Luke, Josh, and Zach's Dad.

My name is Robert Bates and I am a PROUD DAD and husband. I am a God fearing Man, who grew up with dirt under my fingernails and never backing down from a fight. I grew up the son of a cattle farmer.  I learned the value of hard work and what it’s like to be the little man.  That’s why I fight.  I enjoy the fight.  I see myself and my family in the good people I represent.  I am honored to earn their trust and I do not take it for granted. 

I LOVE WHAT I DO.

In 2019, I left a large law office where I practiced for over a decade. I wanted to be closer to my family, and I needed to shift the way I practiced law. I will always be proud and thankful that over 24 clients chose follow me to my new office in Kingsport. I believe the Good Lord helped me in the move, because before I could unpack my boxes, a jury had returned the "550 in 5 minutes" verdict. The Jury decided in 5 minutes that my client deserved $550,000 for a slip and fall injury to his shoulder. 

Before I left the bigger office, I won hundreds of cases. Car accidents, truck wrecks, motorcycle wrecks, bicycle wrecks, Workers' Compensation, Social Security Disability, Bad Products, Slip and Falls, etc. 

Some of the more notable cases included: $4 million in a truck wreck case, $2.6 million in a slip and fall trial, $3 million in a head on car wreck, $2 million in a mesothelioma case, and one of the 5 largest workers' compensation verdicts in Tennessee history. Since I opened, the Lord has continue to bless me with more success, even in the face of a global pandemic.

I've learned along the way that the victories always take a backseat to the connections I've made with my clients.

I'm not one of those lawyers who beg you to call them, and then hand you off to someone else. I don't ask you to talk to me, only for me not to return your call. I don't practice "happy law." I don't represent lottery winners or big sports stars, and I darn sure don't represent insurance companies. I have never represented a single client who has wanted to be injured or disabled. I discount my fees for police and military and I represent the Police Union.

I played baseball and football in High School and College, and I woke up before sunrise to work on the farm. I worked two jobs in college until I graduated and received a full scholarship to attend law school in Grundy, Virginia.  I met my beautiful wife, Ashley, while we were in Grundy while she was attending Pharmacy School. I graduated near the top of my class in law school and served on Moot Court and Law Review.  

I studied from one of the best brain doctors in the country and developed a specialty in brain and head injuries, spine injuries, as well as injuries to children. I use cutting edge technology and graphics in ways that few other lawyers can. I have transformed cases that other lawyers didn't want to spend their time on into nearly seven figure settlements.  

I teach other lawyers across the country some of the trial techniques I've learned.   I've been recognized nationally as National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40 and most recently appointed as lifetime member in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a select group of lawyers who have achieved some of the highest results for their clients.  

But, none of the success really matters if your lawyer doesn't really give a hoot about you. Lawyers all too often forget that we're no better than the folks we represent. I was born and raised on a cattle farm in a small town, and it's that same small town fighting spirit that makes me as good as I am.

Above all, I am a PROUD DAD.

My family  is my motivation to fight for every client.  

I see myself in every injured client.

I see my wife in every client’s spouse and family member.

I see my sons in every injured child.

It's because of them that I will be proud to fight for you.