Justin Lee, An Enduring Legacy of Service

November 11, 2022 | Spotlight



Justin Lee cockpitFive years prior to joining Jackson Walker as a Dallas litigation attorney, Justin V. Lee served as a CH-47 “Chinook” helicopter pilot in Afghanistan supporting some of the most battle-tested fighters in the military. Justin’s unit called itself “Extortion Company,” and pilots like Justin flew challenging missions at high altitudes over hostile environments and rough terrain, almost always at night. On August 6, 2011, one of the helicopters in his company was shot down in the deadliest loss of U.S. forces during the Afghanistan War. All aboard—including 15 members of the Navy’s SEAL Team 6–were killed in the crash. Justin still wears a bracelet with the names of the five crew members to honor their memory.

Justin remained in Afghanistan flying combat missions for eight months before returning home in spring 2012, completing his Army service, and graduating from SMU Law with honors.

In honor of Veterans Day, Justin shared his story and his continued commitment to service in an article contributed to The Texas Lawbook.

“Most of all, I’m thankful for those we lost who, to quote Abraham Lincoln, ‘gave the last full measure of devotion’ in service to our nation. They deserve to be remembered, and we all owe a duty to live lives worthy of their sacrifice. Never forgotten.”

To read more, see “An Enduring Legacy of Service” at The Texas Lawbook.

Justin LeeMeet Justin

Justin V. Lee represents a wide range of clients, including airlines and manufacturers, in partnership disputes, breach of contract claims, violations of federal and state regulations, product liability claims, and personal injury and wrongful death claims. Prior to Jackson Walker, Justin worked on the staff for a member of the United States Congress and served as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He has been recognized among Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch since 2021 and as a Texas Rising Star by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers in 2022.

In 2018, Justin was honored by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) at its fundraiser gala dinner, The Gathering, in July 2018. The fundraiser dinner included a video the EAA produced to acknowledge Justin’s service as a pilot and commander of an Army Chinook unit in Afghanistan. The video was inspired by an article in The Dallas Morning News.

To explore more of Justin’s story, view “With Gratitude to our Military Service Members on Veterans Day and Throughout the Year.”


In This Story

Justin V. Lee
Partner, Dallas

Tags