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Chou-il Lee
Partner Indianapolis
- E clee@taftlaw.com
- T (317) 713-3519
- F (317) 713-3699
Summary
With an attention to the municipal legal market, Chou-il concentrates his practice on all matters involving litigation and municipal representation. Having worked for multiple Indiana counties, cities and towns in a variety of positions before joining Taft, including serving eight years as Corporation Counsel for the City of Terre Haute, he understands the practical challenges faced by all branches of municipal government and the attorneys who represent them.
In addition to the everyday responsibilities facing municipal corporate counsel, Chou-il has extensive experience with Hatch Act application, law enforcement discipline, collective bargaining agreements, and eminent domain proceedings. He has also issued opinions tied to Municipal Bonds, Bond Anticipation Notes, and Tax Anticipation Warrants. Chou-il is listed in The Bond Buyer’s Municipal Market Place (the “Redbook”).
Outside of the municipal market, Chou-il is an experienced litigator. He served as a Trial Deputy Prosecutor for both Vigo and Clay County and has extensive jury trial experience. His trial experience extends beyond criminal prosecution to include criminal defense, patent litigation, and representation of large corporate clients in the courtroom, as well as the various municipal matters that result in litigation.
Chou-il has been active with Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (formerly Indiana Association of Cities and Towns) where he has served on the Board of Directors and as Chairperson of the Corporate Advisory Council. He is a member of the Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association, as well as to the National Association of Bond Lawyers. Chou-il also serves as vice chair of the board of directors for the Community Health Network Foundation and has been involved with the Foundation’s Giving Gig Executive Leadership Committee and Auction Committee, including serving as chair of the 2020 and 2021 Giving Gig. He has presented on various municipal related topics on behalf of IACT, Aim, and IMLA including Public Safety Discipline, Municipal Fraud and Asset Misappropriation, Ordinance Procedures, Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser Status for Municipalities and the Clean Water Act.
Chou-il received his undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve University and his J.D. from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law – Bloomington.
All Service Areas
All Practices
- Eminent Domain
- Public Law
- Public Finance and Economic Development
- Local Government
- Internal Investigations
- Labor and Employment Litigation
- Patent Litigation
- Campaign and Election Law
- Government Relations
- Brownfield and Site Development
- Land Use and Zoning
- Commercial Litigation
- Public Affairs Strategies Group
Education
- Indiana University Maurer School of Law (1998)
- Case Western Reserve University (1995)
Admissions
- Federal - Northern District of Indiana
- State - Indiana
- Federal - Southern District of Indiana
Speeches and Publications
Speeches
Panelist, “Establishing an Inclusive and Inviting Environment: A Panel Discussion on Race and Racism in the Workplace and the American Legal System,” Webinar, Aug. 20, 2020
Presenter, 2019 Aim Ideas Summit, July 2019
Speaker, 15th Annual Diversity & Leadership Conference, April 2019
Presenter, Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association’s Municipal Law Seminar XXIII, June 2016
News
New Washington, DC Office & Preeminent Public Affairs Group Fuel Taft Law’s Continued Expansion Law Bulletins
Municipal Liquidity Funding Pricing Released by Federal Reserve Law Bulletins
The Federal Reserve Bank’s Municipal Liquidity Facility News
Taft Acts as Legal Counsel for City of Kokomo Eminent Domain Court of Appeals Win
Past Events
(Webinar) Establishing an Inclusive and Inviting Environment: A Panel Discussion on Race and Racism in the Workplace and the American Legal System Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved That You Need to Know About Municipal Resolutions, Ordinances and Codifications (CMC) Taft's Indianapolis Labor & Employment Annual Update The Potential for Criminal Prosecution of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager, Operators, and Employees
Professional Affiliations
- Accelerate Indiana Municipalities
Former Board Member
Former Chairperson, Corporate Advisory Council - Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association
Member
- National Association of Bond Lawyers
Member
- Terre Haute Bar Association
Member
- The Bond Buyer's Municipal Market Place (Red Book)
Listed
Community Involvement
- Community Health Network Foundation
Vice Chair, Board of Directors
Chair, Giving Gig (2020 and 2021)
Member, Giving Gig Executive Leadership Committee
Member, Auction Committee