Gavin Bates is the Managing Attorney for SCCLS’ New Bedford Office. He was a staff attorney prior to that, starting with the organization in 2014. His practice focused mostly on direct representation for individuals facing potential eviction and struggling to access public benefits, although he now handles a variety of other sorts of work. He worked in other legal fields prior to his time at SCCLS, including public defense, family law, immigration, and advocacy for juveniles in both school and court settings. Prior to his legal career, he earned his B.A. and then his master’s in public administration (both from Clark University) and worked for both local governments, nonprofit organizations, and the Office of the Inspector General for the US Department of Health and Human Services. He is an enthusiastic advocate for those in need as well as an active community partner with other anti-poverty groups in and around SCCLS’ New Bedford Office