James S. Gates

James S. (Jim) Gates, born in Shreveport and raised in Benton, Louisiana, attended Louisiana State University, graduating with a B.S. degree in 1981. Jim then attended LSU Law Center, graduating in 1985. While in law school, Jim won the American Jurisprudence Award for Excellence in Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties. He served as vice chairman of the Moot Court Board, and clerked for the East Baton Rouge parish district attorney's office and in the Louisiana legislature. Jim began his law practice in 1985 and has since devoted his practice to litigation. His practice consists primarily of representing injured people in auto, maritime and industrial accidents throughout St. Landry, Lafayette and East Baton Rouge parishes. Jim is admitted to practice in Louisiana's state courts, the eastern, western and middle districts of Louisiana in federal court, and before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. He has extensive trial and appellate experience, having tried and argued jury trials and appeals in Louisiana, Texas and federal courts. Jim has served the legal profession in various positions, including chairman of the Duhe American Inn of Court and presently as delegate to the House of Delegates to the Louisiana State Bar Association. He is a member of the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association (Auto Torts and Maritime sections) and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Jim has served for years on the board of trustees of the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau, Louisiana, and is active in his church, having been chairman of the administrative board and stewardship chairman of the finance committee of Louisiana Memorial Methodist Church. Jim and his wife, Cindy, are parents of two daughters, Rachel and Mollie, who are students at LSU.

• Attorney

• Louisiana, 1985
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana
• U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana
• U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit

• Louisiana State Bar Association
• Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association (Auto Torts and Maritime sections) (Member)
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Member)