Cheryl L. Kates, Esq.

Cheryl L. Kates, Esq., attended Syracuse University College of Law, graduating in 2002. She also has a Bachelors Degree from St. John Fisher College in Political Science. Ms. Kates completed her Masters Degree in Public Administration from Walden University. She is currently a Licensed Practical Nurse and has been since 1990. Ms. Kates has completed the requirements for a certificate in Investigative Criminal Profiling studying with renowned Criminal Profiler Pat Brown.

Ms. Kates is the former president and co-founder of Edge of Justice. This was a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advocacy of incarcerated individuals. The NFP was dissolved in 2007. She also served as the Interim Director of the NY Civil Liberties Union in Syracuse, NY, on a volunteer basis. After becoming an attorney, she continued on with the organization as part of the legal team in both Rochester and Syracuse, NY. Ms. Kates is formerly a professor of law at Bryant and Stratton College and Rochester Business Institute teaching paralegals.

Cheryl L. Kates, Esq. is a criminal defense attorney who practices in matters such as parole and administrative proceedings against the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. It is believed that her law firm is the only law firm in NYS that restricts the practice to DOCCS matters. Her efforts are acknowledged, and she is the recipient of the Martin Luther King Drum of Justice Award, the Tehrs Humanitarian Award, and the Bain award for her community efforts. Most recently, Kates was recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Association for her contribution to criminal defense being named Top 100 criminal defense attorneys in New York State. In 2023, Cheryl was included in “Lawyers of Distinction” an honor that only 1 percent of attorneys can claim. Lawyers of Distinction recognizes excellence in the practice of law.

Ms. Kates is also a journalist, formerly the editor of Rochester Woman Online. She is a contributing writer to several magazines including Nephilim and TTLF Fashion Magazine. Kates is also an LPN where she worked previously as a brain injury trauma nurse. Ms. Kates was a former radio host on WAYO of her show “Law and Hip Hop”. Additionally, she is also a print and runway model. Kates, along with her colleague from Columbia University, completed a study on solitary confinement and re-entry, which was published detailing the detrimental factors impeding successful reentry after incarceration.

Education

WALDEN UNIVERSITY
Master of Public Administration

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
Doctor of Law - JD, Law

ST JOHN FISHER COLLEGE
B.S., Political Science

Licenses

• Licensed Practical Nurse

Bar Admissions

• New York

Awards

• Lawyers of Distinction, 2023

• Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2022/2023

• NYS Trial Lawyers Award, 2020

• Bain-Stevens Excellence Award, 2019

• Tehrs Humanitarian Award, 2016

• Empire State Counsel Award, NYS Bar Association, 2007-2010

• Martin Luther King Drum Major of Justice Award, Statewide Coalition of Families of Prisoners, 2004