SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwired - Jan 5, 2015) - Hopkins & Carley, a law firm serving Silicon Valley businesses and individuals, adds Chuck Reed, the former mayor of San Jose as special counsel. Most recently completing two terms and eight years as mayor, Reed joins the firm's Real Estate Group.

"After a long, illustrious civic career, Chuck had a number of options, and we are pleased that he decided to return to his legal roots by joining our firm. His extensive experience and knowledge of land use and environmental matters, as well as his commitment to renewable energy, will be invaluable to our clients and our attorneys, who have much to gain from his unique perspective," said Hopkins & Carley's Managing Shareholder Jeffrey Essner. "Chuck's addition complements our outstanding team of real estate attorneys, which includes Joan Gallo, a former San Jose city attorney. The Real Estate Group provides clients with flexible, creative and pragmatic legal solutions and aims to achieve timely representation that anticipates and addresses problems and opportunities early in the legal process."

"The reputation of Hopkins & Carley and, in particular, its Real Estate Group is stellar, as evidenced by the firm's involvement in a large number of Silicon Valley's high-profile projects. I look forward to working with these outstanding attorneys and offering the insight my civic experience provides," said Reed. "Also, in choosing a firm, I sought one that shares my commitment to the community. Hopkins & Carley has consistently demonstrated its own commitment through its active roster of attorneys who serve on the governing boards and in leadership positions with several of our region's most prominent arts and civic organizations."

Hopkins & Carley's Real Estate Group has more than 45 years of experience representing commercial property users, owners, developers, contractors and lenders. The 18-attorney practice counsels clients on real property transactions, permitting and litigation matters across a variety of industries, users, and needs including CEQA, land use and environmental matters. The Real Estate Group understands the unique physical and economic structure of businesses in Silicon Valley and beyond. Its work in the high-tech sector is much sought after by high-tech tenants, real estate agents, and brokers.

Early in his career, Reed was the managing partner of Reed, Elliott, Creech & Roth, where his practice focused on real estate, environmental and land use law, and he served on more than 20 boards, commissions, committees, and task forces. After two decades of civic participation, Reed was elected to the San Jose City Council. He became the 64^th mayor of San Jose in 2006 and was re-elected in 2010.

Reed earned his B.S., with distinction, from the U.S. Air Force Academy (1970), his M.P.A. from Princeton University (1972) and his J.D. from Stanford University Law School (1978).

Hopkins & Carley is a premiere law firm with its primary offices in San Jose and Palo Alto. Meeting the legal needs of entrepreneurs, business owners, midsize and public companies, and high-net-worth individuals in a variety of industries for more than 45 years, Hopkins & Carley specializes in the areas of litigation, intellectual property, real estate, employment, estate planning, and corporate, tax and business transactions. On the Web: www.hopkinscarley.com.