George T. Lee is a highly respected corporate and securities attorney with decades of experience advising small businesses, private equity funds, hedge funds, registered investment advisers, and family offices. Known for his deep legal knowledge and practical, business-minded counsel, George has served as both inside and outside general counsel to his clients, giving him a unique perspective on what truly matters to investment managers.

Throughout his career, George has worked with firms of all sizes—from emerging fund managers to well-established financial institutions—helping them navigate complex ownership structures, regulatory landscapes, fund formations, investment management agreements, prime brokerage relationships, and mergers and acquisitions. He has extensive experience with SEC, CFTC, and Texas Securities Board registrations and examinations and is a recognized authority on the family office exception to investment adviser regulation.

George’s legal journey has taken him from a top AMLAW 100 firm in New York to founding a boutique law practice focused on the investment management industry. He served as general counsel and chief compliance officer for a hedge fund manager before launching and leading boutique law firm Lee & Stone, which merged with Gardere & Wynne (now Foley & Lardner). His thought leadership has influenced both state and federal securities regulations, including the Texas private fund managers’ exemption and the SEC family office exemption.

A sought-after speaker and writer on investment management topics, George frequently shares insights on regulatory developments, private equity fundraising, and ethical considerations in securities law with a focus on the Investment Advisers Act. He is an active member of the legal community, serving in leadership roles for the Business Law Section of State Bar of Texas and various other charitable and legal organizations.