Devin Bates

Practice Areas

Devin Bates is a strategic litigator and trusted advisor who successfully represents plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts across Arkansas. As a trial lawyer, he has extensive experience in complex business disputes with a particular emphasis on unfair competition litigation, including trade secrets, non-compete agreements, trademark, and copyright matters. Devin has a proven track record in litigating high-profile and bet-the-company matters encompassing issues such as breach of duty, defamation, securities fraud, constitutional claims and conflicts involving governmental agencies and administrative proceedings. He represents clients ranging from publicly traded companies to small businesses to individual investors, corporate directors and celebrities. Leveraging his diverse background in litigation, Devin remains at the forefront of emerging technologies in the legal landscape, regularly speaking and writing thought leadership on the ethics, risks and best practices associated with the use of generative AI platforms. Prior to joining the firm, Devin served as a law clerk to Chief U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes, III.

Work Highlights

Achieved favorable seven figure settlement for client, successfully resolving three related business cases against common defendants who had breached their fiduciary duties and engaged in unfair competition.

Obtained vindication for client whose businesses and freedoms were imperiled by an overly aggressive litigant and their counsel, prevailing in a preliminary injunction hearing involving allegations of trade secret theft and non-compete violations.

Successfully prosecuted violation of non-compete agreement in international arbitration stretching across three countries in two continents.

Represented one of Arkansas’ largest school districts as lead counsel in three-week federal court trial, ultimately prevailing on three-quarters of the constitutional issues resulting in partial resolution of 38-year-old case.

Defended client in highly contested fraud case, ultimately forcing the voluntary dismissal of the client immediately prior to trial.

Led the expert workup of a seven-figure products liability action for a multinational Fortune 100 manufacturer, significantly undercutting plaintiff’s theory of causation and resulting in an extremely favorable five-figure settlement.

Defeated allegations of fraud and mismanagement brought against non-profit organization by state agency in administrative proceeding, resulting in complete dismissal of action.

As lead counsel, obtained dismissal with prejudice on a dispositive motion for client in a complex, multi-party dispute over rare ancient artifacts

Achieved pre-trial dismissal for national financial and administrative services company client in a class action involving alleged constitutional violations prior to certification of a proposed class.