Melissa Lee

Melissa Lee serves as a Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Civil Rights and Critical Justice, where she teaches and leads high-impact civil rights litigation. She holds a B.A. in International Studies and Spanish from Seattle University (summa cum laude, 2000) and a J.D. from New York University School of Law (2004).

Her research focuses on dismantling structural inequality, racial bias in legal systems, and advancing civil rights through litigation and policy advocacy. Key areas include sentencing reform, racial equity, and protections for marginalized communities in institutions. She has litigated cases addressing juvenile sentencing disparities, housing discrimination, and systemic bias in criminal justice.

Notable contributions include co-chairing the Racial Justice Task Force 2.0, which examines systemic discrimination in Washington’s criminal legal system, and filing amicus briefs in landmark cases like State v. D.L./M.S. and K.L. v. R.H.. She previously led the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality and worked in civil legal services for over a decade.

Her work bridges academia and practice, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration with teams such as the Anti-Racism Center and ACLU. Current projects include advocating for fair tenant screening policies and challenging discriminatory sentencing practices.