Gunther Lessing
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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.