S. Michael Lee is Senior Counsel at Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP. He works in the Walnut Creek office. He is a member of the Firm’s Data Security, Privacy & Technology and Commercial Litigation practice sections. He is also active in the Compliance & Pre-Breach Services interdisciplinary team.

Mr. Lee brings substantial experience to FMG. He served as Head of Legal or General Counsel for three Silicon Valley startups. These included an AI chip design company, a social networking platform, and an AI chatbot builder. He previously worked as a civil regulator and white-collar crime prosecutor with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. As a civil regulator, he enforced Proposition 65 and False Advertising (B&P 17200/17500) cases. He also worked as a Senior Associate on the complex trial team of an AmLaw 200 firm.

Mr. Lee has handled 47 jury trials in state and federal court. These trials covered breach of fiduciary duty, theft of trade secrets, financial crime, false advertisement, and automobile negligence. He also handled white-collar prosecutions, including tax evasion, embezzlement, and fraud.

Today, Mr. Lee represents clients in commercial litigation, intellectual property, privacy, and data breach matters. He also defends companies in Proposition 65 cases. He is known for his strategic approach to litigation. He focuses on practical, business-focused solutions.

Mr. Lee is admitted to practice in California. He earned his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law. He earned his B.A. with honors from the University of California, Berkeley.