The American Contract Compliance Association has recognized Franklin M. Lee, a partner at Tydings & Rosenberg LLP, with its 2021 Parren J. Mitchell Crusader Award. Mr. Lee received the award for his steadfast service as an instructor and advocate for contract compliance officials who have been attending ACCA’s National Training Institutes for the past 35 years. The award is named in honor of the late Maryland Congressman Parren J. Mitchell, who is a revered national icon for minority business enterprises. Affectionately known as “the Godfather of Minority Business Enterprise,” Congressman Mitchell was a tireless and fierce advocate for economic inclusion who devoted his entire 16-year Congressional career to such advocacy, as well as the passage of trailblazing federal legislation on behalf of small and minority-owned businesses. For nearly 40 years now, Mr. Lee has strived to follow Congressman Mitchell’s example of principled public service and leadership, fighting to provide equity and opportunity for all minority business entrepreneurs.
In his law practice, Mr. Lee represents businesses in navigating the intricacies of minority and disadvantaged business policies and regulations. In addition to his work with MBE/WBE clients, Mr. Lee advises major corporate clients regarding compliance with socio-economic government policies, regulations, and programs. Finally, Mr. Lee’s representation extends to government clients regarding the development of various effective and legally defensible procurement and public contracting policies.
There has been broad recognition of Mr. Lee’s achievements through the years, including his appointment to the Maryland Governor's Commission on MBE Reform in 2003; his receipt of: the Unsung Hero Award from the Maryland Office of Minority Affairs in 2005; the 2007 Founder’s Award from the University of Maryland School of Law’s Black Law Student Association, the 2008 President’s Award from the Greater Baltimore Committee Bridging the Gap Initiative; the 2008 Congressman Parren J. Mitchell Vanguard for Justice Award from the Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise, the 2009 Legal Elite recognition from SmartCEO Magazine, and the 2013 Leadership in Law Award from The Daily Record.
Tydings is a Maryland-based law firm serving clients throughout the mid-Atlantic region. The firm provides a wide range of legal services in a variety of areas, including bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, corporate, business, and tax, general and commercial litigation, health care provider representation, employment counseling and litigation, IP, real estate, estates and trusts, and family law.