Denise Lee is a seasoned attorney with over 35 years of experience in criminal defense, dedicated to upholding justice. Based in the Bay Area, she has spent the majority of her distinguished legal career as a Deputy Public Defender with the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office and more recently with the San Mateo County Private Defender Program.
Denise has built a strong reputation for her strategic courtroom presence, sharp legal insight and unwavering commitment to client advocacy. She has handled a wide range of cases, from arraignments and probation violations to complex felony trials, demonstrating skill in legal research, negotiation, trial preparation and motion writing. Throughout her career, she has mentored junior attorneys and maintained strong relationships within the legal community, enhancing collaboration and case outcomes.
In addition to her legal work, Denise is a dedicated volunteer and patient advocate. Because of the Lung Association’s “Saved by the Scan” campaign, Denise got screened and was diagnosed with lung cancer at an early stage, when it was treatable. Now a 7-year lung cancer survivor, she serves on the American Lung Association's Lung Cancer Patient Advisory Group and has lent her voice to various healthcare initiatives, including work with Imerman Angels, Go2 Foundation and Moffitt Cancer Center’s Justice Study. She has also contributed as a patient editor for a health disparities manuscript supported by AstraZeneca and serves on a PCORI advisory board.
Denise holds a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Howard University. She is a member of the California Public Defender’s Association, Beta Pi Sigma Sorority and the Howard University Alumni Association.
