October 21, 2020
Banking & Finance partner Justin D. Lee has been profiled in New York Law Journal as a Rising Star for 2020, an award given to 27 of the region’s most promising lawyers under 40.
The publication originally named Mr. Lee among the Rising Stars in June, and has now published the profile in recognition of the honor. The article highlighted Mr. Lee’s expertise advising institutional lenders, loan funds, asset managers and corporate borrowers on all types of bank financing transactions. His recent accomplishments include advising Goldman Sachs in $2.2 billion committed financing to support the $4.2 billion acquisition of Duff & Phelps by an investor consortium led by Stone Point Capital and Further Global; Morgan Stanley in providing $1.1 billion credit facilities for OUTFRONT Media; and Doncasters Group in the cross-border restructuring of its £1.22 billion in funded debt through an English scheme of arrangement.
The award reflects not only Mr. Lee’s transactional expertise but also his leadership in the legal community and his commitment to pro bono service. The article noted Mr. Lee’s pro bono counsel to clients on not-for-profit corporation law, general corporate governance, and financing arrangements. It also highlighted his active involvement in LGBTQ+ programs OutNEXT and Out in Law, and his support for The Ali Forney Center, the largest agency dedicated to LGBTQ+ homeless youths in the country.
Mr. Lee has been a longtime leader of Weil’s Diversity & Inclusion program and is closely involved in its recruitment initiatives. In addition, Mr. Lee was instrumental in the recent launch of Weil’s comprehensive and inclusive family-building benefits program.
He is also dedicated to mentoring up-and-coming attorneys, having experienced firsthand when he was an associate just how committed Weil partners are to developing the next generation of talent. The profile included his advice to younger lawyers.
“Never underestimate the importance of good mentors and take an active role in creating and maintaining those relationships,” Mr. Lee said “Mentoring is a two-way street so don’t sit back and wait for it to happen; your job as a mentee is to help make it seamless and equally beneficial for your mentor while availing yourself of your mentor’s knowledge and guidance.”
Mr. Lee was also recently named one of Law360’s Rising Stars for Banking in 2020. The award recognized his record of success advising top financial institutions on sophisticated financing transactions.