Born in the district of Cañazas, province of Veraguas, in 1927, Luis Carlos Reyes practiced law for over 60 years, half of which were dedicated to an outstanding judicial and public service career, an achievement few attain. His first steps in the legal field were in his beloved Cañazas, where he began as a clerk in the municipal court, thus entering the judicial trenches.

Over time, he rose in the judicial field, serving as municipal attorney, municipal judge, circuit judge, and magistrate of a superior court in two judicial districts.

It is important to highlight that Luis Carlos reached these heights without having access to formal education, something scarce and difficult to obtain in rural Panama in the 1920s. Despite not having attended a law school or possessing a formal degree, he demonstrated a deep understanding and skill in the practice of law, earning recognition as a seasoned lawyer.
This remarkable achievement was made possible by Law 54 of 1941, enacted during one of Arnulfo Arias's presidencies, which allowed individuals holding certain judicial and administrative positions to be declared qualified lawyers, even without a formal law degree. This regulation, which was in effect before Law 9 of 1984 that regulated the practice of law in Panama, recognized the experience and knowledge acquired in the legal field through practice and public service.