Lessing, Gunther (1886-1965) - How many
men could brag of having such an exciting past
as serving as lawyer for famed outlaw Pancho
Villa? Gunther Lessing moved from Villa on to
join Walt in 1930 to handle the legal affairs for
the Disney Studio, eventually becoming general
counsel and board member. Lessing was firm
and unyielding, being instrumental in helping
Walt establish the rights to Mickey Mouse and
the later Disney characters under the copyright
and trademark laws, though his firm tactics did
not always endear him to all Disney employees,
as during the divisive strike at the Studio in
1941.
