Lesli D. Harris

BIOGRAPHY

Lesli D. Harris focuses her practice primarily on intellectual property, sports and entertainment law, and emerging companies. She has also successfully handled class action defense and general business litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Harris was a partner at Stone Pigman Walther Wittman in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was formerly Chief of Staff and Executive Counsel to the President at Loyola University.

Ms. Harris received her LL.M in Trade Regulation, with a concentration in Intellectual Property, from New York University School of Law. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Tulane University School of Law, and her B.A. from the University of Virginia. She is licensed to practice law in Louisiana and New York.

EXPERIENCE AND HIGHLIGHTS

• Represented the National Football League, Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers in 2013 Super Bowl anti-counterfeiting operation and proceedings
• Regularly represented the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans in intellectual property matters, including trademark protection and policing
• Represented the Forum for Equality and same-sex couples in marriage equality litigation in federal court
• Represented the Housing Authority of New Orleans in class action litigation concerning alleged environmental hazards
• Represents Grambling State University in trademark registration and enforcement efforts
• Defended NBC Universal and Syfy Network in copyright and trademark litigation in federal district court
• Represented NBC Universal and Bravo Media in connection with policing and enforcement of “Real Housewives” trademark rights
• Defended a Hollywood actor/director/producer in a federal jury trial involving $18 million in claims of securities law violations and fraud brought by investors
• Defended New Orleans and Seattle-based clothing boutique against trademark and trade dress infringement claims
• Represented an international beverage company in trademark litigation
• Represented nationally syndicated radio talk show host in copyright litigation

AFFILIATIONS

• New Orleans Bar Association, Board Member
• New Orleans Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Committee, Chair
• Federal Bar Association, Board Member
• Young Artists Young Aspirations, Board Member
• New Orleans Film Society, Board Member
• Industrial Development Board of the City of New Orleans, Board Member

HONORS

• Chambers USA, Louisiana, Spotlight, 2021-2024
  • Intellectual Property Law
• Best Lawyers in America®, U.S. News & World Report, 2024, 2025
  • Advertising Law
  • Litigation – Intellectual Property
  • Trade Secrets Law
  • Trademark Law
• Louisiana Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2018-2025
  • Intellectual Property Law
• Top 25 Women Louisiana Super Lawyers, Louisiana Life Magazine, 2022,2023
• New Orleans CityBusiness Women of the Year Honoree, 2022
• Top Lawyer, New Orleans Magazine, 2018, 2020-2023
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Communications Law
• Leadership in Law, New Orleans CityBusiness, 2013, 2017, 2021
• Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Star, Thomson Reuters, 2014, 2015
  • Intellectual Property Law
• 40 Under 40, Gambit’s, 2014
• Martindale-Hubble AV Preeminent
• Forum for Equality Acclaim Award

EDUCATION

• New York University School of Law, LL.M. in Trade Regulation, 2008
• Tulane University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2002
• University of Virginia, B.A., 1997

ADMISSIONS

• New York, 2009
• Louisiana, 2002

SPEECHES & PUBLICATIONS

• Speaker, “Legislative Chambers v. Courts of Law,” New Orleans Bar Association American Inn of Court CLE, May 2024
• Speaker, Empower 2022 New Orleans Conference, June 2022
• Speaker, “Creative, Cost-Effective Strategies for Resolving Intellectual Property Disputes,” American Bar Association Webinar, March 2021
• Speaker, “IP and Mardi Gras,” Louisiana State Bar Association IP Webinar, February 2021
• Speaker, Litigating the Disaster Case,” ABA Business Section Spring Meeting, 2017
• Speaker, “Match Game, My In-House Counsel Wants ____,” ABA Litigation Section Spring Meeting, 2017
• Speaker, “Pokémon in the Wild,” ABA Litigation Section Spring Meeting, 2017
• Speaker, “Patents in Turmoil,” ABA Business Section Fall Meeting, 2015
• Author, “Branding and Advertising the Right Way: Do’s, Don’ts and Legal Issues in Promoting your Brand,” New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, 2014
• Co-Author, “Expanding Trademark Law Toward a ‘Merchandizing Right’ – The University of Alabama Goes After the ‘Houndstooth Mafia’,” Louisiana Sports Association Newsletter, 2014
• Speaker, “Crimes of Fashion: SEC Violations, Criminal Counterfeiting, Labor Law Violations and More in the Fashion Industry,” New Orleans Bar Association, 2013
• “Procrastinators Program: Shoes War II, Fashion and Intellectual Property Law,” New Orleans Bar Association, 2012
• “Shoe Wars: CLE for the Sole,” New Orleans Bar Association, 2011