Mike Lees '97

Mike Lees ‘97 graduated from the University of Arizona in 2000 receiving a B.S. in business administration with a double major in accounting and finance. Following his undergraduate studies, Mike earned his law degree from the University of San Diego School of law in 2003, and his Masters in Law (LL.M.) in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center in 2004.

Mike currently lives in San Diego (where hewas born and raised) with his wife, Jessica and two daughters, Lexi and Vivienne, where he is a partner in the downtown San Diego law firm of Solomon Ward Seidenwurm & Smith LLP. Mike’s professional practice involves representing businesses (large and small), business owners, individuals and professionals regarding their corporate, partnership/LLC, tax, real estate, estate planning and other contractual matters.

Mike has received great accolades for his success, with recognitions including (but not limited to) San Diego Business Journal’s ‘Most Influential People in San Diego’ (2022) and ‘Top 100 Leaders in Law Honoree’ (2022), San Diego Super Lawyers (2022), San Diego Magazine’s ‘Top Lawyers in San Diego’ (2019-2022), San Diego Daily Transcript’s ‘Top 40 Under 40’ (2018) and San Diego Metro ‘Top 40 Under 40’ (2018). Mike also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Diego School of Law is a member of the board of directors for International Relief Teams, a nonprofit humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering caused by poverty, disaster and, neglect – in the United States and around the world.

While an undergrad, Mike served as the chapter Social Chair, Rush Chair, Scholarship Chair and Song Chair, and spent his sophomore and senior years living in the fraternity house. He kept himself busy outside of the chapter as well, with involvement in Spires Sophomore Honorary, Chimes Junior Honorary, Blue Key National Honorary, Optimi Honorary, Order of Omega, Phi Alpha Delta and served as the chair for GAMMA. Still a proud alumnus, Mike has been on the board of the University of Arizona Alumni Association’s San Diego chapter (the BeachCats) for more than twelve years.

“The best experience I had during my four years of college was my time in the fraternity,” says Mike of what Gamma-Rho means to him, “The growth I achieved as a person during those four years of my life was due to the fraternity not what I learned in any particular class.”