Michael Lewis is Chief Counsel for Intellectual Property (“IP”) Protection and Security at the Entertainment Software Association (“ESA”) which represents the leading U.S. publishers of interactive software, computer and video games. In this role, he manages a team of IP and security professionals and is responsible for managing and executing ESA’s physical and online IP enforcement programs, and cybersecurity program. He works closely with ESA member companies to identify policy priorities and engages in the investigation and mitigation of IP and security threats both domestically and internationally. Prior to his role with ESA, Mr. Lewis was Senior Corporate Counsel, Intellectual Property Enforcement at Nintendo of America Inc. where he managed their global enforcement programs on behalf of various Nintendo and Pokémon brands.

Prior to his transition to the private sector, Mr. Lewis had a distinguished government career including serving as the first Regional Intellectual Property Attaché for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean based at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. In this position, he was responsible for promoting high standards of intellectual property protection and enforcement and served as a resource for both U.S. Government personnel and national governments within the region. He was also the senior advisor to U.S. Ambassadors in the region on intellectual property protection and enforcement policy issues. Mr. Lewis also served as Director and Intellectual Property Advisor in the Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC), Executive Office of the President. Mr. Lewis was responsible for providing policy and legal guidance on a broad range of intellectual property matters to the IPEC, coordinating the development and execution of the Administration’s Joint Strategic Plan Against Counterfeiting and Infringement, and facilitated the issuance of policy guidance to U.S. departments and agencies on intellectual property enforcement issues. Mr. Lewis also held multiple positions at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the U.S. Copyright Office.

Mr. Lewis earned his B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Economics from Howard University. He earned his Juris Doctor from the Catholic University, Columbus School of Law and earned his L.L.M in Intellectual Property from Yeshiva University, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York.