Featured Lawyer: Alex Reyes

Alex Reyes 

Associate

Blackwell Burke P.A.

1.What is your area of practice?

I represent clients in a variety of civil litigation matters, including products liability defense, contract disputes, business torts, and distributorship disputes.  I also have experience representing clients in financial services lawsuits brought under various consumer protection statutes.

Pro bono service is also an important part of my practice. I represented an unaccompanied minor in immigration and related state court proceedings in Georgia through an amazing organization called KIND (Kids in Need of Defense).  I also represented a mentally disabled U.S. citizen in lawsuits involving his wrongful and illegal detention and deportation to Mexico.

2.Why are you unique?

I’m a proud St. Paulite who has returned home after living outside of Minnesota for almost 15 years.  I attended college and law school in North Carolina, and then practiced with a firm in Atlanta for seven years.  My time away was wonderful, but I’m thrilled to be back home!  I was fortunate enough to land an amazing opportunity to work with Blackwell Burke in Minneapolis. So far, I am thoroughly enjoying my new firm and exploring the west side of the river.

3.How did you do it?

I have amazing mentors who have supported and guided me to this point in my career and who continue to support and guide me in my future goals.  They are a huge part of why I always make time for students of all ages who are interested in going to law school or who are figuring out what other career path to take.

Also, the ebb and flow of litigation can be demanding, but I try to make time for myself by doing things I like, such as traveling.  So far, I’ve been to 31 countries.  I try to visit at least one country each year.

4.What do you do outside of the law?

Community involvement is very important to me.  I’m on the planning committee for the second annual “Central Honors Philando,” a community event organized by St. Paul Central High School alumni to celebrate the life of our classmate and friend Philando Castile and to raise money for a scholarship in his name.  I also serve on the board of LaAmistad, Inc., a nonprofit organization in Atlanta that works to empower Latino students and their families through after school tutoring, ESL courses, and summer camps.

Also, I’m a huge Vikings fan.  I was the founder and president of the Vikings Fan Club of Atlanta, and through that group I met fellow Minnesotans and Vikings fans living in Georgia. I’m excited to travel to games in Atlanta and London this year, and eventually to become a season ticket holder.

5.Who were the people critical to your success and who do you want to thank?

There are so many! I will be forever grateful to my amazing mother, who is the source of my drive to work hard and help others, and who still supports me unconditionally.  Any success I achieve, I owe in part to her.

Also, Justice Paul H. Anderson was the first judge, and the first lawyer, I ever met.  While I was in high school, he encouraged me to “show up” by taking advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.  That lesson has been invaluable to me throughout my career.  Professors Tim Davis and Simone Rose at Wake Forest have been my “adoptive” parents for over a decade, and they continue to be resources for me with both professional and personal advice. Last but not least, Steve Lewis, the managing partner at my former law firm, Troutman Sanders, always believed in me, gave me honest feedback, and made time to help me strategize on how to reach my goals.  He helped me change my thinking to believe that it is a matter of “when,” not “if,” I reach those goals.