Lindsey Dates
Partner – Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Description of field of expertise
Lindsey D. G. Dates represents U.S. clients in high-stakes litigation matters in forums across the country, as well as global clients in U.S. federal and state courts. In particular, he has significant experience representing companies that conduct business in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Lindsey focuses on complex breach of contract cases and large-scale litigation matters that require extremely aggressive case strategies and coordination between and among numerous parties in multiple jurisdictions. He provides targeted guidance to U.S. and global clients across the spectrum of commercial litigation matters, including breach of contract, class action, business tort, competition, product liability, intellectual property, and bankruptcy. This wide range of experience enables Lindsey to parachute into cases shortly prior to trial.
Lindsey earned his J.D., with honors, from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he was a Lincoln Scholar and a recipient of the Rickert Award for Excellence in Public Service. Prior to law school, Lindsey enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign at the age of 16; earned two Bachelor’s Degrees as a triple major student (Rhetoric (Technical Writing), Speech Communications, and Political Science); and received multiple honors, including induction into the University of Illinois Senior 100 Honorary.
Active in the community, Lindsey is the former Chair of The Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms, an organization that seeks racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession. Lindsey created, and currently serves as the Chair of, the Don Hubert Scholars Program – which exposes approximately 150 boys to the practice of law via a one-day mock trial competition. Lindsey serves on the Board of the Black Men Lawyers Association. Lindsey also serves as the Chair of the Board for the C.H.A.M.P.S. mentorship program.
What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?
First, don’t let the practice of law define who you are. Yes, you practice law and you have the title of lawyer, but you are so much more than that. The answer to the question — “Who are you?” — can never be a lawyer, associate, counsel, or partner. Those titles may describe what you do, but they do not describe who you are. If you keep this truth in mind, you will not let the ebbs and flows of the practice of law sway you too much.
Second, focus on enhancing your technical writing skills. Learn how to break down and diagram sentences, paragraphs, and larger passages. Utilize your firm’s writing coach if available or hire your own writing coach. The ability to persuade others through writing is an increasingly rare technical skill that will help keep you in a league of your own throughout your career.
Third, always use oxford commas.
Final thoughts…
You have a sacred obligation to use all of your gifts to help others. Be for others what you wish others could have been for you. That might mean going back to your old neighborhood to bring others along the path. That might mean moving some furniture around (wink, wink).