The National Law Journal has named Partner Bill Lee to its 2016 list of Intellectual Property Trailblazers & Pioneers. This special supplement celebrates individuals who continue to make their mark in various aspects of legal work in the areas of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret law. Those selected have shown a deep passion and perseverance in pursuit of their mission, having achieved remarkable successes along the way.
Lee is a leading IP litigator who has represented technology-focused clients for more than 40 years. His trial and appellate experience is extensive—trying approximately 200 cases to verdict and arguing more than 75 cases to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and other appellate courts. His cases have included some of the highest profile patent cases of the last decade. His clients include Apple, Ford Motor Company and Pfizer.
When he joined Hale and Dorr LLP in 1976, he was the first Asian-American lawyer at a major law firm in Boston; when he became the Managing Partner of the firm 24 years later, he was the first Asian-American leader of an AmLaw 100 firm. When he was elected Fellow of the Harvard Corporation, the University's highest governing body, in 2010, he was the first Asian-American to be selected to serve Harvard Corporation, the University's highest governing body; and he now is the first Asian-American to serve as the Senior Fellow of Harvard. He is a diversity pioneer in the legal industry.
In the special supplement, published by The National Law Journal in December 2016, Lee had the opportunity to share his pioneer spirit, past responsibilities and his thoughts on the future of intellectual property and the US economy.
"In IP, the future is as robust as it is ambiguous," Lee shared with the journal. "Technology and advances, innovations and inventions are critical to the US to compete in a global economy. The ways that IP laws change with these issues, as they did in genetic engineering and smartphones, will be a fascinating space to practice in. What is being invented right now will push the boundaries of IP laws. The manner in which technology is promoted, encouraged and protected will be critical."