Noted litigator Lee Dresie has distinguished himself by winning high-stakes judgments and defenses for his real estate, business, and entertainment clients. But some of his most stirring victories came on a different type of court:

“For eight years I was the only NCAA basketball coach and full-time practicing attorney in the country,” says Lee. “Now I may be the only full-time practicing attorney who's also a sportswriter.” Lee writes for the San Antonio Spurs blog, Pounding the Rock. 

The power of persuasion.

Lee served as a basketball coach at nearby Claremont McKenna College from 1985 to 1994, experience that, he says, has translated well to the courtroom. “Talking to 12 people in a jury is not all that different from talking to 12 basketball players. You are trying to persuade them to see and do things your way, not some other way. And both require the ability to think on your feet.”

That persuasive ability helped Lee win basketball games, and has helped him prevail for his clients in vital cases: Winning a $2 million verdict for clients Whisky-A-Go-Go and Ace Outdoor Advertising; successfully defending the seller of an industrial property who had accidentally misrepresented its size; and, defeating a $15 million breach of fiduciary duty claim against a TV station co-owner.

Preparation is key.

As with sports, Lee knows that succeeding at litigation requires disciplined preparation. He respects that process and always walks into court fully prepared. “It’s my job to thoroughly understand the facts of the case, analyze the opponent, prepare my theme, and be ready for unexpected moves,” says Lee.

He also knows that litigation can be very stressful for the client who has so much riding on the outcome. As a result, Lee strives to relieve his clients’ worries.

“I tell my clients they don't need to stress about the case because I'm doing that for them. I am handling it on their behalf,” he says. “They should have confidence that I'm going to do the best I can with the given facts. I will also be completely honest with them as to likely outcomes—including addressing facts that aren't good and things we need to work around.”

“The worst thing an attorney can do,” says the former basketball coach, “is to tell clients they have a slam-dunk case when they don’t – because no cases are slam dunks.”

And that helps his clients rest assured.

A diverse leader and respected colleague.

Lee’s leadership extends beyond “the courts.” A former chair of the firm’s litigation department and member of Greenberg Glusker’s management committee, Lee currently serves as the firm’s general counsel. In the professional community, Lee has acted as legal advisor to the board of the American Industrial Real Estate Association, also known as AIR CRE, since 2005.

Lee is also recognized by his peers, earning a Martindale-Hubbell AV-preeminent rating, the highest rating possible, since 2000, and has been named by Los Angeles Magazine as a Super Lawyer since 2009.