Nona M. Lee

Nona Lee is an attorney licensed to practice law since 1995 in the State of Arizona. Nona started her legal career in private practice as a litigator handling commercial litigation, personal injury, and employment law cases. In January 2000, Nona joined the Phoenix Suns as Associate General Counsel, where she also provided shared services to the Phoenix Mercury WNBA franchise and the Arizona Diamondbacks MLB franchise, which were all jointly owned. In addition to drafting, analyzing and advising executives with respect to business contract matters, Nona also utilized her litigation skills to minimize organizational risks and assist with litigation handled by outside counsel.

In 2005, after the Arizona Diamondbacks were sold to different owners, Nona left the Phoenix Suns to start the first dedicated in-house legal department for the Diamondbacks as their first Vice President and General Counsel. For the next 17 years, Nona expanded and managed the legal department and was responsible for all legal matters impacting the organization, both domestically and internationally. In addition to negotiating and drafting a variety of complex business contracts, Nona also served as legal support and internal advisor to the executive management team, ultimately elevating to Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer of the organization.  

In addition to handling complex contract negotiations, Nona also assisted with all human resource issues including, without limitation, employment actions, internal investigations, organizational policies and procedures, and responses to grievances filed with MLB. Nona also assisted with development and implementation of Sexual Harassment and Anti-Discrimination training for the organization. In addition, Nona was responsible for leading the organization’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, drafting and overseeing the organization’s DEI Strategic Plan, assisting with Social Justice Educational Programming, and chairing the D-backs for Change Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council. 

Nona currently serves on the sports and commercial arbitration panel for the American Arbitration Association. She also served as a panelist on the NCAA Independent Resolution Panel from 2020-2023, hearing NCAA infractions cases. Since 2000, Nona has served as a Court-appointed Arbitrator for the Maricopa County Superior Court.

In addition, Nona is the Founder & CEO of Truth DEI Consulting, and the co-Founder of Truth Retreats, which she started after leaving the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022.

Education

  • Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations Certification – Diversity & Inclusion (2020)

  • Harvard University School of Law, Executive Education Certification – Leadership in Corporate Counsel (2010)

  • Oklahoma City University School of Law, Juris Doctor (Summa Cum Laude; Graduate of the Year) (1995)

  • Pepperdine University, Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting with a Minor in Business (Scholarship Student Athlete) (1981)

Admissions

  • Bar

    • Arizona State Bar Association

  • Court

    • Maricopa County Superior Court

    • U.S. District Court – Ninth Circuit – District of Arizona

Affiliations

  • Arizona State University Sports Law & Business Program (Advisory Board Member and Faculty Associate)

  • National Sports Law Institute (Marquette University School of Law) (Member, Board of Advisors)

  • National LGBTQ+ Bar Association (Board Member; Co-Chair of Diversity & Inclusion Committee; Member, Personnel Committee)

  • Sports Lawyers Association (Past-President; current Board Member; Co-Chair of Diversity & Inclusion Committee)

  • Women’s Sports Foundation (Trustee Emeriti)