Devin R. Bates

Devin Bates is engaged in an active litigation practice in Arkansas as well as in other states, including work done in multi-district litigation and complex commercial cases. He has experience in business litigation, education law, products-liability cases and appellate advocacy. Prior to attending law school, Devin taught math at Lakeside High School in Lake Village, Arkansas, where he served as Dean of Students. Devin's experience as a teacher and administrator gives him the unique understanding of schools which enables him to better assist his educational clients' with their needs and goals. His prior experience also includes work in the finance division of a leading pharmaceutical company. He lives in downtown Little Rock where, as an avid cyclist, he enjoys easy access to the Arkansas River Trail System.

Experience

• Represented one of the state’s largest school districts in three week federal court trial contesting desegregation issues in historic case.
• Handle complex constitutional litigation and high stakes disputes.
• Advise public school districts on issues of compliance and litigation avoidance.
• Defend companies, schools and individuals involved in litigation of employment issues and engaged in complex commercial litigation relating to the enforceability of contracts, covenants and agreements.
• Write appellate briefs and motions for appeals in federal and state courts.
• Provides strategic advice on employment matters to ensure compliance with employment laws.
• Advises clients on Arkansas Freedom of Information Act matters and sending and responding to requests for records subject to FOIA.
• Conduct depositions, manage document production, and oversee discovery in cases of varying degrees of size and complexity. Engage in written and oral argument of offensive and defensive discovery motions.
• Challenge administrative actions at the federal and state level by drafting written complaints, navigating various procedural systems, and developing a strategy to achieve client objectives.

Professional Recognition

• JD Supra Readers' Choice Top Author - Products Liability (2021)
• The Best Lawyers in America©: "Ones to Watch" Labor and Employment Law - Management (2021)
• The Best Lawyers in America©: "Ones to Watch" Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants (2021)
• Graduate, Leadership Greater Little Rock, Class XXXV (2019-2020)
• The Order of the Barristers (2016)
• Managing Editor, William & Mary Business Law Review (2015-2016)
• Winner, National Competition, Hassell Constitutional Law Moot Court (2015)
• Finalist, Southeast Region, NC3 Negotiation Competition (2015)

Involvement

• Board of Directors, AR Kids Read
• Board of Directors, Economics Arkansas
• Board of Directors, Create Little Rock, Little Rock Chamber of Commerce
• Eighth Circuit Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Arkansas Bar Association
• Pulaski County Bar Association

News & Articles

Firm News

• Mitchell Williams Recognized in JD Supra's 2021 Readers' Choice Awards
• Mitchell Williams Attorney Devin Bates Completes Leadership Greater Little Rock - Bates Graduates Class XXXVI
• 47 Mitchell Williams Attorneys Named to 2021 Best Lawyers® List - 17 Named 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch; 7 Named 2021 Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year"
• Mitchell Williams Attorneys Devin Bates and Lauren Grinder Presented at Firm's Peer Speaker Series - Discussed employment contracting and key provisions
• Mitchell Williams Attorney Devin Bates Selected for Leadership Greater Little Rock - Bates Joins Class XXXV
• Mitchell Williams Attorneys John Baker and Devin Bates Presented at the Arkansas Governmental Finance Officers Association's Annual Conference - Discussed new changes to FOIA law
• Mitchell Williams Announces Bates, Branscum, Dodd and McElroy Join Firm

Articles

• Arkansas' New Driverless-Vehicle Bill Makes Important Products Liability Distinction
• Non-Profit Hospital Real Property Potentially Exempt from County Property Taxes
• Can an Employer Require its Employees to Get the Covid-19 Vaccine?
• Securities Litigation Results in Win for Broker and Clarifies Law in the Eighth Circuit
• Product Liability Appeal Won Due to Analytical Gaps in Plaintiff's Expert Witness Opinion
• Company Defeats Alleged Whistleblower Bringing Claim Under Obscure Whistleblowing Law
• Classifying Workers as Employees or Independent Contractors: New Rule on the Horizon
• Distinguishing Between Bullying and Protected First Amendment Speech: Arkansas Specific Laws
• Distinguishing Between Bullying and Protected First Amendment Speech: Lessons Learned from One School's Constitutional Blunder Over Anonymous Sticky Notes
• Arkansas School's Restriction on Student Speech Found "Unreasonable" by Eighth Circuit
• Three Ways the CARES Act Helps Nonprofit Organizations Deal with COVID-19 Fallout
• Products Liability Series: What is the Statute of Limitations on a Products Claim Under Arkansas Law?
• When Minor Classroom Misbehavior Escalates to a Federal Court Lawsuit
• Products Liability Series: Does Arkansas Law Require an Expert Witness?
• Winning Early in Complex Business Litigation Alleging Fraud
• Product Manufacturer Wins Strategic Victory at the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Products Liability Series: Does Arkansas Law Recognize a Post-Sale Duty to Warn? (Part II)
• Products Liability Series: Does Arkansas Law Recognize a Post-Sale Duty to Warn? (Part I)
• New I-9 Form for Employers
• How Should Arkansas Schools Handle Parent Demands for Emails About Students? Navigating FERPA & FOIA.

Publications