Lee R. Osman
PEOPLE

Lee R. Osman

Partner
osman.lee@dorsey.com

Overview

LEE “CUTS TO THE CHASE” AND USES DORSEY’S RESOURCES TO PRACTICALLY SOLVE HIS CLIENTS’ INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RELATED PROBLEMS.

Lee is known for his commitment to his clients’ success. Quoting one client, IAM Patent reports that he “takes a deep interest in clients’ products and offers practical and commercial solutions rather than legal theory” in its 2020 Patent 1000 rankings. Spending almost 20 years as Head of Dorsey's Patent Group has allowed Lee to gain invaluable insight into not only the Patent and Intellectual Property groups, but, just as importantly, Dorsey’s other practice groups. He also experienced first-hand the value of good teamwork, a commitment to excellence, and the importance of listening, learning and educating in both client and internal Dorsey relationships. As a result, Lee is fortunate to have the opportunity to maintain and develop client relationships over a long period of time, some for over two decades.

The four areas in which Lee focuses his practice include: 

  1. Analyzing and resolving intellectual property risks associated with product commercialization;
  2. Early-stage enforcement and defense of intellectual property rights, and follow-up together with Dorsey IP litigators if needed;
  3. Patent prosecution, portfolio growth and management strategy, and commercialization efforts; and
  4. Due diligence relating to mergers and acquisitions.

Because Lee’s clients are international, so is his practice. He assists clients with their IP in the above-mentioned four areas across the United States as well as in Europe and China. Some of the world’s best known global companies in the retail travel products, consumer fitness, health care and medical products, home furnishing goods, and manufacturing, industrial, and environmental processes and equipment industries rely on him for his ability to provide comprehensive, global advice. Technologies he enjoys include manufacturing and industrial automation and related systems, mechanical and related control systems, and environmental technology.

While Lee's personal legal practice is focused on intellectual property, his clients know him best for his high service standards, and his Dorsey colleagues know him for his cooperative spirit and for leadership. In addition to leading the Patent Group, Lee has served as the head of Dorsey’s Denver office, served on Dorsey’s Management Committee (2003 to 2007), and on the Policy Committee (2018 to present; Co-Chair 2019 to 2021). The internal Firm relationships he has developed while serving in these roles allows Lee to match his clients with the best legal talent in all the practice areas Dorsey has to offer.

Lee enjoys remaining close to innovation where possible. He designs and implements invention disclosure programs, and provides educational material and presentations for clients when helpful.

Lee worked as a semiconductor fabrication engineer at Honeywell, Inc. and ATMEL Corp. prior to becoming an attorney, which allows him to have a business perspective to the legal issues his clients face.

Education & Admissions

University of Denver College of Law (J.D., 1993)

Colorado State University (BSME, 1988), Pi Tau Sigma, Engineering Honor Society

Admissions

  • Colorado
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office
  • Federal District Court of Colorado

News & Resources

Articles

IAM Global Leaders 2023 Recognizes Four Dorsey Attorneys
Achieving Marketplace Advantage With Targeted Design Rights
Outmaneuver the Competition With Accelerated Patent Prosecution
Leveling the IP Enforcement Playing Field, Shanghai Business Review, Volume 7: Issue 6

News & Press Mentions

Four Dorsey Partners Named IAM Global Leaders 2025
Dorsey Attorneys Recognized for Intellectual Property Strength by 2024 IP Stars
201 Dorsey Lawyers Recognized in 2025 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
Dorsey & Whitney Recognized Among World’s Leading Patent Firms in IAM Patent 1000
Chambers USA 2024 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
IAM Global Leaders 2024 Recognizes Four Dorsey Attorneys
200 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
IAM Patent 1000 Recognizes 20 Dorsey Attorneys in World’s Leading Patent Professionals 2023
Dorsey Attorneys and Practices Recognized for Intellectual Property Strength by 2023 IP Stars
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practice in Denver
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Super Lawyers Recognizes Five Dorsey Lawyers in Denver
Six Dorsey Attorneys Named to Denver’s Top Lawyers 2023 List
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Super Lawyers Recognizes Five Dorsey Lawyers in Denver
Six Dorsey Attorneys Named to Denver’s Top Lawyers 2022 List
IAM Patent 1000 Recognizes 13 Dorsey Attorneys in World’s Leading Patent Professionals 2021
Seventeen Dorsey Attorneys Ranked as Managing Intellectual Property 2021 IP Stars
Super Lawyers Recognizes Six Dorsey Lawyers in Denver
Six Dorsey Attorneys Named to Denver’s Top Lawyers 2021 List
IAM Global Leaders Recognizes Four Dorsey Attorneys for 2021
Managing Intellectual Property Ranks Sixteen Dorsey Attorneys as 2020 IP Stars
IAM Patent 1000 Recognizes 13 Dorsey Attorneys in World’s Leading Patent Professionals 2020
Super Lawyers Recognizes Five Dorsey Lawyers in Denver
IAM Global Leaders Recognizes Four Dorsey Attorneys for 2020

Events & Speaking Engagements

Getting it Fast, Getting it Right: Accelerated Prosecution in the US, Europe and China, 2020 Rocky Mountain IP Institute
Drafting for Success in AI and Machine Learning, 2019 Rocky Mountain IP Institute
Webinar Playback: Mitigating IP Issues in China
TiE Institute: Put the I into Your IP

Select Presentations

  • “Ethics in the IP Practice,” CLE International, Denver, January, 2004

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Member, Colorado Bar Association, IP section
  • Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Member, Licensing Executives Society

Accolades

Chambers USA 2024 Dorsey LogoChambers USA 2023Chambers 2022Chambers USA 2021  Ranked in Chambers USA 2020  Ranked in Chambers USA 2019 Leading Individual  
Chambers USA 2018 Leading Individual  Ranked in USA Chambers 2017 Leading Individual  Ranked In - USA Chambers and Partners 2016 - Leading Individual   
Ranked in Chambers USA 2015 - Leading Individual 

  • Named one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” by Chambers USA (Intellectual Property), 2009-2024
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2007-2025
  • Recognized in IAM Global Leaders, 2020-2025
  • Recognized as a one of the "World's Leading Patent Professionals" by IAM Patent 1000, 2012-2013 and 2019-2024
  • Listed as a Top Lawyer in Denver by 5280 The Denver Magazine, Intellectual Property: Patent, 2015-2017 and 2020-2023
  • Listed as a Colorado Super Lawyer, 2010-2022
  • Recognized as an “IP Star” by Managing Intellectual Property Handbook, 2013-2024
  • Named "Denver Lawyer of the Year" in Patent Law, Technology Law by Best Lawyers©, 2020 and 2024
  • Named "Denver Lawyer of the Year" in Litigation - Intellectual Property by Best Lawyers©, 2016 and 2024
  • Recognized as the “Best Intellectual Property Lawyer (non litigator)” in Barrister’s Best - Law Week Colorado, 2015
  • Listed in Colorado's Corporate Counsel Black Book, Intellectual Property Transactions, 2007
  • 40 under 40, Denver Business Journal, 2004
Lee R. Osman