About Ivan Bates

VETERAN & STUDENT

An Army brat, Ivan Bates spent his childhood living in different parts of the country and world. After high school, Ivan chose to follow in his father's footsteps by enlisting and serving at home and abroad as a member of the United States Army's 32nd Air Defense Artillery Command in Europe.

Inspired by the legacy of Justice Thurgood Marshall, Ivan pursued a legal career and enrolled in the College of William and Mary Law School. As a student, he participated in the Black Law Students Association and worked with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

BALTIMORE, HIS FOREVER HOME

When Ivan's beloved Aunt Edna fell ill, he moved to Baltimore. After decades of living and serving across the country and world, Ivan had found his forever home.

Ivan worked as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Judge David B. Mitchell before being appointed a prosecutor in the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office in 1996. There he rose through the ranks and joined the Homicide Division. It was there that Ivan became a strong advocate for families victimized by violent crime.

BALTIMORE, HIS FOREVER HOME

In 2002, Ivan Bates joined a prominent law firm and one case brought him to the Supreme Court where he fulfilled a lifelong dream of arguing before the country's highest court.

In 2006, he formed his own criminal defense firm, Bates & Garcia, LLC. As managing partner, he led the firm to become one of the most respected defense practices in the region. As a law firm owner, Ivan also gained a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities each small business faces.

STATE'S ATTORNEY

After years of representing defendants across multiple states in complex criminal and civil matters, Ivan was elected Baltimore City State's Attorney in 2022.

Ivan got to work. He rebuilt the office, grew community engagement efforts, expanded services for victims and older adults, and mandated that prosecutors hold violators of quality-of-life crimes accountable. Most importantly, he prioritized the prosecution and sentencing of individuals who have repeatedly committed violent crime.

Over Ivan Bates' three-year tenure as State's Attorney, the number of homicides in the City of Baltimore dropped 60%. In 2025, the rate of homicides was at its lowest level in 50 years. While one homicide is too many, Ivan's "smart on crime" policies are saving lives and making Baltimore safer.

Ivan lives in Southeast Baltimore with his daughter London and wife Dani.

Ivan's Story