Proven Leadership

Sean D. Reyes has served as Utah’s 21st Attorney General and the state’s top law enforcement officer since 2013. He graduated summa cum laude from Brigham Young University and earned his law degree with honors from U.C. Berkeley.

Attorney General Reyes litigated and tried cases for nearly 14 years at a prominent Utah law firm, representing global clients including many from the technology sector. Later, he served as General Counsel for a technology and media company based in Utah’s Silicon Slopes and was a partner in a venture fund helping to invest in and run various technology businesses.

Recognized in 2008 as the American Bar Association’s first-ever National Outstanding Young Lawyer, Reyes was selected from thousands of his contemporaries.
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Reyes is a global expert in combating human trafficking, prosecuting some of the most significant cases in the western United States. In 2014, he garnered international attention as an undercover operative in Columbia on one of the largest sex trafficking operations on record, helping to liberate over 120 children in a single day. He has continued this work at the invitation of a number of countries, advocating for the most vulnerable. Domestically, he has led many more investigations and prosecutions of human trafficking cases. These have included labor trafficking, sex trafficking, child pornography, illegal adoptions and other types of forced exploitation.
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In January 2016, the Utah Attorney General’s Office in collaboration with the University Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI), the Utah State Office of Education, the Utah Anti-Bullying Coalition and the Utah State Legislature launched the statewide SafeUT Crisis Text and Tip line. By harnessing the use of app technology and education to provide confidential counseling services, Utah’s youth stay healthy and safe in schools. SafeUT has saved many children’s lives in addition to preventing school threats.

Reyes has used his interest and background in technology to help bring innovation to the forefront of trafficking in persons, drug crimes and white-collar crimes. His pioneering work in Rapid DNA, Live Time AI aggregation and virtual reality simulations are helping revolutionize law enforcement in the United States. The utilization of AI in response to child abduction cases shorten searches from days to hours and hours to seconds. Due to these cutting-edge protocols, experts in the field predict many more children will be rescued. Additionally, applications of AI have the potential to shorten response times to all incidents including opioid epidemic clusters, active shootings, natural disasters, lockdowns and wildfires.

Attorney General Reyes regularly speaks, testifies before and consults with government bodies and private sector companies and associations about innovation, regulation and ethics. Attorney General Reyes founded and hosts an annual innovation conference in Silicon Valley bringing tech founders, lawmakers and regulators together to showcase and discuss tech policy including IOT, UAV, robotics, autonomous vehicles, video gaming, VR and AI innovation.

Since his appointment, the cooperative success with the DEA has expanded to include active participation and support of the DEA 360 program. The collaborative efforts have created a force multiplier effect through DEA 360 and the Utah Opioid Task Force, addressing and combating the affliction of opioid abuse. He continues to fight tirelessly to educate and reduce opioid related deaths. Most recently, Reyes was cast as narrator and host of a new A&E series, “Addiction Unplugged,” a timely follow-doc that travels from city to city taking a compelling look inside the world of addiction and recovery. The first season aired in August 2019 with a second season slated for 2020.
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Awards & Recognition

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Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes has received numerous other awards for innovation, excellence and service to his state, his country and the world. Some of the industries that have recognized him include: technology, law, law enforcement, education, real estate, direct sales, construction, assisted living, etc.

The following is a partial list of honors that Reyes has achieved over the past two decades:

‍Utah Best of State Award, Utah Best of State Commission, 2015 to 2020 (for six consecutive years)

AG Reyes honored as Best Elected Official for State, Best Victim Advocate and 10 other Best of State Awards for AG Office Personnel, Programs or Affiliates

Leadership Recognition, Masonic Temple, Salt Lake City, 2020

For protecting the State of Utah and serving its people

Commendation, Veterans of Foreign Wars, (2019, 2015)

In recognition of the AG's undying support of veterans and their families for events at the White House, VA Innovation, Honor Flights, Utah at East Program, Operation Teddy Bear, Navy Seal Foundation among other veteran-related campaigns

‍Distinguished Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America Great Salt Lake Council, 2019

For Eagle Scouts of over 25 years achieving extraordinary national-level recognition, fame or eminence; granted to Reyes for distinction within the field of law and politics

‍Award of Merit, Fraternal Order of Police Utah Lodge, 2018

Awarded for continued advocacy and support for the law enforcement community in Utah and nationally, for dedication to fallen law officers and their families, for training and protecting members of law enforcement throughout the entire state

Leadership Award, Alliance Defending Freedom, 2018

For leadership and advocacy in protecting families, children and freedom

AV Preeminent Rating (5.0/5.0) for over 10 years, Martindale Hubbel

Highest possible peer reviewed rating on legal, success, ethics and professionalism made anonymously and confidentially by Utah and U.S. lawyers

Leadership Recognition, North Ogden Kiwanis, 2017

Presented for service and representing the Kiwanis values while defending the State of Utah and communities like North Ogden

‍Public Servant Award, International Leadership Foundation, 2017

For a career dedicated to service, leadership, integrity, and mentoring generations to live the American Dream and for preeminent accomplishment in business, law and public service

Best Brief U.S. Supreme Court, National Association of Attorneys General, 2016

Coveted distinction among all other AG Offices in the nation

Distinguished Service Award, Operation Underground Railroad, 2016

For being a powerful local and global voice to raise awareness in the fight against human trafficking, child sexual abuse, child pornography, exploitation and all forms of modern day slavery; for bravery in the field and a powerful advocate for victims

National Service Award, Boy Scouts of America, 2016

For leadership, excellence and service to BSA, a tireless advocate for youth and development of young people and a commitment to serving the Hispanic and other minority communities in BSA

Liberator Award, Marriott Foundation, 2016

For heroism in life threatening circumstances to rescue children from the bonds of sex trafficking

Leadership Award, Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, 2015-2016

For leadership in protecting American youth and the greater community by promoting safe driving, better parental communication and for filming PSAs in English and Spanish for national use

Rotary International Recognition, Utah Rotary Chapters, 2016

Special recognition for efforts to protect children and particularly those trapped in modern day slavery

Public Official of the Year Finalist Award, Weyrich Foundation, 2015

Recognized for public service and commitment to conservative values

Humanitarian Service Award, Republic of Mexico, 2015

Honored for rescuing children from the horrors of human trafficking, for training Mexican law enforcement and working with them to fight trafficking in the United States and Mexico

National Republican Rising Star, Republican National Committee, 2015

Named one of four national rising stars for the RNC

Honorary Sheriff Leadership Award, Utah Sheriff's Association, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015

For leadership and service to law enforcement and support of Sheriffs in Utah and their mission to protect and serve counties throughout Utah

Daniels Fund Ethics Award, Daniels Fund, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015

Finalist for recognition as an agency by nationally acclaimed non-partisan organization; award based on ethics and integrity, honesty, respect for people, loyalty and reliability, entrepreneurial spirit, patriotism and dedication to community and a commitment to excellence

Meritorious Service Recognition, Utah Narcotics Officers Association, 2014

For support and service to officers and agencies whose mission is to combat illicit drug crimes in Utah

Distinguished Service Award, Accelerate Ventures, 2013

For service to the start-up and technology sector through companies affiliated with Accelurate Ventures

Stands with Israel Award, 2012

For policy, business and political support of the nation of Israel

‍Top National Business Leader Award, Asian American Business Leaders, 2010

Honoring the nation's most influential and accomplished Asian American leaders in business

‍Outstanding Young Lawyer for the Nation, American Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois, 2007

Inaugural recipient of highest national award for a young lawyer. One lawyer selected a year among all young lawyers throughout America for excellence in legal skills, integrity, professionalism, leadership and service to bar, community and country

Distinguished Alumni Service Award, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 2008

Youngest honoree in university history of highest award for service

Utah Young Lawyer of the Year, Utah State Bar, Salt Lake City, Utah 2006

Recognized for legal excellence, leadership, professionalism, service to the bar and service to the community at large

Outstanding 50 Asian Professionals in America Award, Asian American Business Development Center, New York, New York, 2008

Selected along with a number of Fortune 500 executives and recognized in New York Times; first Utahn selected for award

Utah Legal Elite, Utah Business Magazine, Salt Lake City, Utah 2005-2013

Eight years in annual ranking of Top Lawyers in Utah for litigation, employment law and in-house categories

National Top Lawyers, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Boston, 2009

Selected as one of the Nation’s Top Lawyers under the age of Forty

National Partnering Award, American Bar Association, Honolulu, Hawaii 2006

Given to Utah Minority Bar Association for service programs

Special Merit Award, Utah State Bar, Laguna, California, 2006

For Utah Minority Bar Association programs and First 50 Minority Lawyer celebration under his tenure

Mountain States Super Lawyers, 2009-2010

Regional recognition for excellence in legal practice by peer review.

Enlightened 50, Greg Warnock and Community Foundation of Utah, 2011

Part of inaugural class of fifty honored for social entrepreneurism

40 Under 40, Utah Business Magazine, Salt Lake City, Utah 2006

Selected as one of Utah’s most influential Business Leaders under the age of Forty

Utah’s Twenty Most Influential Hispanics in Business, Business Connect Magazine, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2008

Selected as one of Utah’s most influential business leaders

Asian Business Professional of the Year, Asian Chamber of Commerce, Salt Lake City Utah, 2008

Award for success in business and service to the community

Utah Young Lawyer of the Year Award , Utah State Bar, Salt Lake City Utah, 2005

Award for leadership, excellence, professionalism and service in the practice of law

Meet Sean

Proven Leadership

Awards & Recognition

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