How much does it cost to hire Reed for a adr case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Reed walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does Reed offer a free consultation?

Reed charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Reed's office. Some adr attorneys offer free consults — check Reed's current terms during booking.

How long do adr cases in Alabama typically take?

Simple adr matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Reed gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can Reed take my case if I'm outside Birmingham?

Reed is licensed in Alabama. Matters governed by Alabama law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Reed will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with Reed?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Reed will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is Reed accepting new adr clients right now?

Reed's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

Reed R. Bates, ADR Attorney in Birmingham, Alabama

Over 32 years of legal practice · focused on ADR, Elder Law, and General · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

PartneratStarnes Davis Florie Llp

Birmingham, AL

Practicing adr in Birmingham since 1994.

32+: Years practicing
5.0 ★: 1 client review

Practices in

ADR Elder Law General Health Care Insurance Medical Malpractice +6 more →

Are you Reed R. Bates?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

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Quick answer

Reed R. Bates is a partner based in Birmingham, AL. The practice focuses on ADR, Elder Law, and General. Reed has over 32 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Starnes Davis Florie Llp. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Based in: Birmingham, AL
Experience: over 32 years
Known for: ADR · Elder Law · General

Handles ADR, Elder Law, and General matters from Birmingham, AL.
Over 32 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
Recognized with BV Distinguished.

Areas of practice

Practice areas handled by Reed R. Bates

Reed concentrates on adr, elder law, general, health care, and insurance. Each area below outlines the kind of case Reed handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

ADR cases in Birmingham, Alabama

Reed takes adr matters in Birmingham, Alabama. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Reed agrees to represent you.

Elder Law cases in Birmingham, Alabama

Reed takes elder law matters in Birmingham, Alabama. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Reed agrees to represent you.

General cases in Birmingham, Alabama

Reed takes general matters in Birmingham, Alabama. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Reed agrees to represent you.

Health Care cases in Birmingham, Alabama

Reed takes health care matters in Birmingham, Alabama. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Reed agrees to represent you.

Insurance cases in Birmingham, Alabama

Reed takes insurance matters in Birmingham, Alabama. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Reed agrees to represent you.

Biography

About Reed R. Bates — Over 32 years of Alabama adr experience

Reed is a partner at Starnes Davis Florie and has served on various firm committees. He is chair of the firm’s long term care practice group.

Reed’s practice is devoted to civil litigation with a special emphasis representing healthcare providers in litigation and regulatory matters. His litigation experience includes professional medical liability, long term care/nursing home liability, pharmaceutical and medical device liability, product liability, and general personal injury, wrongful death and insurance litigation (including defense of direct claims against insurance companies for breach of contract, bad faith, and fraud). Reed has arbitrated and tried numerous complex jury and non-jury cases to a verdict.

Professional Recognition

•Listed in Best Lawyers in America for Medical Malpractice - Defendants
•Listed in Birmingham’s B-Metro Magazine’s 2018-2021 “Top Lawyers” List
•“Litigation Star” in Benchmark Litigation
•Past Chair of Medical Defense and Health Law Committee and Past Vice-Chair of the Nursing Home/Long-Term Care Sub-Committee of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
•Currently serves on the Legal Committee for the American Health Care Association (AHCA)
•Member of the Alabama Nursing Home Defense Lawyers Association (President 2006-2009)
•Member of the Medical Liability and Health Care Law Section of DRI
•Member of the American Health Lawyers Association
•Member of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
•Member of the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum
•Reed has also served as a member of Alabama State Bar's Judicial Liaison Committee

Highlights

•Successfully defended an appeal, where the Alabama Supreme Court affirmed without opinion the trial court’s order compelling arbitration of the plaintiff’s wrongful death and medical malpractice claims against a long-term health facility, rejecting arguments that the arbitration agreement was unenforceable due to lack of mutuality of obligation and other grounds.
•Secured a defense verdict in nursing home wrongful death medical malpractice case alleging the defendant failed to properly diagnose and treat a resident for Clostridium Difficile Colitis.
•Obtained a favorable ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court holding an arbitration agreement enforceable in a senior living case based upon the principles of apparent authority.
•Obtained a defense award, after a three-day Arbitration, on behalf of a nursing home in a personal injury and wrongful death case arising from resident falling from a wheelchair.
•Obtained a defense award for a nursing home and rehabilitation center in a wrongful death, medical malpractice action in a case involving allegations that the resident suffered numerous falls, the last of which resulted in a subdural hematoma that caused the resident’s death.
•Secured a dismissal of claims of medical malpractice and wrongful death against a local home health and hospice agency. Citing provisions of the Alabama Medical Liability Act regarding the necessity of expert testimony on the issues of standard of care and causation, Reed obtained summary judgment in favor of his client.
•Secured a summary judgment in Arbitration for a nursing home client in a wrongful death medical malpractice case.
•Secured a dismissal of breach of contract and declaratory judgment coverage claims against homeowner’s insurance company in United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
•Obtained a defense verdict in favor of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in a case involving a bilateral total joint replacement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
•Obtained a defense verdict in favor of a nursing home in a wrongful death case arising from allegations that a patient died from gastrointestinal bleeding, infection, and hemorrhage at a dialysis access site.
•Obtained a defense verdict in favor of an assisted living facility and the facility’s executive director in a six-day arbitration hearing involving a resident’s allegations of sexual assault.
•Obtained defense verdict for nursing home in four day arbitration involving claims by plaintiff for personal injury and wrongful death.
•Secured reversal by Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals of Order dismissing 9 U.S.C.4 Complaint to Compel Arbitration for lack of subject matter jurisdiction in nursing home case.
•Successfully compelled malpractice claims against nursing home in Arkansas into arbitration.
•Obtained defense verdict on behalf of emergency department physician in seven-day wrongful death trial.
•Obtained dismissal of cardiologist in wrongful death case.
•Obtained jury verdict for emergency department physician in ten-day wrongful death case.
•Currently representing numerous nursing homes and long term care facilities throughout the State of Alabama in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
•Obtained dismissal of class action against nursing home operator and insurance company arising from alleged violations of Medicare Secondary Payor Act.

Presentations and Publications

•Thinking Outside the Box, Act II: Global Perspective to Risk Management, Etc, Alabama Nursing Home Association Mid-Year Conference, Orange Beach, AL, April 27, 2022.
•Arbitration: Trends, Issues & Hot Topics, Alabama Nursing Home Defense Lawyers Association Annual Meeting, Orange Beach, AL, April 26, 2022.
•Risk Management - Resident Care & Employment Issues, Health Care Leadership Conference, Orange Beach, AL, October 18, 2018.
•Sexual Assault in Long-Term Care: Evaluating and Defending these Claims, Alabama Nursing Home Defense Lawyers Association, Orange Beach, AL, April 24, 2018.
•Mega Rule Staffing Requirements a ’ Are you Ready,? Alabama Nursing Home Association, Birmingham, AL, October 23, 2017.
•Arbitration Best Practices, Alabama Nursing Home Defense Lawyers Meeting, Orange Beach, AL, April 26, 2014.
•Criminal Acts by Employees, Alabama Nursing Home Defense Lawyers Meeting, Orange Beach, AL, April 26, 2014.
•Trends in Nursing Home Litigation - Avoiding the Multi-Million Dollar Mistake, Senior Care Pharmacy Conference, Birmingham, AL, April 10, 2014.
•Is This Just Another One of Those Nursing Homes?, Alabama Nursing Home Association Meeting, Birmingham, AL, February 3, 2014.
•“Whoa to the Company that Fails to Include a Class Wide Arbitration Waiver,” IADC Medical Defense and Health Law Committee Newsletter, January 31, 2014.
•Open Floor Discussion: Are You Producing More Than Your Peers? Pushing Back On A Request for Production, American Conference Institute’s Seminar on “Preventing and Defending Long Term Care Litigation,” Miami, FL, January 28, 2014.
•“Are You As Guilty As The Criminal? Liability For Criminal Acts Of Third Parties And Employees,” Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel Quarterly Publication, FDCC Quarterly (Fall 2013).
•Preparing and Developing Testimony from Frontline Caregivers, DRI Nursing Home / ALF Litigation Seminar, Las Vegas, NV, September 2012
•Risk Management: Resident Care Litigation and Labor & Employment Perspectives, Alabama Assisted Living Association, September 2012
•Trial and Error: Lessons Learned from Recent Multi-Million Dollar Verdicts in Medical Malpractice Cases, IADC Annual Meeting, Asheville, NC, July 2012
•Risk Management: Patient Care Litigation, Regulatory Compliance, and Labor & Employment Perspectives, Alabama Nursing Home Association, May 2012
•Class Actions and Arbitration Update in Nursing Home Cases, Alabama Nursing Home Defense Lawyers Association, April 2011
•Mission Impossible: Resolution of a Case with a Medicare Claimant, Alabama Nursing Home Association Owners Meeting, Highlands, NC, July 2010
•Arbitration Update, Alabama Nursing Home Defense Lawyers Association, May 2010
•Reed R. Bates and Stephen W. Still, Jr., “Arbitration in Nursing Home Cases: Trends, Issues and a Glance into the Future”, IADC Defense Counsel Journal, Vol. 76, No. 3, Pages 282-299 (July 2009) * Please Note: this article was reprinted with the permission of the IADC Defense Counsel Journal.
•Arbitration in Nursing Home/Health Care Cases: National Trends, Hot Topics and a Glance into the Future, 2009 IADC Mid-Year Conference, Carlsbad, CA, February 2009
•Arbitration in Nursing Home Cases, Alabama Nursing Home Association Owners Meeting, Highlands, NC, July 2008
•Nursing Home Litigation, Alabama Bar Institute for CLE, October 2007
•Nursing Home Malpractice: Evaluating and Addressing Accountability, National Business Institute, September 2007
•Effectively Using Medical Evidence in Court, National Business Institute, May 2007
•Medical Practice Litigation Tips, Barristers Educational Services, December 2006
•Measures to Prevent Litigation and Successfully Defend Medical Malpractice cases, Turenne Pharmedco University, August 2006
•Enforcement of Arbitration Provisions in Long Term Care Litigation, Alabama Nursing Home Defense Lawyers Conference, May 2006
•Arbitrating Nursing Home Cases, Alabama Nursing Home Defense Lawyers Association, November 2005
•Recent Developments in Nursing Home Litigation, Lorman Education, February 2005

News & Insights

•Starnes Davis Florie Obtains Multiple Appellate Victories
•Benchmark Litigation 2026 Ranks Starnes Davis Florie as a Highly Recommended Litigation Firm
•35 Starnes Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2026
•Starnes Davis Florie Ranked as a Highly Recommended Litigation Firm in the 2025 Edition of Benchmark Litigation
•33 Starnes Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2025
•Bates & Still Secure Defense Verdict in Nursing Home Arbitration
•Starnes Davis Florie Ranked as a “Highly Recommended Litigation Firm” in the 2024 Edition of Benchmark Litigation
•30 Starnes Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2024
•News Alert: OSHA’s focus on workplace violence in healthcare continues
•SDF’s Davis, Bates & Newton Obtain Favorable Ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court
•Bates, Still & Claud Obtain Defense Award for a Nursing Home in Arbitration
•Reed Bates & Will Davis Obtain Defense Award for a Nursing Home in Arbitration
•Starnes Davis Florie Highly Ranked in Benchmark Litigation 2023
•30 SDF ATTORNEYS LISTED IN BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA 2023
•US Department of Labor Announces Enforcement, Effort for Focused Inspections in Hospitals, Nursing Care Facilities Treating COVID-19 Patients
•Vaccine Mandate Update: OSHA Clear to Enforce, CMS in Limbo
•Biden-Harris Administration Issues Emergency Regulation Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers
•OSHA Issues Vaccine Mandate: Common Questions on OSHA’s Large Employer Vaccine Mandate
•29 SDF ATTORNEYS LISTED IN BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA 2022
•OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard for Healthcare Workers

Working with Reed on a adr matter

Reed is a partner at Starnes Davis Florie and has served on various firm committees. He is chair of the firm’s long term care practice group. Reed’s practice is devoted to civil litigation with a special emphasis representing healthcare providers in litigation and regulatory matters. His litigation experience includes professional medical liability, long term care/nursing home liability,…

Clients Reed works with

Reed reviews new inquiries case-by-case for adr, elder law, and general matters in Birmingham and the surrounding Alabama area.

Credentials

Reed R. Bates's legal education and bar admissions

Cumberland School of Law
J.D. · 1994
University of Alabama
B.S. · 1990

Reed studied at J.D. in Cumberland School of Law and B.S. in University of Alabama.

Law school and academic background

Reed completed J.D. in Cumberland School of Law and B.S. in University of Alabama. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Reed runs in Alabama is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Awards, publications, and recognition of Reed R. Bates

Reed has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

BV Distinguished

Legal awards and honors

BV Distinguished.

Affiliations

Reed's professional memberships and bar associations

Community Involvement •Reed is actively involved in his church and outreach ministries
membership
•He has enjoyed coaching youth sports and serving in leadership roles for youth focused organizations
membership
•He supports and is actively involved in several civic and charitable organizations
membership

Locations

Reed R. Bates's office in Birmingham

Reed's primary office is at 100 Brookwood Place, 7th Floor, Birmingham, AL, 35209. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Starnes Davis Florie Llp

100 Brookwood Place, 7th Floor

Birmingham, AL 35209

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Reed R. Bates — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Every review below is from a verified client of Reed. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing adr attorneys in Birmingham.

5.0

1 client review

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Reed R. Bates claims this profile.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Reed R. Bates — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new adr attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Reed usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Reed charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Reed's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Reed will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a adr attorney in Birmingham, Alabama

A short list to run through before you commit: How many adr matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Reed

Reed discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in adr practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every adr matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Reed confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Reed's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many adr practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Reed R. Bates

How much does it cost to hire Reed for a adr case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Reed walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Reed offer a free consultation?
Reed charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Reed's office. Some adr attorneys offer free consults — check Reed's current terms during booking.
How long do adr cases in Alabama typically take?
Simple adr matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Reed gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Reed take my case if I'm outside Birmingham?
Reed is licensed in Alabama. Matters governed by Alabama law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Reed will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Reed?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Reed will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Reed accepting new adr clients right now?
Reed's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

ADR attorneys serving Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile in Alabama

Reed handles adr matters throughout Alabama. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified adr attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Reed's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these adr attorneys in Birmingham handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.

Reed R. Bates, ADR Attorney in Birmingham, Alabama

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