James Hay Reed

James Hay Reed (September 10, 1853 – June 17, 1927) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. With partner Philander C. Knox, he formed the law firm of Knox and Reed. Early life and education Born on September 10, 1853, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Reed received an Master of Arts degree in 1872 from the Western University of Pennsylvania (now the University of Pittsburgh) and read law in 1875. Career Reed was in private practice, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1875 to 1891. In 1877, he formed the law firm of Knox and Reed (later Reed Smith) with Philander C. Knox which would eventually count the industrialist, Henry Clay Frick, and the wealthy Mellon family among its clients. He became a federal judge in 1891 and, following his resignation from the bench the following year, Reed resumed private practice in Pittsburgh, from 1892 to 1927.