ANDREW CATES

Political Attorney, Author, Strategist, Entrepreneur

The central repository for all of the information about my career, my current projects, and how to get in touch with me. Let's get to work!

CURRENT PROJECTS

Cates Legal Group, PLLC

POLITICAL ATTORNEY

Accomplished political ethics attorney representing campaigns, nonprofits, associations, PACs, and companies. Experience in local, state and federal elections and ethics laws.

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Government Relations

BINGHAM GROUP

Managing Principal - State Affairs & General Counsel for a municipal and state government relations and strategic solutions firm. We focus on creative and viable solutions to diverse needs by companies and associations who wish to elevate their political advocacy.

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Chair

PAAT YOUNG LOBBY GROUP

Founder of a group within the Professional Advocacy Association of Texas to provide valuable resources to professionals entering the lobbying & advocacy industry

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Author

TEXAS ETHICS LAWS ANNOTATED

Author of the only legal guide to Texas ethics laws - Texas Ethics Laws Annotated - now in the 4th edition.

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2022 McBee Fellow

AUSTIN AREA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION

The Austin Area Research Organization is a non-partisan nonprofit organization of 110 business and civic leaders from Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet and Caldwell counties. AARO focuses on long-term challenges and solutions to enhance the economic and social well-being of all Central Texans. AARO also addresses more immediate issues with long-term implications.

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Council Member Emeritus &
Advisory Commission Member

LEGISLATIVE & CAMPAIGN LAW

As a prior chair of the Legislative & Campaign Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, I am now a member emeritus of the leadership council. I also sit on the Advisory Commission for the Legislative & Campaign Law Specialization within the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

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GET TO KNOW ME

Up Close & Personal

Since I began my professional journey I’ve been lucky to have the opportunity to collaborate on some exciting solo and collaborative projects. I take pride in all that I do and in the long-term relationships I’ve fostered in the process. I firmly believe that hard work eventually pays off, and I know that each day brings me closer to reaching my goals.

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SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS & RECOGNITIONS

TEXAS LAWYER AWARDS

Recipient of a 2022 Texas Lawyer Award as a "Legal Innovator" for my work on Texas Ethics Laws Annotated and the Texas Legal Specialization in Legislative and Campaign Law

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LEGISLATIVE & CAMPAIGN LAW SPECIALIZATION

Approved December 2019 by the Texas Supreme Court

Officially Board Certified as of March 2022

I am one of the first five attorneys in the US to be considered an expert in Legislative & Campaign Law after passing the Texas Board of Legal Specialization exam in October 2021.

I spearheaded the effort to create the first legal specialization in U.S. history dedicated to this area of law. For the first time ever, Texas attorneys will now be able to take a rigorous test proving their expertise in this area of law and say that they are Board Certified in Legislative and Campaign Law. It will be a huge step forward in legitimizing this area of practice in the eyes of the State Bar of Texas and the public at large.

SXSW PANEL SPEAKER

The Technology of Our Politics

Featured speaker on behalf of Lobby Days to sit on a SXSW 2019 panel focused on the new technology that has been developed to impact the political market.

LATINO CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Texas Campaign Finance Laws for Candidates

Invited speaker for LCLD program advising potential candidates on the Texas and local ethics laws that apply when running for office.

PUBLIC INTEREST LAW SECTION OF THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS

Lobbying and Nonprofits

Featured speaker on updates to Texas laws regarding lobbying and nonprofits engaging in political advocacy.

AUSTIN UNDER 40 AWARDS

Nominee & Finalist

Nominated three years in a row and finalist in 2016 in the Government Relations and Public Affairs category

GRADUATE OF THE LAST DECADE

Texas Tech School of Law

Honored in 2017 as a Graduate of the Last Decade by Texas Tech School of Law Alumni for excellence in Texas legislative and campaign law

PRESIDENT'S AWARD FOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROFESSION

Texas Nurses Association - Houston

Presented with the 2017 President's Award for Contribution to the Nursing Profession by the Houston area Nurses Association.

NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS

Texas Observer

Named by Texas Observer as one of the Next Generation of Leaders 2012.

PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS

Moderator/Chair - Next Generation of Lobbyists Group

I consistently serve as moderator for campaign and ethics panels for the Professional Advocacy Association of Texas, and I serve as the spokesperson for PAAT for the next generation of Texas lobbyists.