Enrico Schaefer is the Founding Partner of Traverse Legal, PLC, and the managing partner of its Detroit, Michigan office. With over 30 years of legal experience, Enrico has represented clients ranging from startups to some of the largest corporations in the world. His deep understanding of technology, combined with his legal expertise, allows him to provide services that not only meet his clients’ needs but also anticipate the challenges and risks that less technically savvy attorneys might overlook.

Enrico is a seasoned trial attorney, practicing complex litigation, AI, Web3, blockchain, internet, social media, domain, copyright, and trademark law globally. He has first-chair trial experience in a variety of litigation matters, including class action litigation, mass arbitration, internet and domain law, cybersquatting actions, intellectual property, non-competes, commercial and fiduciary litigation, Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (“UDRP”), and IP licensing. Enrico has represented some of the largest companies in the world in matters related to AI, blockchain, crypto, NFT, Web2 and Web3 domain names, trademark, copyright, and more.

He is renowned for his work in some of the largest and most complex litigation cases in the country, achieving record verdicts under the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, the Lanham Act, the Copyright Act, and various analogous state statutes. He regularly faces off against some of the biggest law firms in the world, consistently securing successful outcomes for his clients. His expertise in intellectual property, data privacy, and the intricate web of state and federal laws governing technology is widely recognized.

In addition to his technology-focused practice, Enrico represents clients in the entertainment and influencer markets, practicing social media, entertainment, and publicity rights law for some of the top social media influencers in the world. His work in this space includes advising on complex legal issues related to online presence, brand management, and digital content rights.

Before founding Traverse Legal in 2004, Enrico worked for some of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the world. From 1992 to 1995, he served as president and general counsel of All One Intranet, Inc. in Boulder, Colorado, an Internet startup with significant startup capital.

A leader in the technology law sector, Enrico has been an active council member of CompTIA, the world’s largest technology advocacy organization, as well as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the International Trademark Association (INTA), and several other prominent technology organizations. His insights and leadership in these roles have had a significant impact on shaping policies and practices within the technology and intellectual property sectors.

Enrico is a sought-after media commentator on technology and innovation issues, with appearances in both national and local media. He is a frequent author and presenter on protecting business interests in a global Internet economy, and his contributions to the discourse on these topics reflect his role as a thought leader in the field.

Enrico represents companies and business interests worldwide, including in over 23 different countries. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law, ranking 1st out of 96 in January 1990. Enrico received numerous academic awards and scholarships, including the American Jurisprudence Awards in Contracts, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Corporations, Evidence, Estates and Trusts, and Research Writing and Advocacy. He served as Managing Editor of the Detroit College of Law Review in 1989 and authored a Case Note Publication titled “Barring the Tort Claims of Fire Fighters and Police Officers,” published in the Detroit College of Law Review, Issue 3, Summer 1988. He is a member of the Michigan State Bar and has been admitted to practice in numerous other state and federal courts across the United States.

Representative General Counsel & Business Law Experience:

Here’s the compiled list of your representative general counsel and business law experience:

• Represented an aerial imaging and drone services company in business structuring, intellectual property portfolio management, and FAA compliance.
• Represented a virtual tour software and marketing services company in business structuring, intellectual property portfolio management, acquisitions and asset sales, and business contracts.
• Represented a film production company in film production contracts, copyright management, and licensing.
• Represented a security and intelligence solutions provider in contract negotiation and drafting, served as outside general counsel, managed government contracts, and handled trademark and intellectual property creation and protection.
• Represented a high-profile social media influencer with over 8 million followers in management, intellectual property creation and protection, licensing, TV and media contracts, and social media representation.
• Represented a marketing agency specializing in consumer packaged goods as outside general counsel, handling brand contracts, influencer licensing, and intellectual property enforcement.
• Represented one of the world’s largest cheese manufacturers and distributors in intellectual property protection, licensing, and contract enforcement.
• Represented the largest platform-as-a-service provider to global performing arts venues as outside general counsel, focusing on platform-as-a-service agreements, GDPR and data privacy compliance, and risk reduction.
• Represented a rapidly growing property management company specializing in short-term rental properties, advising on property management contracts, owner contracts, property development contracts, and short-term rental platform issues.
• Represented a leading board game publisher in manufacturer and distributor contracts, negotiation and drafting, intellectual property protection, partner buyouts, and provided outside general counsel services.
• Represented one of the most renowned ballet schools in the world on intellectual property management and protection issues.
• Represented a top social media influencer and former Playboy Playmate of the Year with over 15 million followers in brand protection, publicity rights, and influencer contract drafting and negotiation.
• Represented a major trash and recycling company in an asset acquisition and served as outside general counsel, handling employment matters, contract issues, and intellectual property protection.
• Represented numerous companies in the health and wellness space, specializing in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of consumer packaged goods as outside general counsel.
• Represented numerous top Amazon sellers on compliance with Amazon policies, addressing suspension and termination issues, ASIN number compliance, and unfair competition matters.
• Represented a premier automation design and integration service company for manufacturing in manufacturer, wholesaler, and data licensing agreements, contract negotiation and drafting, and guided the company through COVID with innovative products and services.

Representative Litigation and Arbitration Experience:

• Multiple nationwide Judgments and Injunctions in Favor of Plaintiffs alleging Cybersquatting and Lanham Act Violations under ACPA
• Lead Objectors Counsel in a $5 Billion Class Action
• $16.5 Million Dollar Judgment
• $3.2 Million Dollar Judgment
• $2.3 Million Dollar Judgment
• $1.8 Million Dollar Judgment
• 7 Consecutive Directed Verdicts for General Motors Corp
• Handled over 300 mass arbitration cases against one of the largest STR companies in the world on behalf of property managers and Airbnb hosts
• Multiple business arbitration disputes for both plaintiffs and defendants
• Numerous copyright infringement cases for both plaintiffs and defendants
• Numerous partner, fiduciary and minority shareholder disputes for both plaintiffs and defendants
• Defended multi-million dollar suit against my clients alleging breach of contract, minority shareholder oppression and breach of fiduciary duty.

Membership and Affiliations:

• Michigan State Bar – Admitted January 1990
• State Bar of Michigan – Admitted September 1990
• Detroit Bar Association – Member since 1991
• Intellectual Property Section, State Bar of Michigan – Member
• IT Law Section, State Bar of Michigan – Member
• Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim Bar Association – Member
• Defense Research Institute (DRI) – Member, 1990-1993
• American Trial Lawyers Association – Member
• Michigan Trial Lawyers Association – Member
• Numerous United States District Courts – Admitted to practice
• Numerous United States Courts of Appeals – Admitted to practice
• Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) – WHOIS Committee Member, 2016-2018
• CompTIA, Global Tech Trade Association – Unmanned Advisory Council Chairperson, 2018-present
• Blockchain Advisory Council – Member, 2022-present
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI) –  CompTIA Representative, Data Security Standards for Unmanned Vehicles, 2019-present
• International Trademark Association (INTA) – Member
• ConnecTech GT (Formerly Glima Northwest) – President and Board Member, 2004-2009
• Automation Alley – President and Board Member
• National Cherry Festival – Board of Governors, 2009-2010
• The NFT Lawyer on YouTube -Host and Thought Leader on Blockchain, Crypto, and NFT Technology, 2020-present
• The AI Lawyer on YouTube – Host and Thought Leader on AI Legal Issues, AI Adoption, and Innovation in the Practice of Law