Katie Bates - Hinesville, GA

Katie R. Bates was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 2009 and practices in the areas of family law, criminal law, personal injury, corporate law, and general civil litigation. She has extensive experience representing clients in cases involving divorce, custody, child support, motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and corporate contract disputes.

Prior to attending law school Mrs. Bates worked as a social worker for the Department of Family and Children Services as well as an investigator and for Safeco Insurance Company as a claims adjuster. Both positions served to provide her with a unique insight into the workings of the civil and criminal court systems. Her tenure as an insurance adjuster especially provided her with firsthand experience in understanding how insurance companies operate including the means by which many companies push inequitable settlements on unrepresented people.

Her father, now a retired full bird Colonel in United States Air Force, was a fighter pilot stationed aboard when she was born. At only six weeks old she made her first trans-Atlantic flight and she’s loved traveling the world ever since. Her personal experience navigating the complexities of military life gives her a deeper understanding of the many legal issues that impact military families.

Mrs. Bates has written and lectured on family law topics relating to adoption and juvenile law. She taught as an adjunct professor of Juvenile Law at the former Savannah Law School- Savannah, Georgia, and during law school published an article for the John Marshall Law Journal: Adoption- How Protecting Privacy Protects the Best Interest of Children, 2009. She earned her J.D. in 2009, graduating Cum Laude from John Marshall Law School- Atlanta, Georgia, where she was Salutatorian, named the Outstanding Graduate by the faculty, and was appointed as a Dean’s Fellow. She earned a B.A. with a double major for Anthropology and Sociology from Georgia State University graduating Summa Cum Laude, in 2004. While at Georgia State University she was named to the National Dean’s List, named Faculty Scholar, as well as receiving several other academic honors.

Mrs. Bates is married to Lt. James “Corey” Bates, with the Ft. Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Fire Department. They, along with their children reside in McIntosh County, Georgia.

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS: Atlantic Judicial Circuit Family Treatment Court Children’s Attorney