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, products-liability cases, education law, and appellate advocacy. Before joining the firm, he served as a law clerk for Chief U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes, III. Prior to attending law school, Devin taught math at Lakeside High School in Lake Village, Arkansas, where he served as Dean of Students. He also spent time at a leading pharmaceutical company in its finance division. He lives in downtown Little Rock where, as an avid cyclist, he enjoys easy access to the Arkansas River Trail System.

Experience

• Write appellate briefs and motions for appeals in federal and state courts.
• 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.
• Assist in the defense of companies and individuals involved in litigation of employment issues, and engaged in complex commercial litigation relating to the enforceability of contracts, covenants, and agreements.
• 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.
• Served on defense team representing an international energy company after mass tort resulting in injuries and death. Prepared complex briefs related to exclusion of expert witnesses, venue challenges, and critical trial tactics.
• Served on defense team representing financial and administrative services company in a class action lawsuit alleging constitutional violations. Prepared complex briefs related to justiciability of the lawsuit, disputes under the Freedom of Information Act, and constitutional issues.
• Represented large national bank in federal court commercial litigation, successfully securing findings of civil contempt for non-compliant opposing litigants.
• Assisted in the representation of nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, including advising as to legal compliance, finding swift legal solutions without extensive litigation, and tailoring representation to meet client needs.

Education

• William & Mary Law School J.D., cum laude (2016)
• University of New Hampshire B.S., Economics, summa cum laude (2009)

Professional Recognition

• 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, Create Little Rock, Little Rock Chamber of Commerce
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Eighth Circuit Bar Association
• Member, Arkansas Bar Association
• Member, Pulaski County Bar Association

News & Articles

Firm News

• 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

• Hiring? Being Hired? Uncovering the Fine Print.
• School Not Required to Pay Attorneys' Fees Even Where IDEA Violation Found
• Crop Insurance Dispute Wrapped in Red Tape: One Farmer's Uphill Battle to Overturn Arbitration
• Business Recovers Millions in Fees, Expenses, and Costs After Claims by EEOC Found to be "Frivolous"
• I-630 Widening/National Environmental Policy Act: Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Addresses U.S. District Court Decision Denying Motion for TRO
• Skilled Lawyering Saves Defendant from Default Judgment in Products Liability Lawsuit
• First Amendment Rights of Licensed Teacher Litigated in Federal Court
• State Hospital Association Fights Changes to Medicaid DSH Payment Rules
• Business Defeats Certification of Nationwide Class Action in Eighth Circuit Appeal
• Are Hospital Clinics Tax Exempt in Arkansas? Court of Appeals Weighs in on the Bounds of the Public-Charity Tax Exemption
• The Future of Transportation: Bridging the Gap to the Electrification of Long-Haul Trucking
• Arkansas Business Fights NLRB to the Eighth Circuit
• Good Deal or Bad? Complex Commercial Litigation Even When You've Done Everything Right
• How Much is Enough to Remove? Considerations that Shouldn't be "Smuggled into the Judicial Inquiry."
• Proceeding Without Local Counsel—lawyer beware!
• Forum Shopping in Federal Court – the Urban Legend of Divisional Venue
• In High-Stakes Business Litigation, All-or-Nothing Approach in Complaint Leaves Directors with Nothing
• On the Cutting Edge of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act: 2019 Legislative Changes and Updates
• Litigating Through Layers of Insurance
• Business Has Standing to Challenge State Restriction by Alleging it Unconstitutionally Interferes with Commerce

Publications