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Attorneys Profiles

Dwane Maxwell Cates 
Phoenix, Arizona
Founder
Managing Partner
phone (480) 620-8568
fax (480) 905-3166
email Email Me

Mr. Cates is the founder of the firm. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelors Degree in Communication, studying primarily in the area of persuasion. He attended Arizona State University College of Law distinguishing himself in oral argument competitions and participating on the Trial Advocacy Team.

Mr. Cates practices in the areas of Criminal Defense Law, Family Law, General Civil Litigation, and has handled actions in the Arizona Court of Appeals and Arizona Supreme Court.

In the area of Family Law, Mr. Cates has experience in Interstate Custody Disputes, Divorce, Legal Separation, Child Support, Spousal Maintenance, Alimony, Child Custody, Visitation, Parenting Time, and all aspects of Family Law. This experience includes numerous trials and appellate actions dealing with complex assets and custody issues.

In the area of criminal defense, Mr. Cates has experience handling a variety of cases from major felonies in Federal Court to misdemeanors in municipal court. No matter what the case, Mr. Cates, has the experience to handle your case effectively and at a reasonable rate.

In the area of civil litigation, Mr. Cates has represented clients ranging from individuals to large companies, both as plaintiffs lawyer and as a defense lawyer. His experience includes tobacco litigation and law suits against both state and local government. Mr. Cates founded the firm in 1997 and has owned and managed the firm to the present. He has experience at all levels of criminal law from first degree murder cases to misdemeanor DUI cases in municipal court. He has handled several high profile cases including the "baby formula" case in federal court and the matricide murder case. No matter what the case, Mr. Cates, has the experience to handle your case effectively and at a reasonable rate.

Mr. Cates has a wealth of life experiences ranging from the oil fields of Wyoming to various sales positions here in the valley. This wide variety of life experience is extremely valuable in the representation of the diverse clientele found here in the valley.

Give him a call he would love the opportunity to earn your business.

Mr. Cates is the managing partner and has experience handling criminal defense matters at all levels and is standing by to take your call.

Areas of Practice:
Criminal Defense Law
Family Law
General Civil Litigation
Custody Disputes
Divorce
Legal Separation
Child Support
Spousal Maintenance
Alimony
Child Custody
Visitation
Parenting Time
Family Law
Felonies
Misdemeanors
Bar Admissions:
Arizona, 1997
Education:
Arizona State University, College of Law, Tempe, Arizona
J.D.
Honors: Oral Argument Competitions, Trial Advocacy Team


Arizona State University
Bachelors Degree
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
Major: Communication


Professional Associations and Memberships:
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member


American Bar Association, Criminal Law Section
Member


Maricopa County Bar Association, Criminal Law Section
Member


American Association for Justice, Criminal Law Section
Member


Arizona College of Trial Advocacy


Recent Results
  • Client was charged with sexual conduct with a minor, facing four to 12.5 years in prison; was sentenced to 4.5 years. (Gila County Superior Court, Globe Arizona)
  • Client was accused of child molestation, facing life in prison hired this firm and through our efforts prevented charges from being filed. (Apache Junction, Arizona)
  • Client was charged with indecent exposure with a special allegation of sexual motivation, facing jail and registering as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Arranged a plea where the allegation of sexual motivation was dropped and client was not required to register as a sex offender. (Glendale Municipal Court, Glendale, Arizona)
Information Center

The serious consequences that can result from drug charges require immediate intervention from a criminal defense attorney who knows how to protect your rights and negotiate the best possible result according to the facts and applicable law.

Contact

Cates, Hanson, Sargeant & Schoenau, PLC
1747 E. Morten Avenue, Suite 205
Phoenix, AZ 85020

P 602-296-3434
  877-229-9508 (toll-free)
F 480-905-3166