Alexander R. Schlee

Alexander R. Schlee is the founding partner of Schlee IP International, P.C., based in Manhattan Beach, California. He focuses his practice on intellectual property counseling and prosecution, with particular emphasis on patents, utility models, trademarks and industrial designs across international jurisdictions. He brings a technical background in mechanical and automotive engineering to the practice of intellectual property law, enabling close collaboration with inventors and design teams.

Mr. Schlee earned a Dipl.-Ing. in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, concentrating on automotive engineering, machine tools and flight mechanics. His German degree is equivalent to a U.S. master’s in mechanical engineering. While completing his studies, he worked as a technical designer in laboratory fittings, machine tools and the automotive sector, experience that informs his ability to analyze complex engineering inventions.

Over more than 30 years, Mr. Schlee has handled domestic and foreign patent procurements and enforcement, with a strong focus on international (PCT) filings, U.S. patents, European patents, and German patents and utility models. He routinely prepares and prosecutes applications, advises on portfolio strategy and navigates prosecution differences among patent offices to achieve coordinated protection for clients operating across borders.

After 13 years with a German-based IP firm, primarily at its Munich headquarters, Mr. Schlee established the firm’s Los Angeles office in 2000 and reorganized the practice in 2007 as Schlee IP International, P.C. He has represented numerous clients from the United States, Germany and other countries before national and international authorities, giving him practical insight into harmonizing disparate IP systems.

Known for technical precision and strategic pragmatism, Mr. Schlee offers clients a bicultural perspective that clarifies procedural variances and advances enforceable, commercially minded protection worldwide. He holds qualifications as a German Patent Attorney, European Patent Attorney, European Trademark & Design Attorney, U.S. Attorney at law (California) and U.S. Patent Attorney. 

Mr. Schlee’s memberships include the American Intellectual Property Law Association; the American Bar Association; the International Trademark Association; the Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association; the Orange County Intellectual Property Law Association; the San Diego Intellectual Property Law Association; the International Law Section, the Intellectual Property Law Section and the Law Practice Management Section of The State Bar of California; the Los Angeles County Bar Association and its International Law Section; the Deutscher Verband der Patentingenieure und Patentassessoren; and the German American Business Association.