Williamsburg, VA

Avery T. Waterman, Jr.

Avery T. Waterman, Jr. is an award-winning attorney specializing in vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and serious personal injury cases, including brain injuries. He has been recognized for 19 consecutive years in Best Lawyers in America for both Plaintiff Medical Malpractice and Plaintiff Personal Injury, and has been named "Lawyer of the Year" multiple times. He has also been listed in Virginia Super Lawyers for 17 consecutive years, and in the National Trial Lawyers "Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Virginia" and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for 16 consecutive years. Mr. Waterman is licensed in Virginia, Louisiana, and the District of Columbia, and has over 40 years of legal experience. He is known for achieving significant settlements and verdicts, including landmark cases upheld by the Virginia Supreme Court.

Neil Cowan Jr.

Neil Cowan Jr. was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 1988. He practices personal injury, criminal defense, civil and commercial litigation, and insurance defense. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and has served as President of the Chesterfield County Bar Association and Salisbury Country Club.

David Gates

David Gates is a statewide trial attorney admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 1982. His practice includes criminal defense, personal injury, and insurance defense, with 75 percent devoted to civil litigation. He received his J.D. from the T.C. Williams School of Law of the University of Richmond.

W. Henry M. Jones

W. Henry M. Jones is a trial lawyer with CowanGates, focusing on civil trial work, particularly personal injury law, including automobile, truck, slip-and-fall, dog bites, and wrongful death cases. He also handles business litigation, contract litigation, real estate litigation, and eminent domain. He was admitted to the bar in 2015.

Frank Rennie IV

Frank Rennie IV practices law at CowanGates with an emphasis on civil trial work, including commercial litigation, creditor’s rights, eminent domain, and personal injury. He also serves as general counsel to several boards, commissions, and agencies, including Southside Electric Cooperative and Lunenburg County, Virginia. He is a retired Rear Admiral from the U.S. Navy Reserves.

Patrick Kelley

Patrick Kelley is a trial lawyer and criminal defense attorney with over 40 years of experience, having graduated from Marshall-Wythe School of Law in 1983. He served as a JAG officer in the U.S. Army and a Commonwealth’s Attorney before entering private practice, focusing on criminal, traffic defense, and personal injury cases. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, and Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Heath Gates Jr.

Heath Gates is a third-generation Chesterfield County real estate attorney, specializing in real estate law including contract and closing negotiations, financing, leases, easements, covenants, and other real estate issues. He also handles civil litigation and personal injury. He joined the firm in 2010 and became a Principal five years later.