Andre Y. Bates graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law where he was named a Milken Foundation Scholar. He received his B.A. from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. A seasoned litigator and trial attorney with large national law firm experience, Mr. Bates has represented medium to large businesses and public entities in complex commercial, tort, labor and employment, and governmental regulation related litigation matters. His extensive commercial experience includes litigating breach of contract, breach of warranty, contract interpretation, piercing the corporate veil, misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud and unfair business practices. Mr. Bates has successfully tried cases to verdict in state and federal district court including obtaining a defense verdict for a large national corporation in the jury trial of a fraud and breach of contract case where plaintiff sought $14 million in compensatory damages. He has also briefed and argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the California Courts of Appeal.
Mr. Bates also represents large public entities in the defense of complex tort claims. He was a member of a trial team that achieved a complete defense verdict after a five-week jury trial in a difficult and sensitive complex tort matter where five plaintiffs sought $25 million in damages.
In labor and employment, Mr. Bates has substantial experience in class actions, particularly lawsuits involving the increasingly complicated distinction between employees and independent contractors.
Mr. Bates began his legal career at the Los Angeles office of Morgan Lewis, where he successfully represented many Fortune 500 clients in various types of commercial litigation matters pending in state and federal court and before administrative agencies. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Bates served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. The highlight of his service was a tour of duty as the Navigation Officer of a guided missile frigate during a deployment where the ship circumnavigated the globe.