercial agreements.
Gaming, Entertainment, Esports Athletes, and Technology Businesses
Advises companies and creators regarding business formation, intellectual property ownership, licensing, work-for-hire arrangements, talent agreements, sponsorships, technology agreements, and the development and commercialization of creative properties.
EXPERIENCE ACROSS INDUSTRIES.
Michael’s experience also extends beyond traditional private practice. He co-founded MelonSeed Media, an influencer-management company, where he served as Chief Legal Officer, and Evolved Talent, an esports talent agency, where he served as Chief Financial Officer. Those roles gave him direct experience with talent agreements, sponsorships, brand deals, business strategy, and the commercial realities facing creators, esports professionals, and digital-media businesses.
That combination of traditional intellectual property litigation and emerging-technology experience shapes Michael’s approach to modern brands, creators, and businesses.
INSIGHT BEYOND THE COURTROOM.
Michael is a frequent speaker and commentator on intellectual property,
brand protection, gaming, entertainment, technology, social media, and
the legal issues confronting creators and digital businesses. His legal
commentary and analysis have appeared in publications including
Game Informer, Wired, Rolling Stone, PC Gamer,
GamesIndustry.biz, The Daily Dot, World Trademark Review,
Publishers Weekly, Vice, and Kotaku.
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS.
EDUCATION & ADMISSIONS.
EDUCATION
Brooklyn Law School
Juris Doctor
Wagner College
Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude
Management & Finance
BAR & COURT ADMISSIONS
New York
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
United States District Court for the Northern District of New York
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
