Brenda Lee represents companies, universities, and individuals in a broad range of investigations and related proceedings, including white collar criminal, securities enforcement, anti–money laundering (AML), and anti-discrimination matters. She has significant experience representing financial institutions, tech companies, and individuals in parallel proceedings, including overlapping criminal and civil investigations. The vice-chair of the firm’s Anti-Discrimination Practice, Ms. Lee has extensive experience conducting racial equity and civil rights audits, culture reviews, sensitive internal investigations involving allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, and discrimination, and reviews of corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Ms. Lee has represented clients in investigations and enforcement proceedings brought by the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, FINRA, FinCEN, state Attorneys General, and various Inspectors General. She has defended financial institutions, corporations, and individuals against allegations of securities fraud, Bank Secrecy Act/AML program violations, government contracting fraud, and other state and federal violations. She has conducted numerous internal investigations, both in the US and abroad, often involving allegations of fraud or financial reporting violations.  

Ms. Lee has substantial experience representing companies and universities in anti-discrimination matters and advising on issues related to gender and race. She has led or co-led dozens of racial equity and civil rights audits and other similar reviews for financial institutions, technology and social media companies, and non-profit organizations. She regularly handles internal investigations in the wake of allegations of harassment and discrimination across a broad range of industries. Ms. Lee also advises clients on best practices for effectively responding to harassment and discrimination complaints and developing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. 

Ms. Lee shares the firm's commitment to pro bono work, with an emphasis on children's law issues. In addition, she has represented multiple criminal defendants in Maryland state courts, including an individual who successfully challenged his life-term prison sentence on constitutional grounds.

Professional Activities

Ms. Lee serves on the Board of Directors of the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. She also has a longstanding relationship with the Children's Law Center and previously served on its Advisory Board. She is a member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of DC.

Ms. Lee is co-hiring partner for the DC office and a member of the firm's Diversity Committee and Pro Bono and Community Service Committee.