As a Fortune 10 Senior Executive and Business Partner, Iโve averted multi-billion-dollar risk exposure, promoted paradigm-shifting diversity and inclusion initiatives, and increased organizational effectiveness across some of the most complex ecosystems worldwide. I have devoted my career to transforming challengesโinternal and external, economic and legal, domestic and internationalโinto sources of positive momentum. Most recently, as an Associate General Counsel and Senior Member of ExxonMobilโs (NYSE:XOM) Law Leadership Team, I was one of the pilots of a global legal organization that represented the company in thousands of matters spanning six continents. Other Key Achievements:โข ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ข๐ป๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ป๐ณ๐น๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐ช๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ and Most Influential Black Lawyers by Savoy Magazine; recognized for body of work by the Center for American and International Law with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Energy Litigation.โข ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ด๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฏ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ for transformative efforts championing D&I. Envisioned and implemented ExxonMobilโs Outside Counsel Diversity Initiative, which provided a formal structure and accountability to retain female and minority outside counsel.โข ๐ญ๐ฌ+-๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ฟ๐, ๐ฐ๐ฌ๐ฌ+-๐๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ป๐ฒ๐, ๐๐น๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น ๐ข๐ฟ๐ด๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป. Steered reorganization and optimization of ExxonMobilโs global legal practice; redefined positions, realigned practice groups, and reinvigorated talent development program, which fueled organizational excellence and efficiency.๐ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ปI am deeply invested in the organizations I lead and their stakeholdersโa commitment that has paved the way for a tangible legacy of value creation. At this stage of my career, Iโm excited to build on this legacy and make even greater contributions: to collapse barriers to inclusion, navigate the complexities of a post-pandemic world, and set the stage for enduring commercial growth today and tomorrow.๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐โข Global Strategic Leadershipโข Corporate Governance & Organizational Excellenceโข Cross-Border Risk & Compliance Managementโข Diversity & Inclusion Program Developmentโข Talent Engagement & Mentorship โข Strategic Partnerships & AlliancesJoAnn Leeโ๏ธ joann[at]joannlee.net
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Associate General Counsel | Senior Member, Exxonmobil Law Leadership Team | D&I ChampionExxonmobil 2018 - 2020Houston, Texas, United States๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐In 2018, I was appointed Associate General Counsel of ExxonMobilโs (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.๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐โข ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐๐ป๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐น ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ & ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ. Partnered with leaders across the organization to identify and mitigate legal risk.โข ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐น๐ฑ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฟ๐ด๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป & ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ. Reorganized, restructured, and reinvigorated ExxonMobilโs 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.โข ๐๐น๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น ๐&๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป. Designed and implemented the Outside Counsel Diversity Initiative, that provided a comprehensive framework and established accountability for retaining women and minority counsel worldwide.๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐, ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐โข Lifetime Achievement Award in Energy Litigation, Center for American and Intโl Lawโข Most Influential Women in Corporate America, Savoy Magazineโข Most Influential Black Lawyers, Savoy Magazine -
Assistant General Counsel, Global Litigation | Law Leadership Team | Fortune 10 Business PartnerExxonmobil 2009 - 2018Houston, Texas, United States๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐I was tapped to lead and set the strategic direction for ExxonMobilโs 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.๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐โข ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ, ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ง๐ฒ๐ฎ๐บ. 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. โข ๐๐น๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ. Steered global litigation team on matters including antitrust, commercial, environmental, international, labor and employment, and tort claims.โข ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ถ๐น๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป. Implemented data-driven, centralized billing platform that informed rate negotiations and minimized outside counsel spend.
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Chief Attorney, Exxon Mobil Chemical Company Commercial Group | Corporate Business PartnerExxonmobil 2008 - 2009Houston, Texas, United States๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐In 2008, I stepped into the role of Exxon Mobil Chemical Companyโs Chief Attorney, Commercial Group. I worked with my legal team to develop the strategy to navigate the global financial crisis, while achieving ExxonMobilโs three-fold goal of providing energy to meet the worldโs 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.๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐โข ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐๐ป๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐๐ธ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป. 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.โข ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐. Worked closely with litigators to orchestrate each touchpoint of the litigation lifecycle for a diverse caseload.
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Chief Attorney, Labor, Employment, And Special Services GroupExxonmobil 2004 - 2008Houston, Texas, United States๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ExxonMobil 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 ExxonMobilโs labor and employment policies, processes and outcomes.๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐โข ๐ข๐ฟ๐ด๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ. Unified siloed litigation and functional units; improved mission alignment and engagement, while reducing legal exposure.โข ๐๐ฅ ๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ. 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.
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Litigation Coordinator, Tort, Employment, And Commercial GroupsExxonmobil 2002 - 2004Houston, Texas, United States๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐I 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.
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Trial Attorney And LitigatorExxonmobil 1999 - 2002Houston, Texas, United States๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐I 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 ExxonMobilโs domestic operation. Within three years of being hired, I was recognized with a promotion to Litigation Coordinator โ Tort, Employment, and Commercial.
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Trial CounselUnion Pacific Railroad 1990 - 1999Houston, Texas, United States๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐During 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. -
Assistant District Attorney | Chief Prosecutor, State District CourtHarris Co. District Attorney'S Office 1983 - 1990Houston, Texas, United States๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐As 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 Attorneyโs 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.
Joann Lee Education Details
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Political Science
Frequently Asked Questions about Joann Lee
What is Joann Lee's role at the current company?
Joann Lee's current role is Fortune 10 Senior Executive | One of the Most Influential Women in Corporate America, ๐๐ข๐ท๐ฐ๐บ ๐๐ข๐จ๐ข๐ป๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ | Global Strategist & Business Partner | Cross-Border Legal Expert & Risk Navigator | D&I Champion.
What schools did Joann Lee attend?
Joann Lee attended The University Of Texas School Of Law, The University Of Texas At Arlington.
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