Joseph Lee

At Chang and Lee in Pasadena, California, Joseph Lee dedicates his practice to estate planning, trusts, wills, estate law, probate, family law, employment law, conservatorship/guardianship and corporate law. His journey through various legal landscapes, including a significant stint at a large insurance defense firm and a role as in-house counsel for major nonprofits, gave him a wealth of experience. However, his true passion emerged when his son was diagnosed with autism.Understanding the unique legal challenges that special needs families encounter, Mr. Lee reimagined his practice through the lens of their specific needs. He asked himself, "What would a family like mine require from legal services?" This question illuminated a clear path for expanding his practice. Many parents face the daunting task of reshaping their lives upon learning their child has special needs, and he has been fortunate enough to turn his practice into a "family business" dedicated to aiding these families.Mr. Lee's multifaceted life journey includes roles as an attorney, minister and schoolteacher. Today, he blends these experiences to support families with special needs children. Drawing on his background as a former school administrator, he adeptly navigates educational systems. His legal acumen empowers him to advocate for children requiring assistance, and his ministerial training allows him to empathize deeply with families in distress. Ultimately, he is committed to serving families needing compassionate legal guidance.Families seeking a knowledgeable attorney to help them navigate the complex legal and emotional terrain of setting up Special Needs Trusts, administering Special Needs Trusts and navigating government benefits can rely on Mr. Lee's proficiency. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston College (1996), a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law (1999), an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary and a DMin from Fuller Theological Seminary.Admitted to practice in New Jersey (1999), the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (1999), New York (2000), California (2011) and the U.S. District Courts for the Central and Eastern Districts of California, Mr. Lee remains an active and respected member of various professional organizations. His "Superb" rating on Avvo and fluency in Korean further underscore his commitment to excellence and accessibility in serving his community.