Biography
Justin V. Lee represents a wide range of national and international clients, including airlines, manufacturers, fixed-base operators, real estate firms, insurance companies, financial services institutions, music industry entities, and technology infrastructure firms. He has experience handling a variety of litigation matters including partnership disputes, breach of contract claims, violations of federal and state regulations, product liability claims, and personal injury and wrongful death claims.
Prior to joining Jackson Walker, Justin worked on the staff for a member of the United States Congress and served as a helicopter pilot in the United States Army, logging more than 1,500 flight hours and over 600 hours of combat time. He deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to Pakistan for humanitarian relief operations, and was an instructor pilot in the Boeing CH-47 “Chinook” helicopter.
Education
B.S., Texas A&M University
J.D., cum laude, SMU Dedman School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
Texas County and District Courts
Representative Matters
- First-chaired a jury trial involving a dispute between members of a limited liability company. Obtained a directed verdict at the conclusion of evidence, dismissing two of the four defendants and dismissing claims for conversion, fraud, theft of services, and declaratory relief against the remaining defendants. Successfully argued post-verdict motion for reduction of attorneys’ fees award.
- Successfully represented a limited partner in a jury trial involving claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.
- Successfully represented a roofing supply manufacturer in a jury trial involving claims for breach of contract.
- Defended a commercial real estate company in a bench trial involving claims for declaratory relief under the Texas Declaratory Judgments Act.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a major air carrier on a personal injury claim.
- Obtained dismissal of a foreign manufacturer from a product liability lawsuit involving an offshore helicopter crash.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a roofing materials manufacturer on claims for fraud and violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
- Obtained dismissal of an out-of-state aircraft fuel provider from a personal injury lawsuit involving an airplane crash in Central Texas.
- Obtained judgment for damages on behalf of a Part 135 charter flight company for nonpayment of services.
- Represented a Part 142 flight training center in an agency appeal before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Successfully represented a worldwide manufacturer of helicopter engines in three wrongful death lawsuits. The Court of Appeals of North Carolina dismissed the client from the case for lack of personal jurisdiction.
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (Woodward/White Inc.), 2022-2024
- Commercial Litigation, 2022-2024
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, 2024
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2022-2023
- Recognized at The Gathering for service as a pilot and commander of an Army Chinook unit in Afghanistan, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), 2018
- Author, “An Enduring Legacy of Service,” The Texas Lawbook (2022)
- Author, “Recent Developments in Aviation Law,” 83 Journal of Air Law and Commerce 193 (2018)
- Speaker, “Recent Developments in Aviation Law,” 52nd Annual SMU Air Law Symposium, Irving, Texas (April 5, 2018)
- Speaker, “Plot Your Course: How to Avoid Pre-Suit Issues,” ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Aviation and Space Law Conference, Washington, D.C. (October 25, 2019)
- Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office Training Advisory Board (2023-present)
- Rockwall Economic Development Corporation, Board of Directors (2021-present)
- Rockwall & Heath Lacrosse, Inc., Board of Directors (2018-2021, 2022-present)
- President (2020-2021)
- Vice President (2023-present)
- J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall, Board of Management (2017-2023)
- Chairman (2022-2023)
October 18, 2023
Client ResultsJennifer Caughey and Bob Latham Secure Appellate Win in Architectural Copyright Case
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied rehearing en banc in Loeb v. Mako, L.L.C. d/b/a Padua Realty Company, setting critical precedent as to licensing, contracts, and copyright law. This victory for Jackson Walker clients not only addressed important legal principles, but it also ended a long journey defending against claims seeking billions of dollars in a relatively new area of copyright litigation.
August 17, 2023
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
March 23, 2023
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 2023 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 63 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2023 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list, which recognizes only 5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less.
March 2, 2023
Client ResultsFifth Circuit Rules in Favor of Client Flight Training International
In a major win for the Jackson Walker Appellate and Aviation teams, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously in favor of Jackson Walker client Flight Training International (FTI) regarding an FAA order concerning pilot certification requirements.
November 11, 2022
SpotlightJustin Lee, An Enduring Legacy of Service
In honor of Veterans Day, Justin V. Lee shared his story as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot in Pakistan and Afghanistan and his continued commitment to service.
September 13, 2022
Client ResultsBrad Brown Obtains Dismissal of Safran Helicopter Engines for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction
The Court of Appeals of North Carolina on September 6, 2022, ruled in favor of Jackson Walker client Safran Helicopter Engines in an appeal over whether the trial court could assert personal jurisdiction over the company.
August 18, 2022
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
March 22, 2022
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 2022 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 51 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2022 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list, which recognizes only 2.5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less.
June 10, 2021
MentionsJackson Walker Client Asks Texas Supreme Court to Grant Request for In-Person Jury Trial in Personal Injury Suit
In a petition for writ of mandamus filed on June 8, 2021, Allied Aviation Fueling Company of Houston Inc. requested the Texas Supreme Court order an in-person jury trial after Harris County District Judge Dedra Davis set the case for a remote jury trial over Zoom for June 9. The Texas Supreme Court granted Allied Aviation’s motion for stay of the remote trial while the petition for writ of mandamus is under consideration.
March 23, 2020
InsightsCOVID-19 Leads to Delays in Texas Elections
Governor Abbott issued a proclamation suspending provisions of the Texas Election Code and the Texas Water Code to allow political subdivisions to postpone their 2020 local elections that are currently scheduled from May 2 through November 3.