Overview
Lee Stapleton is a trial lawyer recognized nationally for her achievements in complex commercial litigation and white collar criminal defense.
Lee has a long record of handling complex matters for clients ranging from individuals to Fortune 500 companies throughout the United States, Latin America, and Europe. She is regularly retained as litigation counsel for clients in a variety of industries. Her domestic and international practice includes business disputes as well as a wide variety of white collar matters.
Prior to going into private practice, Lee had a storied 16-year career as a federal prosecutor. As chief assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, she helped manage the busiest U.S. attorney’s office in the country. For two years, Lee worked in Washington running a major program at the Department of Justice. She then returned to Miami to serve as senior litigation counsel in the Economic Crimes section of the U.S. attorney’s office.
Lee served as the 2015 president and chair of the Orange Bowl Committee, which hosts the premier college football playoff game. Lee joined the committee in 2002. As the organization’s 77th president, she oversaw the national College Football Playoff semifinal game in the first year of the current post-season system. Lee also spearheaded a girls golf program through the committee.
Before law school, Lee worked as a journalist, a skill she puts to use today as editor in chief of the American Bar Association’s Litigation Journal. She frequently writes published articles and writes a weekly blog about college football. Lee also appeared for many years as an on-air weekly legal analyst for WPLG Channel 10 News, Miami’s ABC affiliate.
Areas of Focus
Practices
Insights
News
Recognition
- Top Lawyers, South Florida Legal Guide
- Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine (2021)
- The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2013–2024)
- Florida Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2006–2008, 2011–2023)
- Top 100 Miami Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2015–2016, 2018, 2020–2022)
- Top 100 Florida Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2015–2016)
- Top 50 Women Florida Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2015–2016, 2018)
- Top 20 South Florida Women in Law, Daily Business Review (2015)
Professional & Community Involvement
- American Bar Association
- Section of Litigation
- Editor in Chief, Litigation Journal
- Section of Litigation
- University of Florida Law Center Association
- Board of Trustees (2019–present)
- University of Miami School of Law
- Lecturer, Litigation Skills
- WPLG Channel 10 News, ABC’s Miami Affiliate
- On-Air Weekly Legal Analyst (2004–2013)
- Orange Bowl Committee (2002–present)
- President (2015)
- Baptist Health
- Board of Directors, Baptist Outpatient Services, Baptist Health South Florida
- Board of Directors, Baptist Health Enterprises
- Board of Directors, South Miami Hospital Medical Arts Surgery Center
- Baptist Health Foundation Giving Society
- Clemson Athletic Properties (CAPCO)
- Board of Directors
- United Way Tocqueville Society
Credentials
Education
- University of Florida (M.A.)
- University of Florida College of Law, (J.D., with honors)
- University of Florida (B.A.)
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
Background
Lee Stapleton had a distinguished career at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, where she served as chief assistant U.S. attorney. From 1987 to 1989, Lee served at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., where she was the director of a $400 million program that coordinated the efforts of federal and state law enforcement. She was then appointed to senior litigation counsel in the Economic Crimes section in Miami, where she focused on health care fraud.