Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Lee was in the United States Navy in the aftermath of World War II, from 1945 to 1947.

He received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1950 and a Bachelor of Laws from Duquesne University School of Law in 1954.

He was a special assistant state attorney general of Pennsylvania from 1963 to 1974.

He was a Judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County from 1984 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1990.

Lee was nominated by President George H. W. Bush on November 9, 1989, to a seat vacated by Judge Hubert Irving Teitelbaum.