Catherine C. Lee - Principal

The experience Cathy has gained while working on both sides of the corporate law fence, working in-house as well as for some of the largest law firms in the country, enables her to mesh seamlessly with your existing organization and to provide valuable services with minimum ramp-up time.

In one of her most recent posts, Cathy served as the Corporate Secretary and Counsel for Sempra Energy (SRE)— a San Diego based Fortune 500 energy services holding company—advising senior management on corporate governance and other issues.

In addition, Cathy reviewed, revised and monitored the company's corporate governance guidelines and committee charters for compliance with various SEC rules and regulations. She prepared agendas for all meetings of the board of directors and the corporate governance committee, drafted resolutions, conducted appropriate pre-meeting briefings with senior management, attended board and all committee meetings and drafted and maintained minutes of the meetings. She also corresponded with shareholders and negotiated shareholder proposals. Cathy was also responsible for all matters relating to the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders.

Prior to becoming Corporate Secretary and Counsel of Sempra Energy, Cathy served as in-house counsel in the corporate law department of Sempra Energy. She advised business units on legal strategy and issues, ensured observance of corporate formalities for over 200 of Sempra's domestic subsidiaries and attended to general corporate matters including formations, organizations, maintenance, capital contributions and distributions, dissolutions and reorganizations and restructurings. Furthermore, she represented Sempra's subsidiaries from the preliminary discussion stage through the drafting, negotiation, signing and closing of various transactions including: mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, joint development projects, venture capital financings and licensing.

Earlier in Cathy's career she was a Business and Technology associate at the law firm of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, LLP. There, her practice focused on a full range of corporate and securities matters, including corporate formation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, venture financing, technology licensing, and general business counseling for both public and private companies. She represented public and private companies in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical-device, software, health care telecommunications, and information-technology industries.

Cathy is actively involved with the Corporate Directors Forum and is a member of its Corporate Governance Committee.   She is also a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel and the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals. She has a law degree from the University of Illinois, College of Law and has a bachelor's degree in economics and international relations from American University, School of International Service.

Cathy works with other experienced lawyers and paralegals to make the right resources available for your needs.