About Aaron J
Aaron J Reed built his legal foundation at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, where he earned a B.S. in Business, Real Estate and Finance in 2012. He then attended Arizona Summit Law School and received his J.D. in 2015, concentrating his studies in criminal law. While in law school he gained courtroom exposure through a judicial externship at the Maricopa County Superior Court in 2014 and an internship at the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office in 2015.
Reed moved into private practice soon after law school. His early years were spent as an associate at Kenneth Countryman, PC in 2016 and then at The Baker Law Office in 2017. In 2018 he joined Ryan Garvey Lawyers as a senior associate, taking on heavier trial responsibilities and more complex case loads. In 2022 he became a partner and trial lawyer at DwaneCates.com, PLLC, where he handles federal and state litigation and leads trial preparation for criminal matters.
Over the course of his career Reed has sought experience across court levels. He is admitted in Arizona and practices in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and the Ninth Circuit. Those admissions have shaped the kinds of matters he accepts and the procedural environments he navigates. Work in both state and federal forums informs his litigation approach and his view of case strategy.
Reed’s résumé shows steady courtroom work. His time in public defense exposed him to arraignments, pleas and early motion practice. Subsequent roles increased his involvement in discovery disputes, motions practice, and bench and jury trials. Colleagues describe him as a lawyer who prepares thoroughly for hearings and focuses on trial readiness. He has handled matters that required coordination across investigators, expert witnesses and co-counsel in multi-party litigation.
On the professional association side Reed holds memberships in the Maricopa County Bar Association and the American Bar Association, both listings beginning in 2015. Those memberships provide access to continuing legal education and a forum for professional exchange, especially on questions of criminal procedure and federal practice.
He maintains an active trial practice at DwaneCates.com, PLLC, where he represents clients in criminal defense and federal litigation matters.
