Phelps Continues Strategic Growth with Addition of Veteran Creditors’ Rights Partner in Florida
PENSACOLA, Fla. – May 20, 2026 – Phelps welcomes a new partner, Douglas Bates to the firm’s Pensacola office to lead clients in bankruptcy and creditors’ rights cases and complex business litigation. His courtroom experience and trial advocacy spans two decades and deepens Phelps’ existing capabilities in bankruptcy and insolvency law across the firm’s Gulf South footprint.
“Doug is an outstanding lawyer and a leader in our community” said Bill Mitchem, Phelps’ Pensacola office managing partner. “We’ve known Doug for many years and we are very fortunate to have him join our firm. He strengthens our bench as we expand our commercial litigation and creditor’s rights practices to support clients in northwest Florida and across the region from Mobile to Tampa.”
A Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, Doug focuses on bankruptcy and creditors’ rights matters. He also counsels clients in a wide range of business litigation matters, with a deep background in shareholder disputes and business divorces. Doug has extensive involvement in The Florida Bar’s Business Law Section, where he has led several committees, and served as Chair of the Section in 2022-2023, supporting its lawyers throughout the state.
“I’ve admired Phelps’ vibrant culture and have long known about the firm’s great reputation. I’m honored to join this excellent group of lawyers in this growing firm,” said Doug Bates. “The firm’s platform supports my work advising individuals and companies in Pensacola and across the Gulf South on insolvency matters and distressed business situations.”
He joins Phelps one year after the firm expanded its Florida presence into Pensacola through a combination with Beggs & Lane, the oldest law firm in the city.
A Pensacola native, Doug is a longtime member of the Pensacola State College Foundation and served as President of the foundation’s Board of Governors. He also served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Pensacola Sports Association.
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Phelps is an AmLaw-ranked firm whose collaborative strategies help clients thrive. We deliver practical, business-minded solutions to clients with interests in admiralty, business, health care, insurance, labor and employment, and litigation. Our more than 450 lawyers work in tandem to share forward-thinking approaches for businesses in the global economy. Phelps’ reputation is rooted in 150 years of legal excellence, and we reimagine it every day from our 18 locations across the Gulf South, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and the London Market. Learn more at phelps.com.
