Rachel Lee, Esq.
Stand with Asian Americans (SwAA) https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-lee-a8703b99/
About The Lecturer
Rachel Lee is the President & General Counsel of Stand with Asian Americans (SwAA), the nation’s first legal civil rights non-profit organization dedicated to combating workplace discrimination for Asian American communities. She provides strategic leadership to advancing SwAA’s mission through legal advocacy, education, and mental health programs, and oversees the organization's governance and compliance.
Prior to joining SwAA, Rachel was an attorney at an international law firm, A&O Shearman, where she advised international clients on matters relating to labor and employment laws and executive compensation and benefits, with a special focus on consulting and training for workplace inclusivity and regulatory compliance with the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act. At A&O Shearman, Rachel also represented numerous pro bono clients on cases before immigration and family courts in New York, through which she successfully obtained legal status and employment eligibility for her clients. She was a leading member of the firm’s Asian Affinity Alliance, Women's Committee, and Associates Committee and an active member of the firm's inclusion networks, such as the Black, Latine, and LGBTQ+ affinity groups, and the global Alumni Advisory Board. Under her leadership, Allen & Overy LLP received diversity awards from bar associations, such as the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY). Rachel has received multiple awards for her leadership in and contribution to the firm's inclusivity, pro bono, and recruitment efforts.
Rachel is a community builder outside of her work and is frequently invited to speak on diversity, equity, and inclusion matters. She regularly advocates for community issues, including racial and gender equality, immigration, voter protection, civic engagement, affordable housing, healthcare, and social services in New York. She is also a mentor to students of underrepresented backgrounds and provides pre-law and career counseling independently and through institutional pipeline initiatives. Rachel holds a B.S. from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
Practice Area(s)
Civil Rights
Labor & Employment
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Public Interest
Education
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center
B.S., Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service
