Atty. David Matthew Bates

Atty. David Matthew Bates

Mr. David Matthew Bates is a lawyer practicing litigation, environmental, construction and 5 other areas of law.

Houston Houston 45 yrs experience 45 year
Call (361) 585-1757 Book Appointment

Construction & More Attorney · Serving Houston, TX · 45+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About David Matthew Bates at a Glance

David Matthew Bates is a Partner based in Houston, Texas, practicing at Foley & Lardner LLP. They have 45+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1981. Their practice focuses on business, ip, class action, litigation, and environmental. Admitted to practice in Texas Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals (1981) and Colorado (1988). Educated at Northwestern University School of Law (J.D., 1981) and Knox College (B.A., 1978). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Houston and American Bar Associations State Bar of Texas Texas Bar Foundation Houston Bar Foundation. Serves clients in Houston, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated November 2026

About David Matthew Bates

  • Mr. David Matthew Bates is a lawyer practicing litigation, environmental, construction and 5 other areas of law
  • David received a B.A. degree from Knox College in 1978, and has been licensed for 45 years
  • David practices at Foley & Lardner LLP in Houston, TX

Practice Areas Explained

David Matthew Bates's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David Matthew Bates handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Houston.

Business & Corporate Law in Houston

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

David Matthew Bates is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Texas →

Intellectual Property in Houston

IP attorneys protect inventions, brands, and creative work through patent prosecution, trademark registration, copyright, and trade-secret enforcement.

David Matthew Bates is one of 105,285 ip attorneys indexed nationally. Browse ip attorneys in Texas →

Class Action in Houston

David Matthew Bates is one of 26,226 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in Texas →

Civil Litigation in Houston

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

David Matthew Bates is one of 450,750 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Texas →

Environmental Law in Houston

Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.

David Matthew Bates is one of 55,977 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in Texas →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Houston

Practicing law in Texas. Legal matters in Texas are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Houston are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Texas state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Texas brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Texas courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Houston Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Houston-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Houston or all attorneys in Texas.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About David Matthew Bates

Where is David Matthew Bates's law office located?
David Matthew Bates's law practice is located in Houston, Texas. The firm is Foley & Lardner LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does David Matthew Bates handle?
David Matthew Bates focuses on business, ip, class action, litigation, environmental. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Texas.
How long has David Matthew Bates practiced law?
David Matthew Bates has 45+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1981.
Where did David Matthew Bates go to law school?
David Matthew Bates earned their education at (J.D., 1981); (B.A., 1978).
How can I contact David Matthew Bates for a consultation?
You can contact David Matthew Bates directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has David Matthew Bates received?
David Matthew Bates's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Houston Choose David Matthew Bates

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish David Matthew Bates's practice in the field of business, ip, class action, litigation, and environmental.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

David Matthew Bates brings 45+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in Texas Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and Colorado, David Matthew Bates can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering business, ip, and class action, David Matthew Bates can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Houston

A Houston-based practice means David Matthew Bates attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues David Matthew Bates Handles in Houston

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters David Matthew Bates has experience with under Texas law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Business formation and structure
Business
Contract drafting and review
Business
Partnership disputes
Business
Merger and acquisition support
Business
Trademark registration
IP
Copyright infringement defense
IP
Patent prosecution
IP
Trade secret protection
IP

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact David Matthew Bates directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find David Matthew Bates Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Houston commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like David Matthew Bates.

David Matthew Bates attorney David Matthew Bates lawyer David Matthew Bates Houston David Matthew Bates Texas David Matthew Bates reviews David Matthew Bates contact Foley & Lardner LLP law firm business attorney in Houston business lawyer Houston best business attorney Houston top rated business lawyer near me business attorney Texas find a lawyer near me how to hire an attorney

If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with David Matthew Bates directly.

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
Northwestern University School of Law
- 1981
B.A.
Knox College
- 1978

Awards & Professional Honors

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

Texas Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
Admitted: 1981
Colorado
Admitted: 1988

Client Reviews & Ratings — David Matthew Bates

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