Robert J.M. Lee
PEOPLE

Robert J.M. Lee

Partner
lee.robert@dorsey.com

Overview

ROBERT HELPS COMPANIES SOLVE THEIR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ISSUES.

Robert focuses on patent litigation, patent opinion work, licensing, and advising on IP matters such as open source software licensing. He has experience in working with a range of technologies, such as small molecules, consumer electronics, video games, social networking, mechanical inventions, and eyewear design. He has litigation experience in venues across the U.S., including patent litigation hotspots in California, Texas, and Delaware, as well as before the U.S. Patent and Trademark office and the Federal Circuit.

Before joining Dorsey, Robert spent over eight years with University of Washington CoMotion, the university’s tech transfer office, in the office’s IP Management group.

In addition, Robert guest lectures on IP law and policy to classes at the University of Washington and other local groups.

Robert is fluent in Japanese.

Education & Admissions

University of Washington School of Law (J.D., 2015), High Honors (Top 5%); Order of the Coif

University of Washington (B.A., 2007)

University of Washington Bioengineering (M.S., Pharmaceutical Bioengineering, 2018)

Admissions

  • Washington

Languages

  • Japanese

Experience

Representative Experience

Representative Litigation Experience

  • Represented a multinational Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer and its U.S. subsidiary as defendants in D. Del. and appellees before Federal Circuit, involving LCD display technology
  • Represented a multinational Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer and its U.S. subsidiary as defendants in E.D. Tex., involving semiconductor design technology
  • Represented a multinational Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer and its U.S. subsidiary as defendants in E.D. Va., involving network feature technology
  • Represented a Canadian outdoor equipment manufacturer in W.D. Wash. in assertion of patent assets against competitors, involving ski binding technology
  • Represented a U.S. bank as defendant in D. Minn. and appellant before Federal Circuit, involving check processing technology
  • Represented a U.S. medical device testing equipment manufacturer in D. Minn. in assertion of patent assets against competitor, involving heart valve testing technology
  • Represented U.S. video game start-ups as defendants in W.D. Wash. against patent, copyright, and trade dress claims, involving various aspects of role-playing video game

Representative Administrative Proceeding Experience

  • Represented a multinational Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer and its U.S. subsidiary as petitioners in Inter-Partes Review proceedings before the PTAB, involving LCD display technology
  • Represented vintner as petitioner in opposition and cancellation proceedings before the TTAB

Representative Advising Experience

  • Strategic counseling to Japanese semiconductor company regarding patent matters
  • Strategic counseling to social media company regarding IP matters
  • Strategic counseling to energy industry client regarding patent matters
  • Advise branded pharmaceutical manufacturer regarding freedom to operate
  • Advise consumer electronics manufacturer regarding freedom to operate

Representative Pro Bono Experience

  • Supervising law students at University of Washington School of Law in representing small and non-profit businesses on IP issues through the University of Washington Entrepreneurial Law Clinic

News & Resources

Select Presentations

  • “Copyright and Open Source Licensing,” University of Washington Global Innovation Exchange, Seattle, WA July 5, 2018
  • “Design Patent Basics,” Litigation Strategies for the Protection of IP, UW School of Law, Seattle, WA, May 2, 2018
  • “Pharma Patent Basics,” Pharmaceutics II, University of Washington, August 10, 2017
  • “Intellectual Property Law and Policy Basics,” Technology Policy, UW Evans School of Public Affairs, Seattle, WA, April 19, 2017
  • “Patent Prosecution Practice in Japan,” Japan Patent Attorneys Association and Washington State Patent Law Association, Seattle, WA, February 7, 2017
  • “IP and Entrepreneurship,” University of California San Diego Global Innovation Training Workshop, San Diego, CA, January 13, 2017
  • “Intellectual Property Overview,” Entrepreneurial Law Clinic, UW School of Law, Seattle, WA, October 14, 2016 
  • “Design Patent Basics,” IP Seminar, Dorsey & Whitney, Seattle, WA, January 13, 2016
  • “Intellectual Property Law and Policy Basics,” Technology Policy, UW Evans School of Public Affairs, Seattle, WA, November 12, 2015
  • “Intellectual Property Q&A,” UW CoMotion Entrepreneurial Law Clinic Series, Seattle, WA , April 3, 2015
  • “Patent 101,” UW CoMotion Entrepreneurial Law Clinic Series, Seattle, WA, March 6, 2015

Industries & Practices

  • Healthcare & Life Sciences
  • Intellectual Property
  • Intellectual Property Litigation
  • Patent Prosecution & Strategy
  • Technology
  • Technology Commerce
  • Trademark, Copyright + Advertising

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Wayfind Volunteer Attorney

Accolades

  • Listed as a "Rising Star" by Washington Super Lawyers, 2019-2024
  • Named "Seattle Ones to Watch" in Litigation-Intellectual Property by Best Lawyers®, 2021-2022 and 2024-2025

Contributed 50+ Pro Bono Hours in 2020

  • Contributed more than 50 Challenge pro bono hours, 2020
Robert J.M. Lee