Andre Y. Bates is a litigation lawyer with extensive experience in complex commercial litigation. His practice comprises a number of different areas including general commercial litigation, real estate litigation, employment litigation, libel and defamation, environmental claims, and personal injury. Mr. Bates' commercial litigation experience has included handling cases involving breach of contract, breach of warranty, contract interpretation, piercing the corporate veil, misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud and unfair business practices.

To the firm's maritime practice, Mr. Bates brings the sophisticated knowledge and background of a 10 year Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy. Mr. Bates hands on working knowledge includes navigation, ship operation, seamanship, rules of the road, engineering, and vessel design. An avid recreational boater as well, his substantial knowledge of Southern California boating lends important background to the firm's maritime practice.

Mr. Bates has also successfully tried cases to verdict in state and federal district court including obtaining a defense verdict for a large national corporation in the jury trial of a fraud and breach of contract case where plaintiff sought $14 million in compensatory damages. He has also briefed and argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the California Courts of Appeal.

Prior to joining Marron & Associates, Mr. Bates practiced in the Litigation Sections of the Los Angeles offices of the national law firms Baker & Hostetler LLP and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Before attending and graduating from UCLA School of Law in 1995, Mr. Bates served on active duty for almost 10 years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy having graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD in 1982.

Mr. Bates is a member of the American and California Bar Associations.