Robert J. Bates Jr. has been selected for inclusion in Lexology Index's Thought Leaders – USA 2027 report (formerly Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders), an annual guide that brings together the insight, skill, and wisdom of some of the USA's foremost lawyers and practitioners in a single publication. Individuals featured are chosen based on strong recommendations from peers, corporate counsel, and other market sources gathered during Lexology's latest research cycle, placing Bob among a small circle of practitioners recognized nationally across every practice area, not just within insurance and reinsurance.

Bob's inclusion builds on a standout year of recognition. Earlier in 2026, Lexology Index named him a Global Elite Thought Leader in Insurance and Reinsurance, the organization's highest possible distinction within that practice area, reserved for the top echelon of ranked practitioners nationwide. As a Global Elite Thought Leader, Bob is one of just 12 attorneys in the country to hold that designation, reinforcing his standing as one of the nation's most consistently recognized insurance coverage and reinsurance attorneys over the past two decades.

Beyond his standing with Lexology Index, Bob has built a decades-long track record representing some of the world's largest insurers and reinsurers in their most complex coverage and reinsurance disputes. He holds a Band 1 ranking with Chambers USA, where he has been described as “a top-tier attorney who produces exceptional work, manages cases strategically, and effectively and consistently obtains outstanding results.” He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, Illinois Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, and Insurance and Reinsurance Expert Guides, among other honors spanning his career.

For nearly two decades, Lexology Index has identified leading practitioners based on comprehensive research results from both general counsel and private practice lawyers worldwide.