Member
Jeffersonville Office Executive Member

Douglas B. Bates

Doug Bates is an experienced trial lawyer who has been with the firm since 1992. He appears in state and federal courts throughout Indiana and Kentucky and has argued both before the Indiana Court of Appeals and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Bates regularly defends aviation clients, including airlines, major municipal airports, product manufacturers, aircraft mechanics and fixed base operators, and is often asked to speak at national aviation-related seminars. Mr. Bates also represents clients in product liability litigation, nursing home litigation, lender liability litigation and complex business litigation matters. He also represents several insurance clients with respect to coverage disputes.

Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

Law firms keep focus on clients as changes continue

by Marilyn Odendahl, The Indiana Lawyer, January 20, 2021

Federal Rule 26(a)(2) Expert Witness Disclosures: Strategies for Composing and Attacking Expert Disclosures

51st Annual SMU Air Law Symposium, Irving, TX, March 30, 2017

Recent Developments in Aviation Case Law

SlideShare Presentation

Food Law Update

Stites & Harbison Thirsty Thursday, Food Safety Modernization Act, March 26, 2011

The Basics of Electronic Discovery

Sherman Minton Inns of Courts, April 22, 2010

Yer Out! Getting Rid of Your Trial Judge in Indiana and Kentucky

Sherman Minton Inn of Courts, February 24, 2009
Recent Assignments
Bar Admissions
Indiana
Kentucky
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
Firm Leadership

Office Executive Member, Jeffersonville, IN Office

Retirement Plan Committee, Member

Jeffersonville Office Recruiting Committee, Member (ex officio)

Lateral Recruiting Committee, Member

Memberships
American Bar Association
Indiana Bar Association
Clark County Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
Community Involvement

Jeffersonville Rotary

Boy Scouts (Troop Leader)

Junior Achievement

Leadership Southern Indiana

Southern Indiana Legal Volunteers

Education
More Than Stites & Harbison

Mr. Bates enjoys playing guitar with his sons and spending time at the family farm in Indiana. He is Past President of the Indiana University Southeast Alumni Association and was presented the Indiana University Alumni Association's President's Award (2010). Mr. Bates is active with the Boy Scouts of America and Leadership Southern Indiana. Doug was an intern for Magistrate-Judge Kenneth Foster, United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

Accolades

Best Lawyers in America®, Aviation Law; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2024-25)

Bates Best Lawyers 2025
See more related to Douglas B. Bates
Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2025 Best Lawyers® Publications

Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 97 of its lawyers are included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence according to the publication. Additionally, 12 Stites & Harbison attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 30 attorneys are recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 16, 2024
Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® Publications

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 101 of its lawyers are included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 24, 2023
Press Releases

Doug Bates named Office Executive Member of Stites & Harbison's Jeffersonville office

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Doug Bates has been named Office Executive Member for the Jeffersonville, Ind., office. He succeeds attorney Allen Morris, who successfully served in that capacity for 12 years. As the...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC January 15, 2016
Press Releases

Attorney Doug Bates honored as Distinguished Alumni at Indiana University Southeast

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Indiana University (IU) Southeast recently honored attorney Doug Bates of Stites & Harbison, PLLC with the Distinguished Alumni Award. The university honors one Distinguished Alumni per year for outstanding contributions to the community...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC April 21, 2014