Bernice C. Lee is a court-appointed receiver and bankruptcy attorney for high-stakes distressed situations. With experience spanning corporate restructuring and federal equity receiverships, Bernice leverages her experience to deliver practical, results-driven solutions in complex insolvency matters. Bernice advises distressed companies and creditors, and parties involved in insolvency-related litigation.

Bernice serves as the court-appointed receiver in complex matters involving distressed assets, fraud, mismanagement, multi-entity collapses, and large investor populations. Her work includes serving as the federal equity receiver for a $200 million Ponzi scheme, where she has recovered tens of millions of dollars and administered thousands of investor claims, and a $93 million multi-entity real estate investment scheme, where she has administered over $70 million in real estate through free and clear sales.

Bernice is recognized by Chambers USA for her work in both Bankruptcy Litigation and Bankruptcy Restructuring, and is described as “an excellent lawyer able to handle and manage effectively various complicated issues.” She is a frequent speaker on bankruptcy and receivership related subjects. In 2008 to 2009, Bernice was a law clerk for U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Paul G. Hyman for the Southern District of Florida.

RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

  • Changing of the Guard: The New Administration’s Impact on Regulation and Enforcement, Stretto Receiver’s Council (April 2026)
  • The Shifting Economic Landscape and Unpacking the Rise in Business Bankruptcy Filings, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (Nov 2025)
  • Pathways to Magistrate and Bankruptcy Judgeships, Florida Bar’s Federal Court Practice Committee (June 2025)
  • Equality and Empowerment Summit, Complex Litigation and Receiverships Panel, Federal Bar Association South Florida Chapter (April 2024)
  • Federal Court Settlement Conferences, Florida Bar’s Federal Court Practice Committee (May 2023)
  • Effective and Persuasive Legal Writing for Bankruptcy Lawyers, 32nd Annual Bankruptcy Skills Workshop at the University of Miami School of Law (June 2022)
  • No Releases for You! Purdue Pharma, the ‘Texas Two-Step’ and Other Recent Developments in Bankruptcy and Mass Tort Liabilities, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (March 2022)
  • Receiver and Trustee Appointments, American Inns of Court’s Bench & Bar Conference Miami (Feb 2022)

AWARDS AND HONORS

  • Chambers USA, Bankruptcy Litigation and Bankruptcy Restructuring (2022-present)
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights, Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2026)
  • Legal 500 U.S. City Elite (Miami Elite), Finance and Restructuring (2026)
  • Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy (2019-2026, Rising Star 2015-2018)
  • Legal Elite Notable Women Leaders in Law Award, Florida Trend (2025 and 2023)
  • Circle of Excellence Bankruptcy Award, Miami-Dade Bar Association (2024)
  • President’s Award, Asian Pacific American Bar Association of South Florida (2024)
  • Unsung Hero Award, Daily Business Review (2023)

SELECT REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS

  • MJ Capital Funding, S. Dist. Fla. – court-appointed receiver in $200 million Ponzi scheme and several clawback actions, recovering tens of millions for thousands of investors.
  • Location Ventures, S. Dist Fla. – court-appointed receiver in $93 multi-entity real estate investment scheme, administering $70 million in commercial and residential real estate through free and clear sales.
  • Family Trust Trustee, Miami-Dade Cir. Ct. – court-appointed trustee for family trust involving partnerships with substantial real estate holdings and allegations of millions in improperly transferred funds.
  • The Mall at Wellington Green, Palm Beach Cir. Ct. – counsel for court-appointed receiver in $300 million loan foreclosure action involving operation and sale of mall property in Palm Beach County.
  • Royal Palm Beach, Bankr. S. Dist. Fla. – chapter 11 counsel in hotel-condo renovation project in Palm Beach, successfully avoiding $27 million mortgage and obtaining court approval of $39 million sale.
  • Enclave at Hillsboro, Bankr. S. Dist. Fla. – chapter 11 counsel for beachfront development site, obtaining court approval of $50 million in real property sales and 100% distribution to all creditors.

ORGANIZATIONS

  • Federal Court Practice Committee of The Florida Bar, Chair (2025-present), Vice Chair (2023-2025), Education Subcommittee Co-Chair (2022-2023), and Judicial Roundtable Subcommittee Co-Chair (2021-2022)
  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Bankruptcy and Restructuring Committee Co-Chair (2025-present), and Southeast Alternate Regional Governor (2025-present)
  • National Association of Federal Equity Receivers, Member
  • Asian Pacific American Bar Association of South Florida, Past President (2017-2018)