Judge Yates was appointed to the bench in December 2007. He received his bachelor's degree from Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, IA in 1986 and his law degree from the Drake University School of Law in 1994. Judge Yates spent 12 years in private practice with Clements Law Firm in Oskaloosa, IA. He is a member of the Iowa Judges Association and the Keokuk County Bar Association.