Skip to Main Content
Professional Photo
Professionals

Lesli Harris

Special Counsel

Lesli Harris is a special counsel in the Firm's New Orleans office and a member of the Advocacy Department.

Overview


  • New York University School of Law, LL.M., 2008
  • Tulane University School of Law, J.D., 2002, cum laude
  • University of Virginia, B.A., 1997
  • New York, 2009
  • Louisiana, 2002

Lesli Harris is a special counsel in Baker Donelson's New Orleans office, where she focuses her practice on intellectual property, entertainment law, and complex commercial litigation. Ms. Harris brings more than two decades of experience representing national and global brands in intellectual property, branding, and trademark enforcement matters.

Ms. Harris also has experience handling class action defense, civil rights litigation, including marriage-equality advocacy in federal courts, and general business disputes. Prior to joining Baker Donelson, Ms. Harris practiced at two prominent New Orleans law firms and served as chief of staff and executive counsel to the President at Loyola University.

In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Harris is an active civic leader in New Orleans, serving on boards dedicated to housing, youth services, criminal justice, and cultural development, such as the New Orleans Children & Youth Planning Board, the New Orleans Tourism & Cultural Fund, the Louisiana Museum Foundation, and the Sanford Krasnoff Criminal Justice Council. Ms. Harris currently serves on the New Orleans City Council.

  • 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 a New Orleans and Seattle-based clothing boutique against trademark and trade dress infringement claims.

  • Represented an international beverage company in trademark litigation.

  • Represented a nationally syndicated radio talk show host in copyright litigation.

  • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Listed since 2024 in The Best Lawyers in America® for Advertising Law; Litigation – Intellectual Property; Trade Secrets Law; and Trademark Law
  • Listed in Chambers USA, as a leading Intellectual Property lawyer in Louisiana (2021 – 2024)
  • Selected to Louisiana Super Lawyers in Intellectual Property Law (2018 – 2025)
  • Listed in Top 25 Women Louisiana Super Lawyers, Louisiana Life Magazine (2022 and 2023)
  • Honoree – New Orleans CityBusiness Women of the Year (2022)
  • Recognized as a "Top Lawyer" by New Orleans Magazine in Intellectual Property Law and Communications Law (2018, 2020 – 2023)
  • Honoree – Leadership in Law, New Orleans CityBusiness (2013, 2017, 2021)
  • Featured – "Counsel to Council," 2025 Louisiana Super Lawyers magazine (March 2025)
  • "Expanding Trademark Law Toward a 'Merchandising Right' – The University of Alabama Goes After the 'Houndstooth Mafia'," Louisiana Sports Association Newsletter (2014)
  • "Seminar Tips (and Differences) for Appearing Before the Judiciary and Legislative Bodies," Louisiana State Bar Association's New York Multi-Topic Conference (November 2024)
  • "Legislative Chambers v. Courts of Law," New Orleans Bar Association American Inn of Court CLE (May 2024)
  • Empower 2022 New Orleans Conference (June 2022)
  • "Creative, Cost-Effective Strategies for Resolving Intellectual Property Disputes," American Bar Association Webinar (March 2021)
  • "IP and Mardi Gras," Louisiana State Bar Association IP Webinar (February 2021)
  • "Litigating the Disaster Case," ABA Business Section Spring Meeting (2017)
  • "Match Game, My In-House Counsel Wants ____," ABA Litigation Section Spring Meeting (2017)
  • "Pokémon in the Wild," ABA Litigation Section Spring Meeting (2017)
  • "Patents in Turmoil," ABA Business Section Fall Meeting (2015)
  • "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)

Email Disclaimer

NOTICE: The mailing of this email is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Anything that you send to anyone at our Firm will not be confidential or privileged unless we have agreed to represent you. If you send this email, you confirm that you have read and understand this notice.
Cancel Accept