John C. Lee was born in Montreal, graduating from the George Williams University with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in 1967 and from Dalhousie University with a Law Degree in 1970. Following his graduation, John traveled across the country to join Lawson Lundell in Vancouver, where he was involved in a full range of legal work. He moved to Chilliwack, British Columbia in 1971, joining the firm then known as Hinds Davies & Company, which has subsequently become Baker Newby LLP. John has practiced with Baker Newby LLP ever since. John was appointed Queen's Counsel in February of 2009. The Queen's Counsel designation is an honor conferred on members of the legal profession to recognize exceptional merit and contribution.

John has been active in bar activities including Secretary of the Fraser Valley Bar Association, President of the Fraser Valley Bar Association, a member of the Canadian Bar Association and a member of the British Columbia Association of Trial Lawyers.

John's area of practice has a foundation in all areas of litigation, including acting as ad hoc prosecutor for the Attorney General of Canada, conducting of assize work for the Attorney General of British Columbia, a full range of criminal defense work, matrimonial law, insurance law, and other general civil litigation. He has taken mediation training and has been involved in over one hundred successful mediations. His practice has now evolved into a civil litigation practice, strongly focused on a balance between insurance and matrimonial law. He has appeared in all levels of court in British Columbia and presently primarily appears as counsel in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

John has also been actively involved in mentoring young lawyers who have worked at Baker Newby LLP, has been on the advisory panel for Family Law Lawyers, and has conducted seminars at the University of the Fraser Valley.

John has balanced his involvement in the law with an active involvement in his community. He has served as Director and President of the Chilliwack YMCA and is now on the Board of Directors of the Vancouver YMCA. In addition, he has been President of the Chilliwack Fraser Rotary Club, a member of the Board of Directors of the Chilliwack Historical Society and has actively supported his wife's involvement with the Chilliwack Hospital Board, Chilliwack Community Services, and the Chilliwack Hospice Society.

John's leisure activities include skiing, hiking, fishing and spending time on Hornby Island, as well as overseeing a family of five grown children and two grandchildren with his wife Rosemary.