Mr. Cates is a litigator who practices in the areas of medical malpractice defense, healthcare, commercial litigation, personal injury, construction defect, and insurance bad faith.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Cates served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Susan R. Bolton of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and to the Honorable Noel Fidel of the Arizona Court of Appeals. During law school, Mr. Cates served as an extern for the Honorable Thomas C. Kleinschmidt of the Arizona Court of Appeals.
Representative Engagements
- Represented doctors in jury trials resulting in defense verdicts
- Represented HMOs and group insurers in breach of contract, rescission and bad faith actions
- Represented automobile and property insurers in coverage and bad faith actions
- Represented architects, engineers, contractors and attorneys in construction law and professional malpractice lawsuits
- Represented motorcycle dealership in accident-related cases
- Handled various insurance bad faith, insurance coverage, legal malpractice and commercial litigation cases before federal and state courts of appeals
- Represented healthcare professionals before state licensing boards including the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, the Arizona Board of Medical Examiners, and the Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board
- Represented real estate professionals before the Arizona Association of Realtors
Community Activities
Waste Not
Board of Directors, 2009-present
Bowdoin Alumni Schools and Interviewing Committee
Volunteer Member
Valley of the Sun Kiwanis Club
Former Member
Professional Affiliations
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Maricopa County Bar Association
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Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
Board of Directors
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American Bar Association
Litigation Section
, Member
Admitted to Practice
Court Admission
- U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2004
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 2004
Education
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J.D.
, Arizona State University College of Law
, 1999
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B.A.
, Bowdoin College
, Geology, 1996
