Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.7 /5.0
22 Client Reviews
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Thomas Michael Bates
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About Thomas
Biography
Board-certified civil trial lawyer who has been practicing law for over 32 years. Admitted to practice in Massachusetts (1988) and in Florida (1990). "AV" pre-eminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating available from the nation's oldest guide to the legal profession for legal ability and ethical standards. Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates ("ABOTA") and its Palm Beach chapter.
Board-certified by the Florida Bar since 2001 as a specialist in civil trial law. Recertified in 2006, 2011 and 2016. Certification is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in the areas of law approved for certification by the Supreme Court of Florida. "Civil trial" is the field of law that addresses litigation of civil controversies in all areas of substantive law before state and federal courts, administrative agencies and arbitrators.
Less than 1% of Florida's 107,000 lawyers are board-certified in civil trial law.
As a board-certified civil trial lawyer I have the experience and expertise to handle any type of civil matter from start to finish up to and including trial. My practice, however, is devoted primarily to the following type of cases: business disputes; personal injury/wrongful death; insurance litigation; and, will & trust litigation.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Litigation
50%
37 years
Personal Injury
50%
37 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 300-450 per hour
Contingency
33%-40%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2018
2012
Licenses
Licensed in Florida for 35 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
Licensed in Massachusetts for 37 years
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 1988
No misconduct found
Location
Thomas M. Bates, P.A.
(561) 475-1332
Mobile
(561) 207-7792
Fax
1645 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., 10th Fl - Suite 1000, West Palm Beach, FL, 33401
westpalmbeachtriallawyer.comOnline Presence
Other places you can find Thomas online.
Thomas Michael Bates's Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 11 - 15 of 15 reviews
Posted by James | July 17, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Board Certified Trial lawyer is a must !!!
I had the unfortunate reason to hire a lawyer for a case in Florida. After some research and high praise from other lawyers I selected Thomas Bates based on his Board Certified Trial experience. He also had over 25 years in the business and was well know by the law enforcement community. My case wa...
Posted by anonymous | June 19, 2008 | Insurance
Client Review
Tom Bates is one of those rare attorneys who not only gets results for his clients, but also genuinely cares about them. Tom fought a major insurance company on behalf of my family and got results quickly. After our case was settled, he continued helping us settle any minor problems that came along...
Posted by anonymous | May 01, 2008
Client Review
An excellent lawyer.
Posted by anonymous | August 24, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
Injured for life, and this attorney never had any MRIS taken of my spine, now totally disabled, w/ 10 desiccated disc in spine
Unfortunately this attorney was a recommendation from a good friend, this Tom Bates didn't do the job that needed to be done, now I'm completely disabled on high dose pain meds, Injured for life, should have got millions, or close to it, if this attorney would have looked at my entire back, cervical ...
Thomas Bates
Replied last August 24, 2017I respectfully disagree with my client’s position here, but confidentiality rules prohibit me from responding in any other way.
Posted by Jill | August 24, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Litigation
Disappointing
We retained this attorney at the end of a two-year civil litigation case. We agreed to a four month, flat fee payment plan. He never told us that he would do no forward effort on our case until all payments were made, so, he spent four months "getting up to speed" on a very straight forward, unevent...
Thomas Bates
Replied last August 24, 2017I respectfully disagree with my client’s position here, but confidentiality rules prohibit me from responding in any other way.
Thomas Michael Bates's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have known Tom for many years as a well-respected member of the legal community. When a commercial litigation situation arose in a case I was handling that a required another lawyer to represent one of the parties, I recommended Tom as the go-to lawyer. He did an excellent job representing the client and she was very satisfied. He is extremely intelligent, hard-working, personable, and an extraordinary advocate for his clients. He is one of the finest trial attorneys in this area and I would unhesitatingly recommend him."
"I endorse Thomas. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. A brilliant and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Tom and worked with him at various times for at least 10 years. He is the quintessential lawyer. Ethical, reliable, aggressive, detailed and thorough. I recommend him without reservation."
"I endorse this lawyer. His posts demonstrate his deep understanding of complex legal issues. His answers are always thoughtful, accurate, and they evidence his genuine interest in helping people."
"I endorse Mr. Bates. As evidenced by the number of questions he has answered on Avvo, he has a great understanding of the law. One can deduce through his many work experiences that he is a stellar attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. Provides quality answers and knowledge to Avvo community"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. He is a fine lawyer, well respected in the legal community."
William Bone
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Heather Ruda
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Lawrence Brownstein
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Christian Lassen
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Patrick Cousins
Lemon law lawyer
Experience
Honors
2019
AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Re-certified as a specialist in civil trial law, Florida Board of Legal Specialization & Education
2011
Re-certified as a specialist in civil trial law, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization & Education
2011
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell
2006
Re-certified as a specialist in civil trial law, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education
2001
Certified as a civil trial specialist, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization & Education
Work Experience
1999 - Present
Managing Partner, Thomas M. Bates, P.A.
1995 - 1999
Attorney, Rigell, Leal & Ring
1990 - 1995
Attorney, Gaunt, Pratt & Radford
1989 - 1990
Attorney, Arthur E. Levine & Associates
1988 - 1989
Attorney, Murphy & Beane
Associations
1990 - Present
Palm Beach County Bar AssociationMember
1990 - Present
The Florida BarMember
1989 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
1988 - Present
Massachusetts Bar AssociationMember
2010 - 2015
Florida Bar - Judicial Administration and Evaluation CommitteeMember
Education
1988
New England Law | Boston
Juris Doctorate
1980
Boston College
Bachelor of Arts in English/Political Science
Speaking Engagements
2012
Handling The Police Liability Claim
Overview of Federal Law and Common Liability Elements Between State and Federal Law
2008
Property Damage Insurance Law in Florida
Property Damage Insurance Law
2008
Obtaining the Best Settlement for Personal Injury Clientws
Settling Personal Injury Claims With Ethical Integrity
Publications
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
Jury Duty
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
Attorney's Fees
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
Automobile Insurance
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
Probate & Trust Litigation
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
Personal Jurisdiction - Out-of-State Defendant Getting Sued in Florida
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
False arrest/false imprisonment by law enforcement officers
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
False arrest/false imprisonment by store merchant
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
Obtaining payment on a worthless check
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
Overview of a Personal Injury Lawsuit – Part I
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
Overview of Personal Injury Lawsuit – Part II – Investigation of Merits of Case
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
Texting While Driving
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
Overview of a Personal Injury Lawsuit - Part III - Pre-Suit Settlement Process
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
Overview of Personal Injury Lawsuit – Part IV – Filing The Lawsuit
2013
Palm Beach County Law Blog
Overview of Personal Injury Lawsuit – Part V – The Litigation Process
Activity
Legal Answers
Top Contributor
Thomas earned significant contribution points in 2012.
Legal Answers
Q&A
How long does a Florida defendant have to answer an amended complaint (civil)?
14 Jul 2018
Q&A
In Broward county florida, is a subpoena properly served if it was thu the U.S. mail and not in person?
17 Oct 2014
Q&A
What does an attorney demand letter cost in Florida?
14 Jul 2014