Education
Rutgers University School of Law, J.D.
Florida A&M University, B.S.
Bar Admissions
State of New Jersey
State of New York
United States District Court - District of New Jersey
Memberships
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, and a Past Basileus (President), Jersey City Chapter
Volunteer Program Administrator, Morristown Neighborhood House Rites of Passage Program
Executive Committee, New Jersey Council of County Colleges, 2011-2018
Chair, New Jersey Council of County Colleges, 2011-2014
Executive Committee, Association of Community College Trustees, 2013-2018
Chair, Association of Community College Trustees, 2016-2017
Board of Directors, Association of Community College Trustees, 2011-2018
Speaking Engagements
Moderator, Affordable Housing Panel, The Jersey City Summit for Real Estate Investment, 6.17.21
Keynote Speaker, Kente Graduation, Hudson County Community College, 12.7.20
Novogradic Conference, Miami - 2019 Affordable Housing Conference: Using RAD and the LIHTC, 1.19.19
Novogradic Conference, San Francisco - 2018 Credit and Bond Financing for Affordable Housing Conference, 5.16.18
Novogradic Conference, Philadelphia - 2018 RAD Public Housing Conference, 4.26.18
Bakari Lee is Interviewed on One on One with Steve Adubato - One on One with Steve Adubato; 11.05.14
Commencement Speech, Atlantic Cape Community College
Commencement Speech, Bergen Community College
Commencement Speech, Warren County Community College
Recognition & Award
M. Dale Ensign Trustee Leadership Award, 2023
Ronald D. Winthers Community College Trustee Leadership Award, 2023
Board of Directors, Association of Community College Trustees, 2011-2018
Boy Scouts of America Whitney M. Young Service Award, 2015
Honorary Associate of Arts degree, Atlantic Cape Community College
Biography
Bakari G. Lee’s primary practice area is special counsel for affordable housing transactions involving low and moderate-income housing tax credits, the Rental Assistance Demonstration program and other federal, state and local financing programs, for public housing agencies and private developers alike. In recognition of this experience, Bakari was appointed to the Affordable Housing Advisory Council of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, where he served as Vice Chairman before his tenure ended. Bakari has also served as bond counsel to multiple clients at the state, county and local level, as well as providing underwriter and trustee counsel services. In addition, Bakari provides general counsel services to public and private entities involving a wide array of issues. Bakari also serves as the firm’s Chief Diversity Officer and is a member of the Executive Committee.
Bakari Lee is an active advocate for education. In 2006, he was appointed to the Board of Trustees for Hudson County Community College. In 2024, he transitioned off the board and was designated as a Trustee Emeritus. Nationally, Bakari served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) from 2011-18, on its Executive Committee from 2013-2018 and as its Chair from 2016-2017. He also served as Chair of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) from 2011-2014 and served on its Executive Committee until 2018. Bakari was also awarded an honorary Associate of Arts degree by Atlantic Cape Community College for his work in the community college sector. Bakari has given commencement speeches at Warren County Community College, Bergen Community College and Atlantic Cape Community College. He was recently recognized by ACCT with the M. Dale Ensign Trustee Leadership Award, the most prestigious national recognition in the field, and by NJCCC with its Ronald D. Winthers Community College Trustee Leadership Award.
Prior to joining McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, in 2003, Bakari was a law clerk for the Honorable Darryl Dean Donohue of the Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands – St. Croix Division. Before joining the Territorial Court, he was a Senior Financial Analyst in the Animal Health Division of Pfizer, Inc. in positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately supporting the division’s business development and strategic planning initiatives.
Bakari is active in several social and civic organizations. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, and a Past Basileus (President) of the Jersey City Chapter. Bakari is also the Volunteer Program Administrator for the Morristown Neighborhood House Rites of Passage Program. He is also the proud recipient of the 2015 Boy Scouts of America Whitney M. Young Service Award and was recognized in 2018 by the New Jersey Chapter of the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association as an “Alumni Making a Difference”.
News
International Mentoring Day
Today, we recognize the transformational power of mentoring, especially within public sector law.
I Am A Mentor Day/National Mentoring Month
At MS&B, mentorship isn’t just a box we check. What started as informal, ad hoc guidance has evolved into an intentional, structured program that provides new team members, attorneys, and staff a true sense of belonging and equity within our firm.
MS&B's Diversity Council Equips Staff to Recognize and Address Microagressions
MS&B's Diversity Council Equips Staff to Recognize and Address Microagressions
MS&B Launches New Mentorship Program
We’re thrilled to unveil our brand-new mentorship program, a key part of our DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) initiatives aimed at nurturing new talent and fostering growth!
MS&B Member & Chief Diversity Officer, Bakari G. Lee, Appointed Trustee Emeritus of Hudson County Community College
After 18 years of dedicated service to the Board of Trustees at Hudson County Community College, including 12 years as Vice Chair, Bakari G. Lee has transitioned off the board and been appointed Trustee Emeritus. This esteemed title honors his significant contributions to and lasting impact on the Board’s work. Congratulations on this outstanding honor, Bakari!
Strategies for Funding Affordable Housing
Creating additional affordable housing can signal exciting growth, but finding sufficient capital is a common hurdle for many municipalities.
DCA to Publish Guidance on New Affordable Housing Obligations
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is anticipated to publish guidance on new affordable housing obligations on October 20, 2024 (or within seven months of the effective date of the bill, whichever comes earlier.)
With MS&B’s support, the Newark Housing Authority (NHA) is making long-awaited progress on a group of low-incoming housing projects.
MS&B, led by Bakari G. Lee, recently represented the Newark Housing Authority (NHA) in a complex transaction to acquire 263 public housing units. These units were originally constructed through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Hope VI grant program, a resource designed to transform public housing nationwide.
Municipality Responsibilities Under NJ's New Affordable Housing Bill
If you’re wondering just how much affordable housing New Jersey towns will be required to zone for, build, convert or renovate under the state’s new bill, you’re not alone.
NJ's Transit Stations Can Help Spur More Affordable Housing
With municipalities working toward meeting new affordable housing requirements under recent legislation, a greater focus on transit-oriented development (TOD) is an important next step.
MS&B Closes on Complex and Significant Transaction for the Newark Housing Authority
Our firm closed on a complex and significant transaction in representation of our client the Newark Housing Authority (“NHA”) to acquire three affordable housing developments known as West Kinney (133 units), Stella Gardens (93 units) and Hayes (37 units) (collectively, the “Developments”). By way of background, NHA undertook the Stella Wright Homes Hope VI Revitalization Plan which consisted of the construction of five (5) new affordable housing properties (“Development Plan”).
MS&B Partner Bakari G. Lee Awarded the M. Dale Ensign Trustee Leadership Award
MS&B Partner Bakari G. Lee, has been awarded the M. Dale Ensign Trustee Leadership Award from the Association of Community College Trustees. This award is considered the ACCT's most prestigious national recognition in the field.