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When Stoel Rives partner George Meier asked Ed Reeves to provide pro bono legal services for Central City Concern during the 1980s, Meier had no idea how close to home the nonprofit organization鈥檚 mission was for Reeves.

Central City works to end homelessness through several programs, including housing, health and substance abuse assistance, and volunteer and employment opportunities. Reeves began providing employment and labor counseling for the organization in 1988.

Reeves, now a partner in Stoel Rives, felt a particular connection to Central City because his father and maternal grandmother both died from alcohol abuse. His mother also battled alcoholism, stopped drinking in her 30s and dedicated her life to counseling others with addiction issues.

鈥淐CC really is a safety net that provides the very basics that you want people to have,鈥� Reeves said.

CCC recently honored Reeves for his decades of service. Reeves also serves as a pro bono attorney for Outside In, Cascade Aids Project, the American Civil Liberties Union, Basic Rights Oregon and Oregon Repertory Singers.

鈥淭he beauty of doing pro bono work is that you鈥檙e offering people who do good work a skill that they need, and that helps fulfill their mission,鈥� Reeves says, noting he has worked for most of those nonprofits for more than two decades. 鈥淚鈥檓 fortunate that I鈥檝e been able to help some organizations that were fledgling at the time, but have really stood the test of time and expanded.鈥�

Reeves decided to become an attorney after teaching high school English in Massachusetts for two years. The school district was about to begin cutting teaching positions, and Reeves knew he could earn a better living and make a bigger difference by becoming a lawyer. He earned his law degree from Boston University in 1983.

Soon after, Reeves and his partner of 32 years moved to Portland and he joined Stoel Rives. His practice has focused on counseling employers, educating management in all areas of labor and employment law, and advising private colleges and universities on aspects of education law. He also serves as a neutral mediator and arbitrator.

In his free time, Reeves is a member of Oregon Repertory Singers and enjoys hiking in the Columbia River Gorge.