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Butte, Sutter, Yuba, Tehama, Glenn, Colusa Counties, CA November 4, 2014 Election
Smart Voter Full Biography for Jim Reed

Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 3

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This information is provided by the candidate

Attorney & National Politician Possessing over 30 Years Experience

  • Diverse Practice Areas including: Commercial Litigation, Criminal Litigation, Trial Practice, Trusts & Estates, Taxation and Family Law.
  • Two-time Democratic Candidate for Congress credited with energizing the Party in heavily Republican Districts.

LEGAL EXPEREIENCE: Nichols, Catterton, Downing & Reed, Inc. 1977-present
  • Associate 1977-1984 Acquired Skills including: Took depositions, tried jury & non-jury trials, argued motions such as demurrers, summary judgment, discovery and applications for Government claims. Worked on matters including: subrogation actions, probate litigation, family law, medical malpractice, personal injury and asbestos litigation.
  • Managing Partner/CEO 1984-present Lead all operations in the firm's two offices starting in 1984 including an extensive legal practice; multiple attorney & staff employee oversight; long term strategic planning; and overall case management.
    1. Litigation Experience: have conducted more than 800 trials in multiple jurisdictions, including more than 50 jury trials. a. One of the largest jury verdicts in the US-2004 b. Established that Common Law rules on Competency are not superseded by Probate Code §§810-813. c. Multiple jury verdicts that included the right to punitive damages. d. Successfully argued multiple appeals.
    2. Transactional Experience: contracts, incorporations, partnership & limited partnership agreements, LLC operating agreements, charity organization and tax-exempt status, estate and tax savings plans and provided general transactional advice to individuals, companies and charitable organizations. a. Negotiated & drafted employment contracts for professionals such as doctors, engineers and medical researchers. b. Drafted over 2000 estate plans that included tax savings provisions. c. Negotiated & drafted settlement agreements between competing parties with conflicting interests. Extensive Pro Bono Practice (more than 10,000 hours). Representing indigent clients, charitable organizations and trial work for just causes.
    1. Indigent Clients: Fall River Mills provides very limited legal services, especially in civil areas, for those who cannot afford representation. My office has provided those services pro bono for 18 years.
    2. Charitable Organizations: Organized, advised and obtained tax-exempt status for 1) Sheriff's Flying Posse, 2) Public Swimming Pool, 3) 8 animal rescue groups, and 4) 4 arts & crafts groups.
    3. Litigation: As an example, tried a 6 week jury trial, pro bono, for the community against a commercial property owner which properties were blighted and being used to display signs disparaging the town and its people.

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
  • Congressional Candidate (Calif. 2nd Dist.) 2009-2010
    1. Ran against a 24 year Republican incumbent.
    2. The Republican incumbent decided to retire in 2011 rather than face a repeat election campaign against me.
  • Congressional Candidate (Calif. 1st Dist.) 2011-2012
    1. Ran as a Democrat in these highly Republican-dominated Districts.
    2. Achieved primary victories, including the 2012 open primary that included 8 candidates. a. Participated in multiple televised debates and interviews, daily speaking engagements, outreach to numerous interest groups and organizations, traditional & on-line fund raising, social media interaction, selection & oversight of campaign staff. b. Obtained 43% of the total vote in both elections. c. Most recent available data shows a 41% Republican advantage over District Democrats (see Ballotpedia.com accessed 11/29/2012). d. Due to redistricting, the Republican advantage increased 119.41% between 2010 and 2012 (see Ballotpedia.com accessed 11/29/2012). e. Out-performed President Obama in all most all 11 Counties of the District. f. Endorsed by the Shasta County D.A., City of Chico Mayor, 3 of the Non-Democrat primary opponents, the California Labor Federation, the California Teachers' Association, the Sacramento Bee and the Chico News and Review.
    3. The 2012 Campaign website, jimreed2012.com, remains on-line and contains many videos of debates, interviews and position statements.

FURTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
  • Engineer/Patent Application Draftsman
    1. Applied for Chemical Process Patents.
    2. Applied for Airline Safety Features Patents.
    3. Applied for Electronic Device Patents.
  • Private Pilot 1997-present
    1. Extensive training, including night & mountain flying.
    2. More than 1500 hours solo flying.
    3. Licensed Pilot since 1998.
  • Life Master-Bridge (victories in local, sectional, regional & national tournaments)

I have done pro bono work for the following organizations:

  • COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY - drafted organizing documents; drafted State and Federal Charitable qualification documents.
  • SWIM TEAM ONE (Building a community pool) - drafted organizing documents; drafted State and Federal Charitable qualification documents.
  • EASTERN SHASTA COUNTY SHERIFF'S POSSE + drafted organizing documents; drafted State and Federal Charitable qualification documents.
  • GEORGE F. DALES SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION (archeological scholarships) - drafted organizing documents; drafted State and Federal Charitable qualification documents; serves as Trustee and member of the scholarship selection committee.
  • COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE FALL RIVER MILLS - drafted organizing documents; drafted State and Federal Charitable qualification documents; acted as plaintiff's counsel in Shasta County Action aimed at forcing the owner of many commercial properties in Fall River Mills to clean up his property and to otherwise comply with state law + 7 week successful jury trial
  • TLSTAR FOUNDATION (Pet Rescue) - drafted organizing documents; drafted State and Federal Charitable qualification documents; prepared agreements and real property transfer documents.
  • SPAY AND NEUTER INTERMOUNTAIN PETS AND PET PLACEMENT - drafted organizing documents; drafted State and Federal Charitable qualification documents.
  • PET GROOMING ACADEMY - drafted organizing documents; drafted State and Federal Charitable qualification documents
  • PETE LAKEY MEMORIAL TRUST FOUNDATION (4H scholarships) - drafted organizing documents; drafted State and Federal Charitable qualification documents
  • OLD STATION VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, INC. + provided legal advice and opinion
  • CASSEL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT + provided legal advice and opinion
  • FALL RIVER MILLS COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT + provided legal advice and opinion
  • FALL RIVER VALLEY LIBRARY + provided legal advice and opinion
  • FALL RIVER GALLERY & GIFTS + provided legal advice and opinion

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: July 16, 2014 10:39
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