“A preeminent commercial litigator with a deep level of experience and the ability to explain things to a judge so the core issue stands out.”
Chambers
“Lights up the courtroom.”
Chambers
“A good tactician.”
Chambers
“Well known, well connected, and a straight shooter.”
Chambers
“Always conducted himself with integrity.”
Opposing Counsel
“The Judge Whisperer.”
Opposing Counsel
Lee knows trials. Lee knows Texas. Lee knows how to win.
Over the course of his stellar career, Lee has tried dozens of cases in state and federal courts, representing plaintiffs and defendants ranging from individuals to Fortune 10 corporations. Highlighting his adaptability and ease in any setting, one of those successful trials was a 19-day Zoom trial during the Covid-19 pandemic, believed to be the longest virtual trial to-date in Texas.
Through the years, Lee has secured for his clients some of the largest verdicts in Texas. Because of his seasoned experience and notable victories, Lee has long been named a leading litigator in the state and nationwide.
He is especially celebrated for his intellectual-property work, but he has also achieved superior results in oil and gas, construction, securities, antitrust, FCPA, fraud, trade-secret, shareholder-rights, and class-action matters. These wide-ranging successes are due in part to Lee’s intellectual curiosity—he enjoys learning about his clients and their industries—and his ability to master complex business dealings or scientific concepts and explain them clearly to lay people like judges and juries.
Lee also serves as arbitrator in large, complex disputes, often appointed by former opposing counsel who have observed his bright mind, business savvy, and even temperament firsthand.
A lifelong Houstonian, Lee is dedicated to the community. He is an Eagle Scout and committed assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 212.
Representative Matters
Intellectual Property Litigation
- Represents jewelry retailer’s leaseholder defending against copyright and trademark lawsuit
- Represents defendant in copyright suit alleging improper publication of a photograph
- Represented Quantlab companies in trade secrets litigation, winning federal jury trial and securing permanent injunction against two defendants who elected not to resolve the case before trial. The Fifth Circuit affirmed.
- Represented WesternGeco in suit for infringement of four of its patents covering state-of-the-art technology for marine seismic surveys. WesternGeco obtained a favorable jury verdict on all issues and judgment for $123.8 million. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed.
Energy Litigation
- Successfully defended Fortune 100 energy company in Alaska federal court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in $100 million lawsuit brought by another Fortune 100 energy company over an AMI agreement covering oil and gas leases.
- Successfully defended on appeal a summary judgment dismissing all common-law and statutory claims of breach of contract, fraud, and negligence in a case alleging approximately $400 million in actual damages plus additional punitive damages for purported design problems in a catalytic cracking unit.
Other Commercial Litigation
- Representing individual defendant accused of misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty in Texas state court litigation
- Represented individual suing for breach of loan agreement, securing $1.6 million summary judgment in Texas state court
- Represented bank in qui tam action in federal court alleging violations of the Stark Amendment, the Anti-Kickback statute, and the Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act, arising from alleged incentives for referrals. The court found for the bank on all counts.
- Represented plaintiff whistleblower in False Claims Act qui tam action alleging that her employer (a provider) was defrauding Medicare by falsifying records of client/patient visits. Case settled with a payment by the provider to the United States and a whistleblower recovery by client.
- Represented Special Committee of board of directors in successful defense of state court litigation arising out of going-private transaction
Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America® in Bet-the-Company Litigation by Best Lawyers®, 2022 – 2026
- The Best Lawyers in America® in Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers®, 2018 – 2026
- The Best Lawyers in America® in Litigation: Intellectual Property by Best Lawyers®, 2018 – 2026
- The Best Lawyers in America® in Litigation: Patent by Best Lawyers®, 2028 – 2026
- The 500 Leading Litigators in America by Lawdragon, 2024 – 2026
- Texas Intellectual Property Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation, 2009 – 2025
- Texas White Collar Crime Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation, 2009 – 2025
- Texas Securities Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation, 2009 – 2025
- Texas Appellate Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation, 2009 – 2025
- Senior Statespeople: Litigation: General Commercial by Chambers USA, 2025
- Ranked in Texas for Litigation: General Commercial by Chambers USA, 2025
- Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters / Internet Brands, 2003 – 2025
- Top 100: Houston Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2005 – 2009, 2013 – 2015, 2017 – 2021
- Top 100: Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2007 – 2008, 2013, 2019 – 2020
Admissions & Organizations
- State Bar of Texas
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Eleventh, and Federal Circuits
- United States Court of Federal Claims
- United States District Courts for the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
- American Law Institute
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Institute for Transnational Arbitration
- London Court of International Arbitration
- Troop 212 Assistant Scoutmaster
