Catherine E. Lee

Catherine is a partner in the firm’s Raleigh office, where she focuses her practice on administrative law and employment law. She believes in building strong working relationships with her clients, and taking time to truly understand their business and concerns. Her years of legal experience enable her to cut through complexity and provide clear, actionable advice. She particularly enjoys exploring the “why” behind her clients’ questions, helping them think ahead about potential outcomes and make informed decisions about their next steps.  

Catherine has significant experience in resolving human resources matters, including: 

• Defending discrimination, wrongful discharge, retaliation, and harassment claims; 
• Drafting and reviewing employment agreements, severance agreements, and non-compete/non-solicitation agreements; 
• Litigating covenants not to compete disputes, breach of contract claims, and wage and hour disputes; 
• Advising management in the development of appropriate workplace policies and practices; and 
• Providing training to Human Resources professionals and managers on employment law. 

Catherine also serves as general counsel to professional licensing boards across various industries in North Carolina, and advises boards on a variety of legal issues, including the N.C. Public Records laws, statutory reporting and auditing requirements, personnel matters, State Open Meetings laws, State ethics laws, rulemaking matters, and legislative liaising. She routinely appears before Boards and the NC Office of Administrative Hearings to prosecute disciplinary matters. 

Through extensive volunteer work, Catherine engages with people from diverse backgrounds, which broadens her perspective and enhances her ability to understand clients’ varied needs. 

Catherine is passionate about international travel and studying foreign languages, having visited over a dozen countries. Her free time is typically divided between scout camping trips and PTA meetings, while she brings order to chaos in a happy and loud household.