Hogan Lovells 2024 Election Impact and Congressional Outlook Report
Lee Whitesell
Senior Associate Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment
-
Overview
-
Experience
-
Credentials
-
Insights and events
Lee Whitesell thrives in the space between the theoretical and the practical. As a veteran of the United States Army, Lee wields a tenacious work ethic and unswerving loyalty to find creative and functional solutions for his clients' most complex disputes.
Lee's experience spans the full life cycle of complex litigation in state and federal court, from investigating claims and managing discovery through trial and on to appeals. He also serves as litigation counsel in bankruptcy court, and advises clients across a wide range of industries, including energy, life sciences, and health care.
Lee previously served as a law clerk to the Honorable Edith Hollan Jones, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School where he learned litigation at the highest levels as a member of the Penn Supreme Court Clinic.
Prior to law school, Lee served as a logistics officer in the United States Army. He earned the Bronze Star Medal during his deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom in support of the First Cavalry Division.
Representative experience
Defended global investment bank against US$75m securities dispute arising from securitization of deepwater drillship charter revenues.
Obtained favorable settlement of claims involving complex federal bankruptcy and energy law issues for major North American pipelines resisting Chapter 11 debtor's effort to reject transport contracts
Represented pharmacy services technology company in breach of contract and trade secrets jury trial and appeal, resulting in a total award of nearly US$30m.
Secured dismissal of all claims against major healthcare services provider in wide-ranging RICO and antitrust lawsuit.
Provided ongoing advice to global oil and gas company regarding COVID-19 response and related government directives.
Represented global engineering firm in responding to SEC investigation into disclosures regarding a billion-dollar LNG construction project.
Assisted with certiorari and merits briefing resulting in a Supreme Court decision preserving a long-standing WWI memorial.
Litigation counsel for Nigerian subsidiary of international oil company enforcing right to arbitral award against affiliate of Chapter 7 debtor.
Litigation counsel to U.S. oil and gas company in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, resulting in favorable settlement of potential adversary proceeding.
Texas counsel to major drug manufacturer in multidistrict opioid litigation.
Represented oil and gas exploration company in US$60m fast-track arbitration against midstream processor.
Successfully defended prominent political candidate against natural-born citizen "birther" challenge.
Obtained US$152m jury verdict for property management software provider ResMan on claims of trade secrets misappropriation, breach of contract, and tortious interference with contract.
*Matter handled prior to joining Hogan Lovells.
Credentials
Education
- J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School, cum laude, 2014
- Certificate in Management, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, 2014
- B.A., The College of New Jersey, 2007
Bar admissions and qualifications
- Texas
Court admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Memberships
- Director, Southern District of Texas Federal Bar Association