Lee Popkin is a trial lawyer in the Litigation Department, co-head of the Mass Torts & Product Liability group, and a member of the Trial Strategies practice. Recognized as “an emerging go-to talent,” by Chambers USA, Lee has significant experience trying high-stakes cases in state and federal courts throughout the country. Her diverse practice spans complex commercial, product liability, and antitrust litigation and includes clients in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, consumer product, sports, and financial services industries.
Lee’s clients rely on her to handle all phases of litigation—from pre-litigation risk assessments through trial and resolution. They value her talent for simplifying complex issues, building credibility with judges and juries, and delivering thoughtful, strategic solutions.
Lee was named Young Lawyer of the Year (Litigation) by The American Lawyer for 2022 and shortlisted for Product Liability Lawyer of the Year in Euromoney’s Women in Business Law awards in 2023 and 2024. Lee is ranked by Chambers USA for Commercial Litigation and recognized by The Legal 500 for her work in Product Liability and Mass Torts. Benchmark Litigation named Lee among its “Litigation Stars” and included her in its '40 and Under' list.
Lee also devotes significant time to pro bono matters, and was recognized by KIND for her work representing two sisters from El Salvador fleeing gang violence.
Before joining Proskauer, Lee served as law clerk to the Honorable Sarah S. Vance of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. She received her J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School.
Education
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Harvard Law School, J.D.
cum laude
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Princeton University, A.B.
cum laude
Admissions & Qualifications
- New York
Clerkships
- U.S. District Court, Louisiana, Eastern District - Hon. Sarah S. Vance
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, New York, Eastern District
- U.S. District Court, New York, Southern District
Awards & Recognition
Benchmark Litigation Litigation Star 2026
Benchmark Litigation Future Star 2023-2025
Benchmark Litigation '40 and Under' 2023-2025
Best Lawyers in America Ones to Watch 2021-2025
Chambers USA: New York: Commercial Litigation 2024-2025
Chambers USA: New York: Commercial Litigation: Up & Coming 2022-2023
Euromoney Women in Business Law Awards: Shortlisted for Product Liability Lawyer of the Year 2023, 2024
The American Lawyer: Industry Awards: Young Lawyer of the Year 2022
The Legal 500 US: Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Defense: Consumer Products (Including Tobacco), 2023
The Legal 500 United States: General Commercial Disputes: 2025
Matters
Lee’s notable representations and victories include:
- Co-lead counsel for ATP Tour, Inc. in connection with putative class action antitrust litigation initiated by the Professional Tennis Players Association.
- Trial counsel for AbbVie in antitrust litigation stemming from alleged anticompetitive “pay-for-delay” agreement with a generic drug manufacturer.
- Trial counsel for Monsanto in Roundup litigation. Obtained two defense verdicts.
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice for Major League Soccer in the first concussion case filed against the League.
- Counsel for Gilead Sciences, Inc. in products liability litigation in federal and state court involving HIV medications.
- Secured a defense verdict for Johnson & Johnson in talcum powder litigation in St. Louis, where plaintiffs sought billions in damages.
- Obtained judgment notwithstanding the verdict in a talcum powder case for Johnson & Johnson in California.
- Secured jury verdict and permanent injunction for Diageo in a trade dress infringement case protecting its iconic Crown Royal whisky brand.
- Represented Tiffany & Co. in a trademark infringement action against Costco, successfully enforcing the luxury brand’s rights under the Lanham Act.
- Secured dismissal of state and federal dilution claims brought by an apparel brand against client Church & Dwight. The court’s decision made new law in the Second Circuit on the issue of whether a valid registration preempts state law claims of dilution.
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