Benjamin Reese

Benjamin Reese has extensive experience representing clients in state and federal courts throughout the United States. As both an experienced litigator and skilled negotiator, he has managed many high-profile cases to their conclusion with great success.

Reese also served as Ombudsperson for the Rockefeller Foundation and founded the Fifth Avenue Center for Counseling and Psychotherapy in New York City, providing counseling on implicit bias, race relations, cross-cultural education among universities, corporations and nonprofit organizations.

Early Life and Education

Ben is an experienced trial lawyer, having practiced both state and federal courts throughout Tennessee. He excels at litigation, enjoying its planning and strategizing aspects – having represented insureds and self-insureds successfully on numerous matters.

At conferences, professional associations, and not-for-profit organizations across the U.S. and beyond he frequently speaks and facilitates workshops on implicit bias and systemic discrimination issues, with over 100 consultations and presentations completed under his name.

He is a member of both the American Bar Association and the International Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, earning his doctorate in clinical psychology at Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with bulbar-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in July 2013, continuing his ministry until his passing away on November 6, 2014.

Professional Career

Reese has represented corporate clients in complex white collar criminal and civil litigation and enforcement proceedings at federal, state and local levels. He has also provided defense for commercial disputes involving securities or antitrust issues.

James is an in-demand national and international speaker, workshop facilitator, and consultant on implicit bias, race relations and cross-cultural education in higher education, healthcare settings, professional associations, profit/nonprofit corporations and law firms. Additionally, he serves as a member of both Full Frame Documentary Film Festival Board of Trustees and Center for Documentary Studies Board of Advisors.

Ben is an engaging individual with great enthusiasm for life. Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi (Chinese Zodiac) tradition and Hinduism’s Jyotisha (Vedic Astrology), Ben can be described as hardworking and perseverant individual who is reliable and decisive.

Achievement and Honors

Benjamin Reese has received many honors and recognition in his lifetime. As a consultant to over one hundred educational institutions, profit and nonprofit corporations, and healthcare organizations both within the U.S. and internationally on topics related to implicit bias, race relations, cross-cultural education.

As an international representative for both the International Council of Psychologists and World Federation for Mental Health (non-governmental organizations), Dr. Hogg was presented with the United Nations Peacekeeping Service Award by both organizations in 2016 from United Nations General Assembly. Additionally, Triangle Business Journal presented him with The Diversity Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of nearly fifty years of leadership on issues regarding race relations and diversity issues.

Reese serves on the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival’s Triangle Advisory Board and helped develop First Team, its members engagement program. He is also a board member at Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies where Full Frame resides.

Personal Life

As a family man, Ben and Kelly have two beautiful young daughters that make him extremely proud. Ben enjoys golfing, skiing and hiking with his loved ones whenever possible.

He has provided consulting services to many public and private institutions regarding implicit bias, conflict resolution, cross-cultural education and diversity issues. Furthermore, he serves as president of BENREESE LLC and professor of psychology.

Reese was Duke University’s ombudsman and vice president of institutional equity for over two decades, helping address issues of bias and discrimination within its walls. A respected member of his community, Reese was widely known and appreciated for his commitment to equality; his commitment inspired many. Unfortunately in 2013 he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease; yet continued ministering through this difficult time.

Net Worth

Reese was an impressive 6-foot-3 and 190 pound figure during his time. However, unlike most power hitters of his era, Reese wasn’t known for being a classic power hitter but instead boasted outstanding hand-eye coordination as well as great instincts at bat.

After spending his first season with Thomasville (Georgia) Tigers of Class D Georgia-Florida League, Reese earned promotion to Double-A with Wilson Tobs in Carolina League – leading his league with fielding percentage while also hitting an impressive.333 average with one home run and three stolen bases.

Parson Jonathan MacLean seems far too healthy and well-liked for such an abrupt and mysterious demise, according to Archivist Ben Reese who had traveled to Scotland in order to appraise its contents for Lord Alexander Chrisholm – leading him to suspect any possible foul play as they appraise the castle contents for Lord Chrisholm heist. Reese will need to piece together clues as soon as he arrives to determine who killed MacLean.