David M. Lee

Prior Experience

David’s background spans litigation, appellate work, regulatory advice and transactional projects. As a summer associate with the firm for two years, he drafted advisory memos on corporate, employment and regulatory topics, assisted with due diligence for multistate acquisitions, and supported research for health care, government contracting and pro bono projects.

At the University of Minnesota’s Civil Rights Appellate Clinic, David worked as a certified student attorney, where he drafted a brief for the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and helped shape strategy for an amicus brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. As a judicial extern for Judge Jerry Blackwell in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, he drafted orders in civil and criminal cases and observed a variety of federal proceedings.

As a summer clerk with Cargill, a multinational food corporation, David prepared regulatory and strategic advisories on emerging generative-AI regulations, eminent-domain risks, carbon-sequestration infrastructure and workplace-policy compliance. Additional legal experience includes researching smart-contract legal issues for Professor Edward Adams and participating in an AI-assisted lawyering study with Professor Amy Monahan, both at the University of Minnesota Law School.

Before entering the legal profession, David founded two companies — one focused on mushroom-production technology for restaurants and home cooks, and another operating a hemp farm developing carbon-sequestration construction materials and cannabinoid therapeutics. He also held roles in HR and organizational development at General Mills and conducted scientific research at the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Florida.

Personal Interests

Outside of the office, David has wide-ranging interests that blend creativity, innovation and sustainability, including entrepreneurship, regenerative agriculture, mycology, hydroponics, soil health, woodworking, 3D printing, microelectronics and energy. An avid traveler and lifelong learner, he also enjoys tennis, gardening, chicken-keeping and practicing conversational Spanish.