REAVIS, JOHN WALLACE "JACK" (13 Nov. 1899-27 July 1984) was a preeminent business lawyer, tax specialist, and managing partner of the law firm of JONES, DAY, REAVIS & POGUE from 1948-1975. Active in civil rights, Reavis used his influence to help promote better race relations. He received the NAACP's Human Rights award for his work in 1969.
Born in Falls City, Nebraska, Reavis attended the public schools in Washington, D.C., and received the LL.B. degree from Cornell University in 1921, following service in the U.S. Navy during WORLD WAR I.
Reavis began his career in 1921 as an associate in the law firm of TOLLES, HOGSETT, GINN & MORLEY, predecessor to Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue. As a tax specialist he was mainly responsible for developing the firm's tax practice. On 1 Jan. 1928 Reavis was made a partner in the firm which bore his name as Jones, Day, Cockley & Reavis on 1 Jan. 1939. Reavis became managing partner In 1948 and led the firm's national expansion.
Reavis served on the board of directors for eleven major corporations including National City Bank and Diamond Shamrock Corporation. In 1964, while Chairman of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce (see GREATER CLEVE. GROWTH ASSN.) Reavis created and chaired the Interracial Business Men's Committee. Composed of business and civic leaders, the group worked to diffuse inner-city tensions and discuss grievances concerning housing, employment and education.
Reavis married Helen H. Lincoln on 23 May 1924. They had two sons: John W., and Lincoln. Reavis, an Episcopalean, is buried in LAKE VIEW CEMETERY.
Borowitz, Albert. Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue: The First Century (1993).
Peirce, Neal R. The Megastates of America: People, Politics, and Power in the Ten Great States (c. 1972).