John A. Lee

John A. Lee, a partner in the Global Insurance Services Practice Group, counsels and defends clients involved in insurance cases, especially those pertaining to complex environmental issues.

With an extensive background in environmental science and nearly 20 years of experience as a trial and appellate civil litigator, John has successfully defended clients matters as diverse as multi-party coverage disputes, million-dollar environmental site remediations, PCB, asbestos, and lead exposure claims, alleged construction negligence, and premises and professional liability. He also has handled dozens of workers’ compensation disputes and negotiated a successful resolution of a Lanham Act case regarding trademarks and competition.

Possessing a master’s degree in meteorology, John brings to his practice an uncommonly deep understanding of the environmental issues underlying the legal challenges his clients are facing. As an environmental consultant, John undertook over 50 Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments for both government and private sector clients.

He has experience with CAA, CWA, RCRA, and NPDES compliance matters, and is familiar with fate and transport modeling and toxic exposure risks. Because of his extensive environmental science knowledge, he is particularly skilled at both cross-examining and preparing expert witnesses in environmental cases.

His experience in both insurance law and environmental science allows him to act as a nexus connecting clients, his attorney colleagues, expert witnesses, and often judges, ensuring that all parties share an understanding of the legal, environmental, and regulatory issues at stake, a cross-disciplinary authority that allows him to provide his clients with comprehensive counsel as well as powerful defense. John is also a frequent contributor to the firm’s Environmental Law Monitor blog.

Professional Affiliations:

• Chicago Bar Association
• American Meteorological Society

Education:

• DePaul University College of Law, J.D., 1998
• University of Wisconsin, M.S., 1988
• University of Wisconsin, B.S., 1985