Attorney Profiles

Bob Gates is an attorney with Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White & Frederick P.C. in Peoria, IL .

Bob concentrates his practice in civil and commercial litigation; estate planning and administration; real estate; commercial transactions; taxation; local government law; and school law.

Prior to joining Kavanagh, Bob represented the City of Chicago as an Assistant Corporation Counsel.  While with the Chicago Department of Law, Bob represented the City in civil litigation matters focusing on tax and revenue litigation.  He also advised City departments on legal and policy issues involving constitutional law, taxing authority, tax objections, land-use planning, water management and sales, public employee pension rights and financing, economic development financing, and municipal powers.  Bob represented the City of Chicago before the Department of Administrative Hearings, Circuit Court, and the Property Tax Appeal Board.

Before law school, Bob was an economic development professional in the greater Cincinnati area.  He coordinated the economic development efforts of over 19 political jurisdictions, developed business attraction and retention strategies for each, and negotiated tax incentive agreements between the State of Ohio , local communities, and expanding businesses. 

Bob earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Miami University ( Ohio ). He is a cum laude graduate of The John Marshall Law School, having graduating in the top 5% of his class and was a member of The John Marshall Law Review.

While in Chicago, Bob was the President of the Andersonville Development Corporation and a member of the Board of Directors of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce. 

Bob is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Peoria County Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and various civic organizations.

Although Bob grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois, Bob's family has deep roots in Peoria . He is also married to a native Peorian, Lisa (Frank) Gates.