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Getting to know ‘Hobby Lawyer’ Paul Lesko
Paul Lesko’s hobby start and hobby story isn't much different than most of ours, but his collecting interests probably doesn't mirror most collectors.
Lesko became an attorney in 1999 after graduating from Tulane University, and he loves the legal field. If you follow the hobby to any extent you know the last few years have seen an increase of card shows, card stores, content creation, and also hobby-related court cases in both federal and local jurisdictions as well.
From trademark and copyright infringement, illegal products, theft of services or talent, etc., there is no shortage of hobby cases on the dockets. It's the stuff that bridges both worlds for Lesko.
Fanatics vs. Panini: Legal experts weigh in on case that could impact future of hobby
His passion for both the hobby and the law have made him the unofficial official point man known as “The Hobby Lawyer.” People inside and probably outside the hobby anticipate and appreciate his insight and analysis of these hobby cases.
Lesko has used his X (formally Twitter) account, @paul_lesko, to break down these cases, share new developments, and give insights only someone with a legal background could provide.
What I love about Lesko’s analysis is that he breaks it down in a way that someone not versed in legalese can understand easily. I also appreciate the fact he's very candid and shares his thoughts and opinions on the cases themselves. He can do that because he's not directly involved in the cases but his credentials allow him access that us mere mortals don't have.
Lesko appeared on Sports Card Nation episodes 246 and 265 and look for him to return periodically to share updates on legal matters in the hobby and talk about the hobby in general. While we obviously hear about the big cases like Fanatics vs. Panini, Lesko reminds us there's about 40 hobby-related cases currently in the courts.
Lesko got his start in the Hobby in the 1980s. A 1986 Topps set was the first set he completed. Even though he was a Chicago kid, a player he chased was Dwight Gooden. Like many, he took a break from the hobby, then returned in 2006 to buy some sets for his kids and the collecting bug bit him again.
The first hobby legal article he wrote was about Upper Deck using the 1975 Topps Baseball frame design as an O-Pee-Chee insert in their hockey product. He illustrated the similarities by putting pictures of both cards side by side.
He then decided his collection would consist of cards and sets involved in these cases of litigation. Now there's a PC I'm sure many collectors don't have a passion for quite like Lesko does.
Lesko’s passion is unquestioned. I got to meet him at last year's National in Chicago. He was easy to find because he was wearing a baseball jersey with “The Hobby Lawyer” inscribed on the back. He had numerous people from the hobby sign it, and I was fortunate to get to sign it. It was the first, and probably last, baseball jersey I will get to sign, but it was a fun moment indeed.
It was a pleasure getting to meet Lesko in person and chat for a little while. Even if hobby litigation is not your jam, please keep in mind that the outcome and results from these cases directly affect the hobby we all love.
Paul loves it too, and we are all the better for it.
— John Newman is a collector, dealer and the host of the Sports Card Nation podcast. Catch his Hobby Quick Hits on Monday and his guest interviews on Friday on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach him at sportscardnationpc@gmail.com or on Twitter at @sportscardnati1
John Newman is the host of the Sports Card Nation podcast
