Lee Van Pelt

For more than two decades, Lee Van Pelt has occupied a singular position at the intersection of innovation and intellectual property law. As a founding partner at Van Pelt, Yi & James LLP in Los Altos, California, he has built a practice that is as analytically rigorous as it is strategically far-reaching – one that has shaped the patent landscapes of some of Silicon Valley's most consequential emerging companies.

Mr. Van Pelt's practice encompasses the full spectrum of intellectual property law, with particular depth in patent services, IP transactions, litigation and pre-litigation counseling. His strategic acumen has made him an invaluable resource to venture-backed startups and established enterprises alike – crafting patent portfolios that protect breakthrough technologies and evaluating intellectual property assets for investors, making high-stakes decisions. He also authors patent opinions and delivers rigorous litigation analysis, providing clients with the clarity needed to act decisively in competitive markets.

What distinguishes Mr. Van Pelt is the rare convergence of scientific rigor and legal mastery he brings to every engagement. He earned a Bachelor of Science summa cum laude in physics from the University of Missouri–Rolla, grounding his legal work in a genuine command of complex technical subject matter. He subsequently earned his Juris Doctor and the Order of the Coif from the UC Berkeley School of Law – one of the most competitive honors in legal academia.

Mr. Van Pelt extends his knowledge beyond the boardroom and courtroom as a faculty member at Berkeley Law, where he teaches both patent law and a technology-focused curriculum designed to bridge the gap between legal practice and the modern innovation landscape.