Honorable Grace E. Lee has dedicated her career to serving the public for the past decade. Judge Lee currently serves as an Administrative Law Judge for New York State where she adjudicates proceedings involving federal, state and local public benefits and safeguards due process and justice for litigants in her courtroom.
Prior to her judicial appointment, Judge Lee facilitated the development of laws and policies supporting the welfare of children and families in New York State as an attorney in the Division of Legal Affairs at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Judge Lee also previously served as a Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs at the New York State Governor’s Office, identifying a broad array of pertinent legal and legislative issues impacting communities. Judge Lee was bestowed the prestigious honor of being appointed as a Special Master in 2022, serving the New York State Supreme Court and assisting in the essential needs of the court.
Judge Lee is passionately involved in supporting the mission of diversity and professionalism in legal education. Judge Lee teaches at various law schools, including Fordham Law School, as an Adjunct Professor of Law, developing innovative and experiential curricula focusing on the practical application of the law, advocacy skills and perspective of a judge. Judge Lee is a sought after speaker on diversity and social justice issues, including access to justice and diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession at various law schools and legal institutions.
Judge Lee proudly serves her community through her service and involvement in various organizations, including as a National Advisory Council Member for Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), a national civil rights organization dedicated to advancing equal rights and promoting racial justice and equity for underrepresented communities. Judge Lee also actively serves on the Board of Directors of the Fordham Law Alumni Association and has previously served on the New York State Bar Association's President's Committee on Access to Justice. In addition, she has co-authored a published article for the Practising Law Institute on the importance of diversity in the legal profession, Mentoring Circles for the 2020s: Combatting Diverse Attorneys’ Professional Isolation – A Case Study. Judge Lee is the Honorary Recipient of the 2024 Honorable Denny Chin Alumni Award for Excellence in the Legal Profession.