Joann Lee Email & Phone Number

Houston, Texas, United States

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄In 2018, I was appointed Associate General Counsel of ExxonMobil’s (NYSE:XOM) worldwide legal operation. As Associate General Counsel and Senior Member of the Law Leadership Team, I guided our 750+-member legal team (400+ attorneys) to thrive in ever-evolving political, legal, and regulatory environments. Key initiatives focused on organizational effectiveness and programs that improved diversity, equity, and inclusion.𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀• 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟬 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 & 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿. Partnered with leaders across the organization to identify and mitigate legal risk.• 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Reorganized, restructured, and reinvigorated ExxonMobil’s legal operation globally; redefined personnel assignments, realigned practice groups, and strengthened talent development program, which played a vital role in unifying team and accelerating efficiency.• 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗗&𝗜 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻. Designed and implemented the Outside Counsel Diversity Initiative, that provided a comprehensive framework and established accountability for retaining women and minority counsel worldwide.𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀, 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀• Lifetime Achievement Award in Energy Litigation, Center for American and Int’l Law• Most Influential Women in Corporate America, Savoy Magazine• Most Influential Black Lawyers, Savoy Magazine

Houston, Texas, United States

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄I was tapped to lead and set the strategic direction for ExxonMobil’s global litigation organization. As AGC, I recruited, coordinated, and supervised a global litigation team, which represented ExxonMobil in thousands of matters, from the Permian Basin to Nigeria and beyond. My work included providing global and actionable insight on critical, often unprecedented challenges, spanning jurisdictions, legal disciplines, and organizational units.𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀• 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺. Partnered with GC, Chairman, and other Legal and Business leaders across ExxonMobil to chart its global legal blueprint, from fine-tuning risk infrastructure to actively engaging in high-stakes matters and averting multi-billion-dollar exposure. • 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽. Steered global litigation team on matters including antitrust, commercial, environmental, international, labor and employment, and tort claims.• 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Implemented data-driven, centralized billing platform that informed rate negotiations and minimized outside counsel spend.

Houston, Texas, United States

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄In 2008, I stepped into the role of Exxon Mobil Chemical Company’s Chief Attorney, Commercial Group. I worked with my legal team to develop the strategy to navigate the global financial crisis, while achieving ExxonMobil’s three-fold goal of providing energy to meet the world’s growing needs, protecting our environment, and maximizing shareholder wealth. I built enduring relationships across the Commercial Group and business, rolled out solutions to critical issues, and was recognized as a business partner.𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀• 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟬 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Worked extensively with the commercial legal team and business leadership to maintain a finger on the pulse of volatile industry dynamics, assess risk horizon, and shape strategy amidst the global financial crisis.• 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. Worked closely with litigators to orchestrate each touchpoint of the litigation lifecycle for a diverse caseload.

Houston, Texas, United States

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄ExxonMobil challenged me to architect a strategic, mission-aligned, organizational roadmap combining two independent teams. My efforts laid the foundation for a high-performing team that successfully advised business clients and defended ExxonMobil in a wide range of threatened and ongoing proceedings, including administrative, federal and state matters. I also remained abreast of regulatory developments impacting our operation, and worked closely with the business, legal and HR teams to improve ExxonMobil’s labor and employment policies, processes and outcomes.𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀• 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Unified siloed litigation and functional units; improved mission alignment and engagement, while reducing legal exposure.• 𝗛𝗥 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿. Counseled and delivered training to HR leadership on the legal implications of day-to-day labor and employment activities; provided guidance on federal (ADA, FLSA, FMLA), state, and local investigations.

Houston, Texas, United States

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄I helps to develop and execute the legal strategy for trial teams of up to five attorneys. As Litigation Coordinator, I managed the litigation lifecycle for dozens of matters, from pre-trial strategy through resolution. I served as a key advisor to legal leadership and junior attorneys, and, within 2 years, I was promoted to Chief Attorney, Labor, Employment, and Special Services.

Houston, Texas, United States

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄I began my career at ExxonMobil career as a Trial Attorney and Litigator. In this role, I successfully represented the company in dozens of complex disputes in state and federal court. I also partnered with and oversaw outside counsel in defending ExxonMobil across dockets nationwide. My work was principally focused on matters arising from ExxonMobil’s domestic operation. Within three years of being hired, I was recognized with a promotion to Litigation Coordinator – Tort, Employment, and Commercial.

Houston, Texas, United States

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄During nearly a decade with Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP), I represented the organization in 100+ matters across administrative, state, and federal court, including serving as a first chair in 10+ high exposure trials. I was also an executive thought partner who led case reviews of significant litigation (Toxic tort, FELA, Crossing and Employment matters) that informed standard operating procedures and best practices.

Houston, Texas, United States

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄As a newly minted law graduate, I quickly ascended from a misdemeanor-level attorney to a felony prosecutor and ultimately, Chief Prosecutor, State District Court, later working in the Special Crimes Bureau, Major Fraud Division. Over the course of my tenure with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, I served as Lead Counsel in 100+ jury trials and oversaw the prosecution of 500+ matters. I tried, among other cases, white collar crimes, drug trafficking, and capital offenses.

Juris Doctor (Jd), Law

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Political Science