Jessica S. Lee is a seasoned legal and business advisor with nearly two decades of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industries. Her unique background spans both legal and operational roles, enabling her to offer well-rounded, strategic counsel tailored to the specific needs of clients in these sectors. At Raines Feldman, she advises celebrity chefs, restaurateurs, developers, hotels, and casino clients on a wide range of matters including management and partnership deals, licensing agreements, and complex lease transactions. She also supports emerging culinary talents with corporate restructuring, fundraising, and brand equity protection.
Before joining the firm, Jessica served for 11 years as general counsel and head of strategy at one of the nation’s largest multi-concept, celebrity chef-led restaurant groups. During her tenure, she led the company’s expansion from 16 to 52 units, helping secure institutional capital and overseeing growth into diverse formats such as fine dining, fast casual, food halls, and airport concessions.
Jessica began her legal career as a litigator at Latham & Watkins LLP, focusing on business litigation, insolvency, and internal investigations. She also attended the California Culinary Academy and is fluent in Mandarin, bringing a distinctive, holistic perspective to her practice that blends legal skill with deep industry knowledge.
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