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Sean Reyes is a partner handling billion-dollar cases at Utah's largest law firm, a husband, and a father to his four young children. That's work enough for many.
But it just wouldn't be in his nature for Reyes to stop there.
One of Utah's first major law firm partners of color and the child of parents who overcame adversity, Reyes is a strong voice for Latino businesses and political power in the state. He's also known as a mentor for law students of color who is exceptionally generous with his time.
"I don't want to do things just to have my name on them," he said. "I really want to make a difference - that was my dad's mantra, 'Do a job well or not at all,' so I try to adopt that into my life."
This week, the Utah State Bar named Reyes, 35, Young Lawyer of the Year, a top honor in connection with Law Day and a recognition of his efforts to encourage diversity on Utah's legal scene.
Around 3 percent of Utah's bar members are minorities and more than 90 percent of Utah's judges are white - disproportionate figures, considering 15 percent of Utah's 2.2 million residents are minorities.
Gilbert Bradshaw, president of the Minority Law Student Association at the Brigham Young University's law school, nominated Reyes. He recounted Reyes' efforts to spur him and other students on.
"I remember Sean took one particular student under his wing and answered his questions for nearly an hour," Bradshaw said. "I watched as that particular student pulled his grades up at his junior college, transferred to the University of Utah, and started working at a law firm. He later told me that the conversation that he had with Sean was crucial."
Reyes brings in judges and attorneys to hobnob with minority students, but also ensures they meet individually, Bradshaw said.
Reyes recalls his first job fair for students as an eye-opening experience.
"The thing that struck me the most is how few of them have confidence in their abilities and a true picture of the opportunities available to them," he said.
He tells students they must focus early on getting good grades - and has followed through, including arranging tutors. Reyes also urges students to not let fear of failing stop them from trying.
Growing up in Southern California, Reyes was encouraged by his parents to try it all, from sports to poetry.
Reyes' father was a teenage singer, actor, artist and heartthrob in the Philippines who was related to the country's president. But when Ferdinand Marcos rose to power, Norberto Reyes came to the United States on a student visa and overstayed, avoiding immigration trouble for three years before he was arrested.
While in a detention camp awaiting deportation, he won a national art contest to commemorate the death of Martin Luther King - and caught the attention of Coretta Scott King and her lawyers. They prevented his deportation and he later became a movie producer and entrepreneur.
Reyes' mother, of Japanese and Native Hawaiian heritage, was a teacher, administrator and principal during her 40 years in the Los Angeles public school system. Annette Reyes expected nothing less than A's from her son.
"They were examples of people who would never let anything inhibit them," said Reyes.
After graduating from Brigham Young University in 1994 with a degree in English, Reyes attended law school at the University of California at Berkeley and married his wife, Saysha, in his second year there. Reyes earned his law degree in 1997 and returned to Utah to begin his career at Parsons Behle & Latimer, the same firm where he is a shareholder today.
As immediate past president of the Utah Minority Bar Association, Reyes helped the group to blossom, persuading many of Utah's law firms to sign a pledge to diversity and honoring the first 50 minority lawyers in Utah.
Among his other community work: helping create the Utah Hispanic Business Leadership Foundation, which awards scholarships to college and trade school students; and volunteering with the bar's Young Lawyers Division, the Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly and the Utah Hispanic/Latino Legislative Task Force.
Some have suggested he consider politics - something he hasn't ruled out.
Add to all this a stint as a bishop for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, coaching Junior Jazz and leading a Boy Scout troop.
Attorney Ross McPhail wrote in his nomination that it is the balance Reyes has found in life that sets him apart. Reyes and his wife live in Cottonwood and their children range from 7 months to 8 years old.
"Sean has sought to maintain an equal balance between a full and active professional career, his commitments to the community, and the family that he loves," said McPhail.
Reyes doesn't take the praise he often hears too seriously. He gives most of the credit to his wife's support, and has a down-to-earth manner that makes students feel at ease.
And in his garage is a gold sports car with a license plate that makes him smile.
It reads: "Blingin."
Law Day 2006
The May 1 observance celebrates the American rule of law. This year's theme: "Separate Branches, Balanced Powers."
The Utah State Bar will host a luncheon Monday with new Court of Appeals Judge Carolyn B. McHugh speaking at the Little America Hotel, 500 S. Main Street, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $30, available in advance or at the door. Contact Kim Neville or Angela Stander at 801-257-1900.
Awards will go to:
* Judge Memorial Catholic High School and Kaysville Junior High School for winning this year's statewide mock trial competition. The Scott M. Matheson Award will go to Judge Kevin R. Christensen, in recognition of his efforts coaching mock trial teams.
* The Liberty Bell Award goes to Staci Duke, who has raised funds for civil legal aid programs as coordinator for "and Justice for all."
* Winners of the Salt Lake County Bar Association's Art & the Law project are: Margarie Lemanski, Madeline Choir School (Best of Show); Cari Sanyer, Washington Elementary School (Judges Award); Travis Neria, Northwest Middle School (1st Place, Upper Level); Christopher Fajardo, Brookwood Elementary School (1st Place, Intermediate Level ); and Karina Garcia, Washington Elementary School (1st Place, Junior Level).
* The Utah Minority Bar Association's Law Day Essay Contest winner is Sophie Jin of West High School; Tyson Tharp of Murray High School took second place.