Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School has announced that alumnus Antonio C. Lee, a graduate of the class of 2014, has been appointed President of the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA). The CCBA, established in 1914, is recognized as one of the oldest associations for African American lawyers and judges in the United States.
Antonio C. Lee currently serves as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana. His legal career includes roles such as an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, where he handled torts and civil rights cases.
Mr. Lee's experience also includes participation in the U.S. Presidential Management Fellows program. During his fellowship, he worked as an Attorney Advisor to a former Commissioner and Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and was involved with national employment discrimination issues. He has also worked with both the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Justice – Community Relations Service.
In addition to his prosecutorial work, Mr. Lee holds several leadership positions within legal organizations. These include being a Commissioner on the American Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Commission, Chief-of-Staff to the National Bar Association’s (NBA) President, Chair of the NBA’s LGBTQ Division, and serving on various bar association committees including those aimed at eliminating bullying in the legal profession.
Mr. Lee is licensed to practice law in Georgia, Illinois, and Washington D.C., having completed his undergraduate studies at Ball State University before graduating cum laude from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.
His accomplishments have earned him multiple awards such as the NBA's “40 Under 40: Nation’s Best Advocate” Award and recognition from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School with their Distinguished Alumni Award in March 2024.
Reflecting on his education at AJMLS, Mr. Lee stated: "Throughout my studies at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, I learned valuable skills that challenged my legal reasoning and advanced my career."
The appointment underscores Mr. Lee's professional achievements and commitment to equity within the legal sector, which is celebrated by Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School community.