The history of Lee and Li can be traced back to the 1940s. Mr. James Lee, one of the two founders, began his practice with two U.S. attorneys during that period in Shanghai. The other founding partner, Dr. C. N. Li, also practiced in Shanghai at that time. Both of them specialized in transnational legal matters. 

Mr. James Lee established his own firm at Second Floor, No. 10 Huaining Street, Taipei in 1953 and was later joined by Dr. C. N. Li in July 1965 at Ninth Floor, No. 42 Xuchang Street, Taipei, henceforth laying the foundations of Lee and Li. Mr. James Lee passed away in 1970. Subsequently, with an eye toward sustainable operations, Dr. C. N. Li renamed the firm Lee and Li. The firm had around 20 employees at that time and focused mostly on transnational legal matters and intellectual property right issues. 

After Dr. C. N. Li passed away in 1973, the firm was managed by Mr. Frank C. S. Wang, Mr. Paul S. P. Hsu, Mr. Kwan-Tao Li, Mr. Vincent Cheung, Mr. Y. N. Wang, Mr. C. Y. Yin and Dr. C. V. Chen, and moved to its current address at Seventh Floor, No. 201 Dunhua North Road, Taipei in 1976. After Mr. Y. N. Wang, Mr. Vincent Cheung and Mr. C. Y. Yin retired and Mr. Frank C. S. Wang passed away in 1982, Mr. Paul S. P. Hsu, Mr. Kwan-Tao Li and Dr. C. V. Chen guided the firm through its extraordinary growth into one of the largest law firms in Asia. 

Mr. Paul S. P. Hsu retired on January 1, 2004. To sustain its tradition of excellence and build on the competitive edge for which the firm is renowned, Dr. C. V. Chen, Mr. Kwan-Tao Li, all the other partners and senior counselors implemented an initiative to streamline the firm's organization and management. When the restructuring was completed, Dr. C. V. Chen was elected the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner, Mr. Kwan-Tao Li was elected the Chief Senior Counselor, and Mr. Nigel N. T. Li was elected as the Deputy Executive Officer on January 1, 2005. In 2008, Mr. Nigel N. T. Li was elected the Chief Executive Officer and Dr. C. V. Chen continues to serve as the Managing Partner. Mr. Kwan-Tao Li retired on January 1, 2009 and was appointed Of Counsel. The number of Lee and Li's partners has increased since then. With expertise covering all professional areas and building on the foundations laid down over decades, the firm has been steadfast in its commitment to the quality of services to clients and the country.