Patricia Lee

ERISA and Benefit Plan Litigation

Commercial Litigation

Construction

White Collar Criminal Defense

Health Care

Patricia Lee is an experienced and tenacious litigator who has handled a broad spectrum of civil and criminal cases in state and federal court. She has represented clients in the areas of healthcare and commercial litigation, construction, class action defense, white collar criminal defense and internal investigations. An aggressive advocate, Patti honed her trial skills and strong attention to detail early in her career as a criminal defense lawyer. She frequently represents a myriad of companies and industries in complex and difficult matters, and has achieved successful results through motions, settlement, trial and appeal. Regardless of the size or scope of a case, Patti develops a tailored and efficient legal strategy for each matter to meet her clients’ legal and business objectives.

As Chair of Connell Foley LLP’s ERISA and Benefit Plan Litigation Group, Patti devotes a substantial portion of her work to defending lawsuits that seek benefits under health plans, or that assert claims for statutory penalties or injunctive and declaratory relief. She has defended numerous claims brought against managed care companies and self-funded health benefit plans for relief under common law and statutes such as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), state and federal RICO, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the New Jersey Health Claims Authorization, Processing and Payment Act (HCAPPA), and other federal and state health insurance and information technology laws. She has also prosecuted affirmative claims for health care fraud and secured significant overpayment recoveries under the New Jersey Insurance Fraud Prevention Act (IFPA) and common law.

In addition, Patti has defended class actions on behalf of clients in the managed care, construction, insurance, utility, food and beverage, and other industries. Her work has contributed to the dismissal of claims and/or denial of class certification in putative class actions brought under ERISA, state and federal RICO and antitrust laws, New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (CFA), Truth-in-Consumer Contract Warranty and Notice Act (TCCWNA), and the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Patti has frequently served as local counsel in class action matters in the Federal District Courts for New Jersey and New York, working collaboratively with her co-counsel to achieve optimal results for their clients. In the construction space, Patti has represented clients in complex construction litigations arising out of delay and defective workmanship claims, lien claims, architectural and engineering liability, fraud claims and builder’s risk insurance coverage disputes, as well as on transactional agreements for new construction projects.

Patti has served as a member of Connell Foley’s Executive Committee, and also as Co-chair of the firm’s Diversity, Women’s Initiative, and Hiring Committees. She has volunteered as pro bono counsel on behalf of domestic violence victims, and is currently the Co-chair of the Essex County Bar Association Civil Practice Committee.

New Jersey State Bar Association

NJSBA Class Action Subcommittee

New Jersey Federal Bar Association

New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

New Jersey Women Lawyers Association

Women's White Collar Defense Association

USLAW, Construction Practice Group

Defense Research Institute (DRI)

Life, Health and Disability Committee

A New Jersey Health Insurer Blue Cross/Blue Shield Wins $2.4 Million Jury Verdict in Healthcare Fraud Suit

New Jersey Law Journal, 10.03.2024

Court Finds “Hypothetical” Injury Insufficient for Claims of ERISA Preemption of NJ’s Out-of-Network Surprise Billing Law

04.01.2020

Co-author, "ERISA Health Benefit Plans: Anti-Assignment Clauses as the First Line of Defense to Provider Lawsuits"

New Jersey Law Journal, 06.20.2016

Co-author, "Out-of-Network Dilemma: When Members Should Be Parties to Reimbursement Dispute"

New Jersey Law Journal, 05.02.2016

Co-author, "Transparency in Out-of-Network Reimbursements: Can It Reduce Health-Care Costs in NJ?"

New Jersey Law Journal , 11.16.2015

Author, "Handling EHR System Audit Trails and Self Audits: Critical tools for the health-care lawyer"

New Jersey Law Journal, 09.07.2015

Co-author, "The Complexities Of Civil Rico Prosecution And Defense"

08.2012

Co-author, "New Jersey's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program: Opening the Door to Expanded Tort Liability"

New Jersey Law Journal, 09.13.2010

American University - Washington College of Law

JD

1998

Rider University

BA

1995

Best Lawyers in America (2024 - 2025) Commercial Litigation

Best Lawyers

Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Finalist

New Jersey Law Journal

2024

New Jersey Super Lawyers – Health Care (2018-2025)

Super Lawyers

Partners in Justice Award

Partners for Women in Justice

2023

Best 50 Women in Business

NJBIZ

2018

Volunteer Settlement Program Recognition

Essex County Bar

2023