John Lee
Area of Focus
Business tax Diversity, equity, inclusion
Connect

John Lee

Partner, National InspirAsian ENG Leader
John Lee
Area of Focus
Business tax Diversity, equity, inclusion
Connect

About John

John Lee is partner in business tax services for RSM US LLP focused on tax consulting and advisory services for public and privately held companies, partnerships, nonprofit organizations, and foreign-owned corporations. He also leads InspirAsian, the firm’s employee network group (ENG) supporting RSM’s pan-Asian professionals and clients across the United States and Canada. John recently transferred from RSM Canada to RSM US to focus on client relationships management and business development. He is based in the firm’s Los Angeles office.


Experience

A licensed attorney with an LL.M. in taxation, John is a general tax practitioner providing consulting services on business expansion, foreign businesses operating in the United States, mergers and acquisitions, as well as tax due diligence for M&A and state and local tax matters. John has advised clients on a wide range of U.S. domestic and cross-border issues, including financing and refinancing structures, state income and franchise tax, sales and use tax, credits and incentives, treaty qualification, repatriation, withholding taxes, and FATCA, among others. 

John’s involvement with RSM’s culture, diversity and inclusion (CDI) efforts is a labor of love for him. John views the firm’s investment in CDI as a true differentiator, giving RSM a more diverse workforce, a wholly inclusive workplace, and a broader range of perspectives to provide solutions to clients. John reaffirms RSM’s belief that it’s incumbent on today’s leaders to ensure that the next generation of talent—including people of color and historically disadvantaged populations—has a clear path to career success within the firm. John appreciates that CDI underscores the firm’s values by leading with care and courage, especially during a time of societal disruption and turbulence. In 2019, John was named an RSM IMPACT Award winner for his focus on inclusive leadership and moving with intention toward a goal of unconscious inclusion across RSM. 

Naturally social, John has always had a particular focus on client relationships. He is passionate about helping clients grow in the middle market and bringing the power of understanding to his client engagements. He serves as a trusted advisor to help clients make tax-informed decisions that will ultimately help them grow and succeed. He enjoys solving problems and interacting with RSM clients as well as RSM employees. 

John joined RSM Canada in 2018 and was previously the Canadian firm’s national leader for U.S. tax. Prior to joining RSM, John worked for a Big Four accounting firm and started his career with a global law firm.   

John is dad to an active toddler daughter. He and his wife were both offered transfers from Toronto to Los Angeles at the same time and now work in the same building in downtown L.A.


Professional affiliations and designations

  • New Jersey State Bar
  • New York State Bar
  • United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Federal Judiciary

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts (honours), University of Toronto
  • Juris Doctorate, Rutgers University School of Law 
  • LL.M., taxation, Georgetown University Law Center
  • Certificate in state and local taxation, Georgetown University Law Center