James F. Bates, Esq.
jamie@batesatty.com
James ("Jamie") F. Bates' practice focuses on real estate, business planning, securities, and taxation. He advises small to medium size businesses on issues related to land development, finance, business planning, private stock placement, merger and acquisitions and tax planning.
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Bates owned and operated his own land development company in Northwest Florida. His company primarily developed residential condominium projects along Florida's Gulf Coast. Mr. Bates' experience as a small business owner and a land developer plays an important role in the representation of clients as he understands, from a first-hand experience, the obstacles and challenges faced by most small business owners and land development companies.
After relocating to Colorado, he served as Vice President of Operations for a land development company that builds and operates hotel properties in Colorado, California, and Oregon.
Mr. Bates is a native of DeFuniak Springs, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from The Florida State University in 1997, and his Juris Doctor degree from The University of Denver in 2003. Mr. Bates is licensed to practice in the State of Colorado and in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.
Mr. Bates is also a licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker and provides real estate brokerage services to the clients of Byrne Realty Advisors, LLC.
Jamie enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf and is an avid fan of the Florida State Seminoles.
Doddridge C. Shelby, Esq. - Of Counsel
dcshelby@msn.com
Doddridge ("Dodge") C. Shelby brings over twenty years of experience in civil litigation including practice in the areas of commercial litigation, real estate, employment law, family law and probate to The Bates Law Firm.
Mr. Shelby’s diverse practice has involved representation of clients in matters ranging from dissolutions to representation of a Colorado county in litigation in state and federal courts in successful efforts to preserve the county’s ability to regulate oil and gas development.
Mr. Shelby earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California in 1982 and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1985. Mr. Shelby was admitted to the practice of law in California in 1985 and in Colorado in 1997. Mr. Shelby is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Mr. Shelby served as County Attorney for Las Animas County, Colorado from January, 1999 through September, 2001.
Mr. Shelby’s current practice emphasizes representation of individuals and businesses in litigation as well as the representation of governmental entities.
In addition to his association with The Bates Law Firm, Mr. Shelby maintains his own legal practice with offices in Denver.
Walter Bradley, Esq. - Of Counsel
bradleylawfirm@msn.com
Walter F. Bradley has fourteen years of experience helping clients with legal issues involving bankruptcy, family law, construction law, simple estate planning and civil litigation.
Mr. Bradley is a native of Denver, Colorado. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Colorado State University in 1984. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Bradley was a newspaper reporter and editor. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Denver College of Law in 1993.
Mr. Bradley was admitted to the practice of law in Colorado in 1994. He is also admitted to practice law in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.
Mr. Bradley’s current practice focuses on the representation of individuals and businesses and assisting them with bankruptcy, family law and construction law matters. In addition to his association with The Bates Law Firm, Mr. Bradley maintains his own legal practice in Westminster, Colorado.
Pam Smelker - Legal Assistant
pam@batesatty.com
Pam Smelker serves as Legal Assistant to the attorneys of The Bates Law Firm. In addition, Mrs. Smelker serves as Assistant to Mike Byrne of Byrne Realty Advisors.
Pam is a native of Lawrence, Nebraska, but has lived in the Denver area for over 20 years. Prior to joining The Bates Law Firm, Mrs. Smelker worked with Wiens Capital Management. For nineteen years prior to joining Wiens Capital Management, Mrs. Smelker worked for Sun Microsystems in a variety of sales and marketing positions, spending the last four years as a Customer Advocate Program Manager. .
In her spare time, Pam enjoys spending time with family and gardening.
Patty Bates - Director of Marketing
patty@batesatty.com
Patty Bates brings over 15 years of sales and marketing experience to The Bates Law Firm. Patty is very involved in the community and directs many operations related to The Bates Foundation.
Patty is a native of Seagrove Beach, Florida where she began her sales career working for Seaside Associated Stores, Inc. Mrs. Bates owns her own marketing company where she assists various types of businesses in customer development and retention.
Patty is a graduate of The University of Colorado with a degree in Sociology.
Mrs. Bates enjoys spending time with her family and friends and is a member of the "Ladies Nine-Hole Golf Club" at The Ranch Country Club.