Reed Lee, a longtime board member of the Free Speech Coalition (FSC), passed away at the age of 68
C H I C A G O- On Monday longtime adult industry lawyer and Free Speech Coalition board member Reed Lee died of an apparent heart attack Exercise He was 68.
FSC chairman and longtime friend Jeffrey Douglas recalls that Reed’s fierce intellect and astounding command of the law made him stand out even in the company of peers. Wherever he went-even among First Amendment Lawyers Association meetings, gatherings composed entirely of overachievers, brilliant litigatorsand great thoughtful minds-he was recognized as truly a sterling
According to Douglas, Lee suffered a heart attack on Sunday and was rushed from his native Chicago to neighboring hospital where he died today.
I was privileged to serve on the Free Speech Coalition Board of Directors for more than 20 years. In fact, I travelled with him. We drafted policy papers and by-laws, pleadings of all kinds; we sat through meetings on committees and boards to the stroke at nightfall. There were a lot’s of places FSC has brought us: rowdy establishment after spectacular establishment in every one off our many trips out this way Added Douglas. We handled these numerous FSC statutory challenges, too-in fact, many other great lawyers did as well.
Lee, a veteran board member of the Free Speech Coalition specializing in First Amendment and civil liberties law as well as constitutional law, was also an established member of the national organization known writer’s Association.
Lee volunteered his legal talents to AVN in a variety of articles concerning the law; he also contributed widely to FSC ’ s work on questions related to censorship and First Amend ment rights. Lee lived in Chicago where he established a law firm specializing in adult entertainment and First Amendment issues.
He graduated from the University of Illinois with his Bachelor of Arts, then attended Western Reserve University and received his law degree.
Lee was an enthusiastic scuba diver, and he used to hop around the world chasing solar eclipses. He also participated in moot court and math competitions as a volunteer, while he continues to support First Amendment Lawyers Association (EFLA) and FSC.
“ Reed was a man of truly great principle. He lived closer to these principles than almost anyone I’ve known, in his choices and the important things he did in life,” according to Douglas.
Lee is survived by his life partner Claudia Halloran. Funeral arrangements are pending.
