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 Last week the Bates’ spent a little bit of time talking about the
law practice, its history, and its future.
Blinn will continue running the firm as the third generation Bates
to practice law in Lincoln and Logan County. For the younger Bates,
this is not a new position, as he and dad Bill have been working
together in the law firm for the past few years.
In talking about the succession, Bill commented, “There was some
feeling in the community with my retirement that this firm would
cease to exist, and that is not true. Blinn is not leaving. He is
carrying on the practice of Woods and Bates. I want the public to be
aware that even though I am retiring, this firm is continuing, their
files are here, there is an attorney here to take care of their
legal needs. Woods and Bates is going to continue.”
Woods and Bates began a number of years ago as two individual law
practices in the city of Lincoln. The two firms offered the services
not only of their namesakes, Robert J. Woods and William C. Bates,
but also several other well-known local attorneys as well.
In 1972, the two attorneys created a partnership law firm and set up
practice on Clinton Street. Other members of the firm during those
early years included Dick H. Woods, Robert’s nephew, and Gerald
Dehner.
In 1978, the second generation Bill Bates graduated from law school
and returned to Lincoln with his wife Lauri where he went to work in
the law office of his father and Robert Woods. In 1981, Bill became
a partner in the firm. The senior Bates retired in 1985, and the
partnership became Bill and Mr. Woods.
Bill Bates and Robert Woods continued on in the law partnership
until Robert Woods death in 1998.
During Bill’s career, he has concentrated on estate, trust, and real
estate law. He explained that all attorneys are educated in all
factions of law. There is an ethical code that says an attorney
cannot specify an area of expertise. But, at the same time, through
their practices they develop a concentration of work.
Bill said he was pleased with the direction his career had taken. It
is an area where he feels he is offering a very important service to
people who are sometimes devoid of knowledge of what to do when
dealing with an estate. “The thing I will remember the most will be
the years that I was able to help people who had problems. Being
able to be someone who is knowledgeable in those things in a time of
obvious stress for a family is something I was always happy to be
able to do. It was just rewarding to be able to help someone.”
Throughout his career, helping others has been reflected in all that
he does. He noted that Robert Woods and his wife Joan Jarrett Woods
formed the Woods Foundation shortly before Robert’s death. Bill was
involved in that foundation from its inception. Joan continued on
with the foundation and served on the board for about five years
after Robert’s passing. Today the foundation is managed by a four
member board that includes Bill, son Blinn, and the father son duo
of Dave and Chris Golwitzer.
Bill said that being a part of the Woods Foundation has been a very
important part of his life. He noted that the Woods’ were generous
people who chose to share their wealth with the community they
loved. Bill shares their vision. He noted the foundation has
supported numerous local charities, schools, and other
organizations. “The availability of those funds have helped so many
people in so many areas. It is all just extremely humbling to see
Mr. and Mrs. Woods finances and wealth be able to be used in that
fashion.”
In addition to his private practice, Bill also served as the
attorney representing the city of Lincoln for several years. He said
that time with the city was very worthwhile, and there were some
large events he was able to be involved in that he found very
gratifying. He noted in particular helping with the Sysco venture
and working to represent the city in bringing that large company
into the community. “One of the things I worked the hardest and
longest on was the Sysco project,” He said. “That was something that
was very involved. There was a lot of legal work behind the scenes,
and not just me, there were other attorneys involved too.”
In addition, he said the negotiations to get the Wal-Mart Super
Center in town was a big challenge. “Wal-Mart stands out as
difficult and very involved because they are the 'Big Boys' and they
play by their rules.”
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Bill represented the city of Lincoln from 2001-02 through 2013, when
he stepped down, and Blinn filled that position as a representative
for the city.
In talking about his career as an attorney, Bill Bates said that
growing up with a father who was an attorney did influence his
thoughts of becoming an attorney. However, one thing he admired
about his father, and practiced with his children Sarah and Blinn,
was that he never felt pressured into becoming an attorney.
Bill said, he too avoided trying to influence his kids’ career
choices. Blinn commented that growing up, he didn't consider being
an attorney. He was in college and still undecided on a career, but
eventually he came to the conclusion that law was what he wanted to
do.
Bill laughed and said in actuality it was daughter Sarah who
initially spoke of being the next generation Bates attorney. For
Blinn and Sarah, their visions changed after they reached college.
Bill said that Sarah took some classes in college and found that she
had a keener interest in business. She ended up focusing her studies
on business, earned her MBA and now works in Kansas City.
In talking about their choices to return to Logan County after
college, both Bill and Blinn have similar views.
Bill commented that Lincoln and Logan County were home. His wife
Lauri haled from Kansas City, and had it not been for his father’s
firm, he might have considered going to her hometown. However, he
said Lauri acclimated well to Lincoln. She made several friends in
the Lincoln area prior to the couple even moving here, so
practically from day one Lincoln was as much “home” to Lauri as it
was to Bill. “She is very happy here and has been her whole life,”
he said.
Blinn said that coming home to practice law was a natural decision
for him as well. He noted that he knew he was coming home to a
reputable law firm, but he was also coming home to a lifestyle that
he appreciates.
So, what does a retired Bill Bates look like? First of all, Bill
said he wasn’t sure he would ever be completely absent from the
firm. He recalled that when his dad retired, the senior Bates was
still accessible and that Bill took advantage of that. He said he
plans to always be available to Blinn as needed. The comment was
made that history and understanding of cases are something that the
father attorney can pass on to the son attorney and keep the quality
of services to the clients at an optimum.
He added that there is a vacation home where he and Lauri enjoy
spending time, and there may be more trips there in the future.
There will also be a “lot more golf” and a little bit of fishing.
In addition, there is going to be a lot more ‘grandpa” time. Blinn
and wife Julie have a three-year-old son, Collin.
He noted that Julie's family is in Wyoming, but by coincidence, her
parents purchased a vacation home in the same area as the Bates'. He
envisions more time spent there with Collin being able to enjoy the
attention of all of his grandparents.
Finally, Bill said he would be around. He plans to stay involved
with the Woods Foundation for the immediate future at least and is
on the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Board.
LDN would like to wish Bill Bates a happy retirement, and to Blinn,
congratulations and best wishes for the future of Woods and Bates.
[Nila Smith] |
