Sean D. Reyes was raised in a vibrant, multicultural, and multi-faith family. Growing up in Los Angeles and Hawaii, he developed a deep appreciation for diversity and resilience. His immigrant family emphasized the “5 G’s”: God, gratitude, grades, good works, and getting jobs done – principles that guided excellence in academics, work, service, athletics, and life.
The son of a Spanish-Filipino immigrant father and a Japanese-Hawaiian mother, Reyes is a former collegiate athlete who played for UC Berkely and MMA fighter. He and his wife of 30 years, Saysha, have six children.
Recruited by multiple colleges for athletics, Reyes chose Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. He later served a two-year Spanish-speaking service mission in some of Chicago’s most challenging neighborhoods.
A proud BYU alumnus, he graduated summa cum laude in 1994. Reyes then earned his Juris Doctorate from UC Berkeley School of Law in 1997, graduating with both honors and high honors. While in law school, he played collegiate volleyball for the Cal Golden Bears and continued training in mixed martial arts. He also studied Sports Law under legendary agent Leigh Steinberg, with whom he later collaborated professionally.
Before serving as Attorney General, Reyes built a distinguished legal career. He became one of the first persons of color in Utah to become a partner at a major law firm. At Parsons Behle & Latimer, Utah’s largest firm at the time, he excelled in complex litigation, representing a variety of companies in technology, aerospace and energy, including Fortune 500
His accomplishments earned him recognition as Utah’s Young Lawyer of the Year (2005) and the American Bar Association’s first National Outstanding Young Lawyer (2008).
Later, Reyes served as general counsel for a tech and media company in Utah’s Silicon Slopes and as a partner in a technology venture capital fund, where he led domestic and international business development and strategic alliances.
Reyes has devoted substantial time to service, holding roles as a youth coach, Boy Scout counselor, and ecclesiastical leader. He volunteered on numerous nonprofit boards and contributed as a judge pro tem in Utah’s Third Judicial District. He also served multiple terms on the judicial nominating commission, appointed by the Governor.
Appointed by the US Congress, Reyes served two terms advising the Senate and White House on Latino issues, including the establishment of a Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall. He helped revive the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and was a founding architect of its 501(c)(3) arm, the Somos Foundation, which has awarded over a million dollars in scholarships to high school and university students.
Reyes quickly developed a reputation for being out and involved in the community as well as a presence ar the Capitol overseeing major cases and criminal justice matters. He opened up his office to people of all backgrounds and walks of life, especially those from underserved areas. He was admired by diverse communities and had guests, programs and task forces representing victims and survivors, different faiths, dozens of nationalities and cultures, many industries, and frequent foreign visitors. Whether reading at elementary schools to Title I kids, visiting veterans in senior homes, honoring youth and scouts with awards, hosting dignitaries or celebrities, or hitting whiffle balls in the Capitol Courtyard with local pro teams, his philosophy was “to best serve people, I must really get to know them.” As AG, he spent 5-6 days a week working 12-14 hours trying to meet and serve as many in Utah as possible.
Appointed in 2013 and elected for three subsequent terms, Sean D. Reyes redefined the role of Utah’s Attorney General. His leadership focused on protecting Utah’s laws, families, liberties, natural resources and economic prosperity by modernizing law enforcement, putting Utah at the forefront of major national cases and providing leadership on pressing societal challenges. Key achievements include:
He co-founded the Utah Opioid Taskforce, engaging stakeholders from all corners of society, reducing overdose deaths, prosecuting notorious drug smugglers and dealers, and holding pharmaceutical giants accountable through landmark litigation; and he created the Instead Summit with the Wahlberg Foundation to educate teens and their parents on the opioid epidemic and provide solutions to fight back.
Reyes created the Utah At Ease Program, leveraging strong relationships with major law firms in the state to provide free legal services to men and women in the armed forces and their families.
As AG, he was an outspoken advocate locally and nationally for recognition of Gold Star Families and their fallen loved ones; He worked closely with the White House to expand resources to Veterans, simplify benefits and streamline the bureaucracy of the VA; He volunteered for and provided key resources for the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial and the 1033 Foundation supporting families of officers lost in the line of duty.
He broadened coverage of AG led sanctuaries and resource hubs known as Children’s Justice Centers to protect abused children and provide familial support so that, for the first time, every county in the State of Utah has ready access to state-of-the-art technology and cutting edge, trauma informed techniques for child health assessment and healing.
As a national leader on technology and public policy, AG Reyes helped lead powerful coalitions of fellow state AGs and collaborations with the Department of Justice to hold accountable the largest social media companies in the world that too often endangered the mental health, privacy, wellness and physical safety of young people in America. Reyes and his Solicitor General at the time, Melissa Holyoak, used novel arguments to bypass the previously impenetrable Section 230 defenses employed by Big Tech to escape liability. He also led national cases to stop tech companies from exploiting the private data of citizens.
Reyes emerged as a global leader in the fight against human trafficking, testifying in Congress, leading investigations and prosecutions of some of the most significant cases in the USA, pioneering many programs and protocols in Utah to empower survivors and to support victims, all while overseeing domestic and international training programs to dismantle trafficking networks.
Reyes introduced advanced technologies like Rapid DNA, virtual reality for violence de-escalation training, and other cutting-edge innovation, to enhance law enforcement effectiveness and community safety, including an award-winning module to train cops nationwide on protecting the autism community. Reyes also mandated mental and behavioral resources for law enforcement, particularly those dealing with child sex abuse materials and heinous child crimes.
He co-founded the SafeUT App, a national model, for providing free crisis support to students, military, first responders, and others and for better protecting against school violence; Reyes helped develop and launch the national 988 mental health hotline providing hope and resources across America to those in crisis including many Americans battling depression, addiction, suffering disorders, or ideating suicide or other self-harm or harming others.
Reyes innovated the first-in-the-nation White Collar Fraud Registry, teamed with the SEC and state agencies, and empowered citizens to quickly research and avoid scams and schemes involving serial offenders; he prosecuted major white collar cases and created the first stand-alone state-wide investigative/prosecution unit in America dedicated to combatting billions of dollars lost to Organized Retail Crimes; and for his pioneering work in the field, he was recognized nationally with multiple awards.
In partnership with the Sundance Film Festival and with Utah FAN X (Comics, Cosplay), AG Reyes and local police leaders created and operated crisis hotlines and undercover teams to combat sexual assault and human trafficking.
AG Reyes fought for expanded funding and resources for Statewide Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Teams he led including the following Task/Strike Forces: Utah Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) (interdicting on Child Sex Abuse Materials and other online crimes to exploit children), SECURE (fighting Anti-Human Trafficking and related Crimes); Crimes Against State Economy (CASE); Child Abduction Response Team (CART); Utah Trafficking in Persons (UTIP) and the Utah Opioid Taskforce.
As an executive producer of the A&E series “Addiction Unplugged,” Reyes showcased stories of recovery, and those who broke the cycle of addiction, inspiring hope across communities; he oversaw the AG Office creating gun safety videos and materials for the community, and used media creatively to warn consumers and seniors about fraudulent and illegal activity, while promoting safe driving, and resources for victims and survivors of crimes.
His collaborative approach earned him local and national recognitions from community, faith, and business leaders, from his peers, and grateful stakeholders throughout Utah and the USA; among his more prominent distinctions was a White House Award of Commendation for bipartisan efforts to protect children, veterans, and families in America.
He brought landmark lawsuits to protect local and state management of lands and natural resources that have been neglected by the federal government causing forest fires, invasive plant and animal species and destructive wildlife practices, in addition to economic harms.
AG Reyes traveled up and down the state and could be seen participating in 4H and FFA activities. He advocated for farmers, ranchers and rural interests, standing up to oppressive federal mandates that severely limited grazing, recreation, and multiple uses of public lands to the detriment of Utah’s rural communities.
AG Reyes traveled up and down the state and could be seen participating in 4H and FFA activities. He advocated for farmers, ranchers and rural interests, standing up to oppressive federal mandates that severely limited grazing, recreation, and multiple uses of public lands to the detriment of Utah’s rural communities.
AG Reyes sued the federal government when it proposed requiring small businesses to mandate vaccinations or suffer massive penalties. He successfully blocked the government based on fundamental constitutional concerns.
Reyes’ commitment to excellence has been widely celebrated. Some notable accolades include:
Sean Reyes, a trailblazer in Utah and American history, served as the state’s 21st Attorney General and top law enforcement official from 2013 to 2025. As the first minority ever elected statewide in Utah and the first Filipino-American outside of Hawaii to hold statewide elected office in the history of the United States, Reyes helped bring Utah’s Silicon Slopes to national and even global prominence.
Prior to his full-time public service, Reyes was already a leader and pioneer in law, business and charitable endeavors. He was the first Pacific Islander to make partner at any major Utah law firm.
While at the state’s largest private firm, he established a national reputation and was honored as the Utah Young Lawyer of the Year. Shortly after, he was chosen from all lawyers in the United States as the first ever National Outstanding Young Lawyer by the American Bar Association for his skill in the courtroom, integrity, leadership in his practice, and service to the community.
Later, as General Counsel for a tech and entertainment company and as a General Partner for a tech venture fund, he became the first Native Hawaiian in Utah to serve in both such positions. During that time, he was also nominated by Senator Bob Bennett and appointed by the White House to serve on a historic commission advising Congress on issues related to the Hispanic community.
Reyes has spent decades serving and leading non-profit and charitable organizations. He was also appointed by multiple governors and presidents of the United States to advisory and leadership roles.
Reyes had unique qualifications when he took office as attorney general and later won three statewide re-elections. His experience as a tech and entertainment general counsel, small business entrepreneur, and leader in non-profit and community service, brought a fresh perspective to public service, emphasizing integrity, innovation, and compassion.
His tenure as Attorney General was marked by transformative initiatives that strengthened communities and protected the vulnerable, leaving a lasting legacy in Utah and around the world.
Of the many topics on which he speaks publicly, he is very open about the power of miracles in his own life and their impact on those who have influenced and inspired him. These miracles have powered his immigrant family’s American dream, his own multi-faceted career, and life-altering encounters with incredible people from quiet, unsung heroes to world leaders, celebrities and people of great influence.
Beyond his professional achievements, Sean Reyes is a devoted family man, married to his amazing wife Saysha for over 30 years and a father to six children. An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he has served in various ecclesiastical leadership roles and remains deeply connected to his community.
Today, Reyes’s experience and expertise is in high demand among some influential leaders, industries and institutions. He discreetly represents HNW individuals and family offices, founders, funds, firms, foundations, athletes and celebrities as well as global businesses, government entities, and charities. He sits on boards and advisory boards of companies.
As a special advisor, he can: (a) provide unique perspectives and advice from a regulatory or business perspective in areas such as cyber security and physical security; (b) help oversee legal teams and manage budgets; (c) add credibility to an organization or venture through high level relationships and networks of vetted professionals and partners; (d) connect clients to contacts for talent, strategic partnerships, capital, and more; (d) provide high level political introductions to address policy, compliance, or other regulatory issues.
General Reyes is also available for keynote speeches, trainings, moderating or participating on panels, emceeing, and participating in events such as meetings, summits, conferences, fundraisers or galas. He appears on select podcasts or shows to promote issues and causes he supports.