Keith Gates

I am an experienced lawyer and member of the Mississippi Bar offering 24 years of combined legal experience within state agencies and general practice.  I have tried more than 50 cases in federal and state courts, and I have a broad knowledge base concerning many areas of the law.

District 22 District Attorney’s Office, Hazlehurst, Mississippi September 2022-Present
Assistant District Attorney responsible for prosecuting all criminal matters before the Court 
• Reviewing files to prosecute cases effectively 
• Preparing and arguing criminal cases before a jury 
 

City of Jackson, Jackson, Mississippi January 2020-August 2022
Chief Prosecutor responsible for prosecuting all misdemeanor criminal matters in the city
• Reviewing files to prosecute cases effectively 
• Preparing and arguing misdemeanor criminal cases and cases appealed to county court
 

New York Life Insurance Company, Ridgeland, Mississippi March 2018-December 2019
Life insurance agent responsible for estate planning and insurance sales
 

Young Williams, P.C., Ridgeland, Mississippi April 2017-February 2018
Attorney responsible for practicing law in all phases of matters concerning child support
• Prepared and prosecuted to conclusion, either by hearings or settlement, over 500 cases involving child support issues
• Prepared motions and pleadings in all phases of child support cases on behalf of the State of Mississippi
 

Hazzard Law LLC, Ridgeland, Mississippi March 2016-March 2017
Attorney responsible for practicing law in all phases of the practice of law
• Prepared and prosecuted to conclusion, either by hearings or settlement, over 50 cases involving estates
• Prepared motions and pleadings in all phases of civil cases and argued cases in Justice Courts and Chancery Courts 
 

District 21 District Attorney’s Office, Durant, Mississippi November 2014-February 2016
Assistant District Attorney responsible for prosecuting all criminal matters before the Court 
• Reviewing files to prosecute cases effectively 
• Preparing and arguing criminal cases before a jury 
 

Attorney General’s Office, Jackson, Mississippi May 2012-October 2014
Assistant Attorney General responsible for defending the Mississippi Department of Corrections from lawsuits filed by prisoners
• Reviewing and answering complaints concerning Constitutional issues 
• Prepared and argued over 15 civil cases in Federal Court before a jury
 

Hinds County District Attorney’s Office, Jackson, Mississippi March 2009-May 2012
Assistant District Attorney responsible for prosecuting all criminal matters before the Court 
• Reviewing files to prosecute cases effectively 
• Prepared and argued over 15 criminal cases before a jury 
 

Hudson Legal, New York, New York November 2008-February 2009
Attorney responsible for reviewing documents for a law firm located in Jackson, Mississippi
• Reviewed documents for relevant information 
• Reviewed documents for privileged information 
 

Abbott, Simses, & Kuchler, Jackson, Mississippi December 2003-July 2008
Attorney responsible for defending major corporations in asbestos litigation
• Prepared motions and pleadings in all phases of mass tort actions
• Worked with corporate clients directly while managing a docket
 

Solo Practice, Carthage, Mississippi July 2003-November 2003
Responsible for practicing law for clients concerning a variety of different legal issues
• Prepared wills, deeds, guardianships, and various other legal documents
• Prepared and argued criminal and civil cases before a jury
 

Ferr Smith & Associates, Canton, Mississippi August 2002-June 2003 
Attorney responsible for practicing law in all phases of the practice of law
• Prepared and prosecuted to conclusion, either by trial or settlement, over 50 cases involving both physical and economic injuries
• Argued cases in Justice Courts and Chancery Courts 
 

Mississippi Court of Appeals, Jackson, Mississippi May 2001-July 2002
Law Clerk responsible for assisting Chief Judge, Roger H. McMillin, Jr., in the drafting of legal 
opinions
• Researched and briefed all legal issues before the Court
• Responsible for helping the Court conduct hearings
 

Juris Doctor December 2000
Mississippi College School of Law, Jackson, Mississippi

Bachelor of Arts in Communications May 1994
Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, Mississippi
Cum Laude