Biography

Attorney David Cates is a seasoned trial lawyer who focuses his practice on nationally-recognized complex personal injury cases, including class action and mass torts lawsuits, as well as employment discrimination and civil rights cases. David is a founding principal in the law firm of The Cates Law Firm, LLC., located in Swansea, Illinois. We proudly serve individuals and families across Southern Illinois and the Metro East region, from St. Louis to the Indiana border, including the communities of Belleville, Carbondale, East St. Louis, Granite City, Edwardsville, Chester, Waterloo, Madison County, St. Clair County, Monroe County, and Randolph County.

David prides himself in preparing every case for trial, and his excellence in the courtroom has already allowed him recognition among his peers as a member of the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers since 2014. He has also been named as a Rising Star among the Illinois Super Lawyers.

David was a member of the trial team that orchestrated a record-breaking $95 million dollar verdict against Aaron’s Rents for their corporate discrimination against a female employee. Additionally, David has litigated numerous cases earning millions of dollars in awards for his clients.

David received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and was awarded his juris doctor from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. While in law school, David interned with one of the preeminent law firms in Chicago, preparing for work as a trial lawyer.

After graduation from the Loyola School of Law, David joined his mother, Judy Cates, now a Justice on the Fifth District Appellate Court of Illinois, and later became a partner in The Cates Law Firm. Initially, David represented clients in work-related accidents, product liability lawsuits, medical negligence litigation, and employer-employee civil rights actions. He also served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for both St. Clair County and Hamilton County, Illinois.

In December 2012, David took over the Cates Law Firm, which continues, to this date, representing workers and their families. David is a strong proponent of union rights, including the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. David seeks to protect the rights of all families from deception and fraud used by corporate America to deceive families who have too little already, and who do not deserve to be injured through corporate greed.

Education

  • Loyola University Law School, Juris Doctor
  • Vanderbilt University

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Kentucky
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois

Professional Memberships

  • Board of Managers, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
  • State Delegate, American Association of Justice
  • State Coordinator for Illinois, Public Justice consumer advocacy group
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Kentucky Bar Association
  • St. Clair County Bar Association
  • Madison County Bar Association
  • East St. Louis Bar Association