Gates, Samuel

Samuel E. Gates (1906-1979) was an aviation attorney. He was born in Largo, Indiana and completed undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California, where he also received a master's degree. He then undertook postgraduate studies at Harvard and the University of Paris before returning to U.S.C. for a law degree. During World War II he served as the deputy chief of staff of the Air Transport Command at the rank of colonel and received the Distinguished Service Medal. Post-war, he practiced law in Washington and helped frame the Civil Aeronautics Act, in addition to serving on numerous commissions that worked to regulate international civil aviation. He moved to New York and became a senior partner at the New York law firm Debevoise, Plimpton, Lyons & Gates, now Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP. He represented aviation clients such as American Airlines and KLM. He was active professionally, serving as a regent and later president-elect of the American College of Trial Lawyers and chairman of the grievance committee for the Association of the Bar of New York City. Internationally, he worked for the Provisional International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Air Transport Association as the American representative.