Of Counsel
Richard Lee is Of Counsel with Salisian | Lee LLP, having previously co-founded and co-managed the firm. He focuses his practice on complex business litigation, real estate matters, and general business formation and development for clients in California and beyond.
Representing businesses and entrepreneurs spanning an array of industries and business sectors, Mr. Lee is equally adept in the courtroom as he is in negotiation toward settlement and alternative and informal dispute resolution. With years of legal practice at large, highly-regarded international, national, and regional firms behind him, his experience spans breach of contract claims, business torts, insurance recovery work, real estate disputes, bankruptcy proceedings, software and technology licensing, construction and mechanic’s lien claims, unfair competition claims, and employment-related issues.
Mr. Lee co-founded Salisian | Lee with former colleague Neal Salisian on the premise that the surrounding legal market did not sufficiently cater to mid-sized or smaller and emerging businesses. Salisian | Lee LLP was formed to be a one-stop shop clients seeking well-trained, seasoned business attorneys but without the high cost and negligible care often provided by larger institutions. Since forming the firm in 2010, Mr. Lee has managed prominent cases in the areas of bankruptcy, fraud, misrepresentation, copyright infringement and breach of contract.
Representative clients run the gamut from real estate investment companies and brokers, multi-national automobile manufacturers, producers in the entertainment industry, and internet start-ups, including a company in a widely publicized battle over rights to a lucrative internet-based venture involving celebrity greetings.
Prior to forming Salisian | Lee, Mr. Lee practiced at Hunt Ortmann, a well-respected construction litigation firm, and served as counsel in Century City, where he refined his litigation skills tackling the murky legal waters in the wake of the commercial real estate meltdown.
Mr. Lee’s earlier years as an attorney were spent in downtown Los Angeles, first with the global law firm of Holland & Knight, and then with the distinguished firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, where he first worked with Mr. Salisian. At both firms, Mr. Lee was exposed to virtually every aspect of commercial litigation and myriad forms of business dealings across industries, disciplines, and national borders. His client roster included business entities from the Pacific Rim, airlines, national retailers, pharmaceutical giants, local commercial real estate firms, oil companies, regional casinos and gaming development firms, and any number of other Fortune 500 companies.
Long active in legal and professional organizations, Richard is a member of the Korean American Bar Association, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and City Club of Los Angeles. From 2003 to 2007, he served as an elected member of the Barristers Executive Committee for the Los Angeles County Bar Association. Richard also continues to be involved in the San Gabriel Valley Club of the Cal Alumni Association.
Mr. Lee obtained his J.D. from the University of Southern California Law School and his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley.
He is admitted to practice in California and before the United States District Court for the Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern Districts of California and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
- Obtained a favorable insurance recovery settlement of $2 million on behalf of a state entity in a strongly contested bad faith suit after managing and conducting all aspects of the case.
- Represented a national financial lending institution in its Anti-Cybersquatting claim against defendant. Case was handled in the United States District Court, Central District of California, and resulted in a satisfactory settlement for the client.
- Second-chaired a 7 week-long jury trial in the Orange County Superior Court on behalf of a Taiwanese corporation. Representing the plaintiff in the action, levied claims of embezzlement and fraud against seven defendants, including the corporation’s former officers. Representation resulted in a $4.4 million judgment for client and a complete defense verdict against over $11 million in cross-claims.
- Second-chaired a 3-day administrative evidentiary hearing in Sonoma County, California, on behalf of a Native American tribe seeking issuance of an alcoholic beverage license, with an multi-million dollar impact on the Tribe’s annual gaming revenues. Evidentiary hearing involved the introduction and examination of percipient testimony, expert testimony, and documentary evidence regarding both building code compliance and fire safety issues. Obtained a favorable and successful ruling from the administrative law judge as to both issues.
- First-chaired a 3-day bench trial in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on behalf of an individual plaintiff asserting a breach of contract claim involving the purchase and sale of a small business.
- Assisted with the 6-week jury trial defense in the Los Angeles County Superior Court of a payroll software company involved in a $6.5 million dollar suit alleging breach of contract, fraud, and interference with contract and prospective economic advantage. Successfully obtained summary adjudication on plaintiff’s interference claims and non-suit on fraud after plaintiff’s presentation at trial, eliminating possibility of millions of dollars in punitive damages.
- First-chaired a private arbitration hearing in Los Angeles on behalf of client tool manufacturer accused of breaching a 5-year supply contract. Won a complete defense victory for the client.
Los Angeles Magazine
Super Lawyers – Recognized as a “Super Lawyer” in Business Litigation in Southern California for 2014-Present.
Los Angeles Magazine
Super Lawyers – Recognized as a “Rising Star” in Business Litigation in Southern California for 2006, 2007, 2009-2013.
Daily Journal
August 24, 2023 – “Whether in the ring or the courtroom, no one knows if X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook will exchange blows” – co-authored article on legal struggles between Twitter/X and Facebook/Meta.
Law 360
May 22, 2022 – “Why Juries Love to Start the Weekend With A Verdict” – quoted in article about Friday afternoon jury verdicts.
Forbes
June, 23, 2020 – “My Company’s First Breakup: The Importance of Having An NDA” – quoted in article about how crucial NDAs can be for a fledgling business.
KTLA
January 3, 2019 – “Quirky New Laws for California” – guest on morning show to discuss unusual new laws for the new year.
Daily Journal
December 20, 2018 – “A New Year Means New Avant Garde and Off Beat Laws for California ” – co-authored by Richard Lee and Glenn Coffman.
Associated Press
January 31, 2018 – “No Penalty: Small Businesses Let Sports Fan Enjoy Big Games” – quoted in article about small business management and extra-curricular activities.
KTLA
January 2, 2018 – “Quirky New Laws for California” – guest on morning show to discuss unusual new laws for the new year.
Daily Journal
December 9, 2016 – “The Lighter Side of California Laws” – co-authored by Richard Lee and H. Han Pai.
88.9 FM KUCI Orange County Public Radio
September 26, 2016 – Privacy Piracy Radio Show on topic of Augmented Reality’s Impact on Business – co-guests with Associate Yujin Chun.
Daily Journal
August 24, 2016 – “Pokemon Go To The Courts” – co-authored by Richard Lee and Yujin Chun.
KTLA Morning News
July 10, 2015 – “Fighting Back Against Revenge Porn” – interviewed about new private right of action for revenge porn in CA. Full interview available here.
Daily Journal
June 22, 2015 – “Revenge Porn Purveyors Soon Face New Consequences” – co-authored by Richard Lee and Jay Lichter.
Law 360
August 15, 2014 – “Ad Firm Says Fraud Suit Over TV Special Must Be Arbitrated” – quoted on his case within article.
Law 360
July 10, 2014 – “Emerging Market RE Plays Increasingly Require Balancing Act” – quoted within article.
Pasadena Magazine, Pasadena, CA
Top Attorneys – Recognized as a Top Attorney in Business Law/Litigation in the San Gabriel Valley for 2012 & 2013.
Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, Los Angeles, CA
January 2014 – “The Star System: Under New California Regulations, Owners of Commercial Buildings May Be Obligated to Disclose Energy Use Data via the EPA’s Energy Star Program,” co-authored by Richard Lee and Jay Lichter
Law 360
October 4, 2013 – “A-Rod Seeks to Draw MLB Into Damaging Open-Court Brawl” – quoted within article.
The Recorder
August 23, 2013 – “In Practice: The State of Privacy” – co-authored article with Associate Newton Tak.
Detroit Free Press
July 1, 2013 – “Experts: If Detroit Files For Bankruptcy, Case Likely to Stay Local” – quoted within article.
The Daily Journal
June 19, 2013 – “Suit Could Clarify Relationship Between Production, Brand Integration Companies” – quoted within article.
U.S. News & World Report
May 7, 2013 – “So You Cosigned a Loan, They Defaulted. What Now?” – quoted within news article.
ExecSense Webinar, San Rafael, CA
May 13, 2010 – “What Construction Lawyers need to Know About the International Green Construction Code (IGCC),” ExecSense construction law webinar panel speaker.
ExecSense Webinar, San Rafael, CA
April 2, 2010 – “The Instant Impact of Fortney & Weygandt, Inc. v. Am. Mfrs. Mut. Ins. Co., (6th Cir. Feb. 12, 2010), on Construction Lawyers and the Scope of Defective-Workmanship Exclusions in General Contractor CGL Policies,” ExecSense insurance law webinar panel speaker.
Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, Los Angeles, CA
December 2004 – “Appointing a Discovery Referee in California State Court,” Barristers Tips section of Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine.