Experience 

Lee N. Abrams concentrates his practice on antitrust, franchising and commercial litigation. His antitrust representations have included counseling and defending some of the world’s largest companies. He has also represented the plaintiff’s side in major antitrust litigation. Lee’s antitrust experience includes counseling on mergers; distribution questions; Justice Department, FTC and state attorneys general investigations; and other antitrust issues. According to Chambers USA 2008 "senior lawyer Lee Abrams is universally regarded as excellent in antitrust matters. Sources agree that the firm benefits greatly from his experience and expertise."

Lee’s franchising litigation and counseling experience has involved work for numerous major franchisors, franchisees and franchisee associations. He has also litigated major commercial cases, including significant intellectual property cases, in federal and state courts throughout the United States.

Notable Engagements 

• Provided antitrust litigation defense and/or counseling to such clients as General Motors Corporation, Ford Motor Company, NewsCorp, Eastman Kodak Company, Carnation Company, Dresser Industries, Pitney Bowes, Bell & Howell, International Paper, Hart, Schaffner & Marx, Sears Roebuck, PPG, Witco Chemical Company, and the United States Golf Association.
• Served as antitrust counsel to major plaintiffs, including Bell & Howell Company (against Eastman Kodak), Citicorp (against Western Union), and Dairy Queen Franchisee Association (against International Dairy Queen).
• Advised a variety of franchisors, including Burger King, Shell Oil, Taco Bell, Computerland, ReMax, Perkins Restaurants, and Friendly's Ice Cream.
• Counseled a number of franchisee association clients, including Dairy Queen Operators Association, Pizza Hut franchisee association, Midas franchisee association, Nutri-System franchisee association and Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust.
• Handled a wide range of commercial disputes, including representation of:  Dome Petroleum in litigation regarding a tender offer for Conoco stock, First Wisconsin Corporation in securities litigation involving First Wisconsin Real Estate Investment Trust, Continental Bank in "prime rate" litigation, Ameritech in "Yellow Pages" litigation against Reuben H. Donnelley, Pitney Bowes in trade secret litigation against Burroughs Corporation, United States Golf Association as plaintiff in several trademark infringement actions, and Perkins Family Restaurants in a trademark infringement case against Perkits Yogurt.

Education 

University of Michigan Law School, JD, with highest distinction, 1957; Law Review, Board of Editors • University of Michigan, AB, 1955; Phi Beta Kappa (junior year)

Admitted

• Illinois, 1957
• US Supreme Court, 1961
• US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1965
• US Tax Court, 1971
• Various other US District Courts and Courts of Appeal