Michael B. Lee, a member of the law school’s inaugural Class of 2009, has been named to the 2013-14 Pennsylvania Bar Leadership Institute. 

Lee is among 10 attorneys in Pennsylvania under the age of 38 who received the recognition for leadership skills they have demonstrated after entering the legal profession within the last five years. 

In separate news, a municipal judge in Philadelphia acquitted 16 protesters who had been arrested in March for protesting the Philadelphia School Reform Commission’s decision to close 23 city schools, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on June 14. 

Lee was one of four attorneys who had represented the protesters, successfully arguing that they were exercising their rights under the First Amendment and that there was no evidence that they had engaged in reckless or disorderly behavior. 

A solo practitioner, Lee co-founded Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity, which launched the Criminal Record Expungement Project.  C-REP helps individuals get inaccurate or out-of-date information removed from criminal records, lowering barriers to employment, housing and other benefits.   

As a student, Lee demonstrated a commitment to public interest law, performing more than 125 hours of pro bono service while he was enrolled in law school.