Today we’d like to introduce you to Mallori Gates.
Hi Mallori, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path to law began at Maryville College in Tennessee, where I initially pursued pre-med studies as a biochemistry major. However, a life-changing accident during the summer between my freshman and sophomore years steered me toward a completely different career (pun-intended).
I was driving on the road I have lived my entire life when my car hit loose gravel that had been placed over a tar patch. The county had recently completed road repairs without posting warning signs, and these patches were located in random locations along all of the county roads in my home county. The one I happened upon was in a blinding curve causing me to loose control and spin out. My 2003 Nissan Sentra flipped off an embankment and landed on its hood. I kicked out the window that should have been facing the road only to find out my vehicle was now facing the opposite direction due to the car flipping upside down. This accident left me with a concussion, arm laceration, extensive bruising, and a hematoma under my kneecap that still affects me today.
What happened next proved more frustrating than the accident itself. Despite the obvious road hazard, the responding officer failed to note any hazardous conditions in the police report. I soon learned I wasn’t alone—dozens of others had similar accidents on these poorly marked road patches throughout the county. My insurance payout was less than $5,000, yet my monthly premiums skyrocketed from $60 to over $200 a month.
When we sought legal counsel to recover damages from the county, attorney after attorney turned us away. Their message was clear: since I wasn’t seriously injured or killed, the case wasn’t worth their time or money. That moment solidified my calling.
I didn’t want to enter law to sue everyone in sight. Instead, I wanted to give people what I couldn’t find—someone who would listen, explain their options, and treat them with dignity during difficult times. Sometimes the most important service isn’t winning a case; it’s giving people a voice and helping them understand their situation.
I launched my own firm in 2023 with a simple mission: to help others navigate tough times while ensuring they feel seen and safe. My priority extends beyond legal victories to creating an environment where both my team and clients feel comfortable sharing anything.
The response has been overwhelming. Business has grown so rapidly that I’ve had to narrow my practice areas—as the sole attorney, I simply can’t accommodate everyone who reaches out. But that challenge excites me about the future, and I’m exploring ways to expand our capacity.
I’m incredibly grateful for my amazing team, our supportive community, and wonderful clientele. This journey has been a blessing, and I believe there’s much more growth ahead for our practice.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not—there have been days, weeks, and even months that made me question whether I wanted to continue in this profession. While my clients remain my top priority, the reality of managing nearly 150 open cases as a solo attorney presents constant challenges.
Clients don’t always understand the volume we’re handling or that urgent, time-sensitive matters sometimes require us to shift our immediate focus. We strive to respond to everyone within a reasonable timeframe, but the unpredictable nature of legal work means priorities can change quickly.
The financial demands of practicing law are substantial. Maintaining multiple licenses requires ongoing education and fees—I hold law licenses in both Tennessee and Florida, plus a title insurance agent license that allows me to provide comprehensive services to my clients. Each license comes with its own set of requirements and costs.
Some days, the phones ring relentlessly, leaving my team and me little time to tackle our actual caseload. It’s not uncommon for me to bring work home or spend weekends catching up on tasks that couldn’t be completed during regular business hours.
Between the overwhelming workload, financial pressures, and licensing demands, our office faces its share of struggles. Yet despite these challenges, everything becomes worthwhile when I see that moment of relief and peace in a client’s eyes. That’s what keeps me going and reminds me why I chose this path in the first place.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
What I think set me apart early on was my strategic approach to education. I recognized an opportunity to maximize my academic efficiency and enrolled in an innovative dual degree program that would compress what typically takes years into a streamlined educational experience. This decision demonstrated the forward-thinking mindset that I hope characterizes my entire career.
By May 2015, I had earned my Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Business Management with a Minor in Accounting from Maryville College. But this was just the beginning. The dual degree program allowed me to simultaneously pursue a Master’s in Business Administration with a Management Accounting Specialization from Jacksonville University while earning my Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law—effectively reducing my time in school by two full years.
Upon obtaining my Florida law license, I began my legal career as an Assistant Staff Attorney for the Brevard County, Florida, Clerk of the Circuit Court. This role provided me with invaluable experience in the judicial system and exposed me to the intricate workings of court operations—knowledge that would prove instrumental in my future practice.
Despite building a promising career in Florida, something was missing. I found myself longing for that Tennessee charm and the sense of community I grew up with. In August 2020, I made the pivotal decision to return to the McMinn/Monroe County area. Looking back, I realize that success isn’t always about climbing the ladder in big cities—sometimes it’s about bringing your experience home to serve your community.
While awaiting my Tennessee law license, I took a position as a title searcher with a local title company. Far from being a setback, this experience became a valuable asset for my law practice, providing me with specialized knowledge in real estate transactions that many attorneys lack.
After earning my Tennessee law license, I briefly worked with a local firm before taking the entrepreneurial leap to open my own practice. Today, my office stands as a testament to what’s possible when you combine broad educational background, diverse professional experience, and deep community roots.
My practice has become particularly well-known for estate planning, real estate, title work, and contract law—areas where my diverse background in business, accounting, and title work all come together to provide clients with comprehensive expertise. But honestly, it’s not just my technical knowledge that I hope sets me apart.
What I believe sets me apart from others in my field is the fact that I try to make the process as laid back and painless as possible. In a profession often associated with stress and formality, I’ve intentionally cultivated a different approach—one that prioritizes client comfort and accessibility.
My team and I pride ourselves on making our clients comfortable and giving them a voice when they feel they don’t have one. We enjoy getting to know our clients and love to hear their stories. I’ve learned that behind every legal matter is a human story worth hearing, and I think that perspective makes all the difference.
My favorite part of my job is putting a smile on someone’s face or helping them feel at ease when it comes to the reason they’re seeing me. Whether clients are navigating the complexities of estate planning, closing on their dream home, or working through challenging contract negotiations, I focus on demystifying the legal process and making it accessible.
My goal is simple yet something I’m passionate about: I want to be known as the attorney who cares about her clients and wants to make them feel welcomed from the beginning. In an industry where clients often feel intimidated or unheard, I’ve built my practice on the idea that legal services should be both accessible and approachable.
My journey—from McMinn County to Florida and back again—taught me that sometimes the most valuable career path isn’t a straight line, but rather a purposeful journey that combines ambition with a commitment to home. Today, I serve residents of Monroe, McMinn, Loudon, and surrounding counties not just as their attorney, but as someone who understands the community because I’m also part of it.
In returning to my Tennessee roots, I’ve brought with me not only my credentials and diverse experience, but also a vision of what legal practice can be when it’s grounded in community, compassion, and genuine care for the people it serves. Every day, I get to combine my love for the law with my commitment to making people feel heard, respected, and comfortable—and honestly, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’ve always believed that referrals represent the highest form of professional recognition. My approach centers on cultivating meaningful relationships with local attorneys, financial advisors, lenders, title companies, and other industry professionals to create a comprehensive network of trusted resources.
This collaborative ecosystem ensures that regardless of my clients’ specific needs, I can connect them with a qualified professional who can provide specialized assistance. My network becomes an extension of my service offering, allowing me to deliver comprehensive solutions beyond my core areas of practice.
For professionals interested in expanding their professional network, I welcome the opportunity to connect and learn more about your practice and expertise. As we develop these connections, we naturally become valuable resources for one another, able to provide insights and guidance when situations arise that benefit from collaborative perspectives.
This approach to professional networking fosters a supportive legal community where experienced practitioners can share knowledge and strengthen the overall quality of service available to clients throughout our region.
Pricing:
- Flat Fee Arrangements
- Hourly
- General Retainer
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mallorijgates.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Mallori-J-Gates-Attorney-at-Law-100089967735994/
