Bates Elected Managing Lawyer for the Fifth Term at Hand Arendall Harrison Sale

Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC proudly announces the election of Roger Bates as the Managing Lawyer of the firm for an unprecedented fifth term commencing January 1, 2024. With more than a decade of dedicated service at the helm, Bates has been instrumental in guiding the firm through a period of remarkable growth, including its expansion into the vibrant legal landscape of Florida.

“The firm extends its heartfelt congratulations to Roger Bates on this well-deserved election and looks forward to continued success under his esteemed leadership,” said I. Ripon Britton, Birmingham Managing Lawyer.

“I am honored to have been re-elected by my peers to continue to serve as the leader for this great firm,” said Bates. “I look forward to continuing to implement my vision for growth and unmatched client service under my tenure.”

Bates brings to the role a wealth of experience in complex business and commercial litigation. His expertise encompasses a broad spectrum, ranging from business and contract disputes to labor and employment and healthcare related litigation. He is highly regarded for his representation of clients before state and federal regulatory agencies and his assistance in navigating governmental relations issues.

Bates has been a steadfast advocate for postsecondary educational institutions, providing legal counsel in litigation, compliance, and regulatory matters. He previously served as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the authoritative body for accrediting degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states.

Since 1995, Bates has held the position of a specially appointed Deputy Attorney General in Alabama, representing the State and various agencies in both state and federal courts. His legal knowledge also has been recognized through appointments as the City Attorney for the City of Hoover, Alabama, and the County Attorney for Chilton County, Alabama.

Active in community engagement, Bates is a notable figure in the Birmingham area community. He has served on numerous committees of the Birmingham Bar Association and has contributed to continuing legal education seminars as a lecturer on various legal topics. He also serves as General Counsel for the Alabama Pharmacy Association.

Bates is affiliated with the American Bar Association, specifically its State and Local Government Law and Litigation Sections. He is also a member of the American Health Lawyers Association and the Alabama Association of Municipal Attorneys. In recognition of his exemplary service to the legal community, Bates was named a Fellow of the Alabama Law Foundation in 2015.

Born in Clanton, Alabama, Bates earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University in 1979 and his Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law in 1982. During law school, he was awarded the Donald E. Corley Best Advocate Award, served on the National Mock Trial Team, and was an associate member of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy.

Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC is the result of a merger of two law firms in January 2018.The two firms, Hand Arendall LLC and Harrison Sale McCloy Attorneys at Law, merged which resulted in one of the largest regional law practices with offices along the coast of Northwest Florida and throughout the state of Alabama.  Since the start, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale has maintained a fundamental commitment to providing quality legal services.  Cases and projects are staffed with the goal of achieving success for the client with maximum efficiency.  With offices in Athens, Birmingham, Mobile, and Fairhope, Alabama; and Florida offices in Destin, Panama City, Panama City Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach, the firm is uniquely situated among the Southeast’s major law firms to provide legal direction to clients throughout Alabama, Northwest Florida, and Mississippi. Learn more at www.handfirm.com.