PREMIUM
Lee E. Berlik

Lee E. Berlik

BerlikLaw, LLC
  • Arbitration & Mediation, Communications & Internet Law, Business Law ...
  • District of Columbia, Virginia
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ALII GoldBlawg SearchSocial Media
Biography

Lee E. Berlik is the founder and managing member of BerlikLaw, LLC. Based in Northern Virginia, BerlikLaw concentrates its practice in the areas of defamation law (libel and slander), business disputes, and intellectual property litigation. Formerly with Troutman Sanders and Mintz Levin, Lee brings his big-firm background and experience to offer clients top-notch legal services at drastically reduced rates. Lee is listed among Virginia's "Legal Elite" by Virginia Business Magazine and is rated "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell.

Education
American University Washington College of Law
J.D.
-
Honors: Cum Laude
American University Washington College of Law Logo
Rochester Institute of Technology
B.S. | Technical Communications
-
Honors: High Honors (magna cum laude)
Placeholder image for education.
Professional Experience
Managing Member
BerlikLaw, LLC
Current
Litigation Associate
Mintz Levin
-
Litigation Associate
Troutman Sanders
-
Publications
Articles & Publications
Employment Law, Annual Review of Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation
Pretrial Practice and Discovery Committee's Quarterly Newsletter
American Bar Association, Section of Litigation
ABA Proposal Muddies Pretrial Publicity Waters
National Law Journal
Awards
A.V. Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
After a survey of judges and lawyers throughout Virginia and the District of Columbia, Martindale-Hubbell awarded Lee Berlik the nation's highest and most prestigious legal rating, AV, putting him in the top 3% of all United States litigation attorneys.
Legal Elite, Civil Litigation
Virginia Business Magazine
Voted one of the top civil litigation attorneys in Virginia
Professional Associations
Virginia State Bar
Member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Loudoun County Bar Association
Member
Current
Activities: Board Member 2008
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Fairfax County Bar Association
Member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
American Bar Association
Member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
National Employment Lawyers Association
Member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Virginia Bar Association
Member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
District of Columbia
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Virginia
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
4th Circuit
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
U.S. Supreme Court
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Practice Areas
    Arbitration & Mediation
    Business - Arbitration/Mediation, Consumer - Arbitration/Mediation, Family - Arbitration/Mediation
    Communications & Internet Law
    Internet Law, Media & Advertising, Telecommunications Law
    Business Law
    Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
    Appeals & Appellate
    Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
    Employment Law
    Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
    Entertainment & Sports Law
    Intellectual Property
Additional Practice Areas
  • Breach of Contract
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Constitutional Law
  • General Civil
  • Trademarks and Copyrights
  • Trial Practice
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
Q. I was asked to take down my review because it was libelous, but I only spoke the truth to warn others, what should I do?
A: You can find a quick summary of Virginia defamation law at https://www.virginiadefamationlawyer.com/2013/02/defamation-of-character-libel-and-slander-law-in-virginia.html. You'll see that falsity is a required element of any defamation claim. This means that if, as you say, everything you wrote was 100% true, it is not "libelous" and you should be fine. In response to the second part of your question, you should assume that if there is a court case, the plaintiff will probably be able to prove you were the one who wrote the review. How? By asking you directly. (You don't want to commit perjury, do you?) But don't worry about that. You told the truth, and you exercised your right to criticize a local business. Do not let her intimidate you. ... Read More
Q. My ex-girlfriend is posting horrible false stories about me on social media.
A: If you have a valid libel case, then yes, you can still sue her regardless of whether Facebook takes the posts down. The only effect Facebook's actions would have on your libel claim is that your damages (i.e., the harm caused by the defamatory posts) would be reduced due to the shorter time the public was exposed to the statements. To get a general idea of whether you have a valid libel case against her, see this blog post I wrote a few years ago: https://www.virginiadefamationlawyer.com/2013/02/defamation-of-character-libel-and-slander-law-in-virginia.html.
View More Answers
Websites & Blogs
Website
Lee Berlik's Website Profile
Website
BerlikLaw, LLC Website
Blog
The Virginia Business Litigation Blog
Blog
Virginia Defamation Law Blog
Contact & Map
BerlikLaw, LLC
Reston (Main Office)
1818 Library St
#500
Reston, VA 20190
Telephone: (703) 722-0588