Our Interview With Patrick Cates, Disability Attorney and Partner at Silver & Archibald

‍

Patrick Cates, a partner at Silver & Archibald, is a disability attorney dedicated to helping individuals secure financial assistance when medical conditions impact their ability to work. With 20 years of legal experience, Patrick supports clients through claims involving Social Security Disability Insurance, Veterans’ Disability, private long-term disability insurance, and workers’ compensation. Patrick has excelled in Social Security Disability appeals, having filed over 130 cases in federal court, often reversing denials and securing life-changing benefits. Patrick takes pride in supporting hardworking Georgians, including veterans and individuals in labor-intensive jobs, by helping them attain economic security.

‍

What motivated you to pursue a career in law?

I was interested in reading and writing in college. When I was surveying my options after graduation, law school seemed like a good fit for my skills and interests.

A lot of students struggle with the law school personal statement. What did your brainstorming, writing, and editing process look like, and what do you think made yours stand out from the crowd?

I tried to avoid cliches in my statement. I imagine that applying to a school in Oregon as a Georgia resident was likely one aspect that stood out.

What was the biggest challenge that caught you off guard when you sat down to write the LSAT?

My realization that I should not have had so much coffee before the test!

How much work experience did you gain before applying to law school? What opportunities did you pursue, and what helped you the most during the application process?

My work experience consisted of on-campus part-time jobs during college. I also was a substitute teacher part-time in the gap year between college and law school. I worked as a writer for the school newspaper for one year as well, which likely helped during the application process.

Did you have any setbacks or rejections during the law school admissions process, and what did you learn from those experiences?

I received a rejection from the University of Georgia’s School of Law. At the time, this was a disappointing setback. But over time, I have realized that it did not set me back at all. The experiences I had at the law school I attended and the lessons learned during my actual career have been more important.

If you received acceptance to multiple law schools, how did you decide between them? 

I chose the school that is in a location where I thought I wanted to live.

What led you to specialize in Social Security Disability and VA Disability Law? What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue your specialty? What activities/events/opportunities would you recommend for students wanting to pursue Social Security Disability and VA Disability Law?

I had some experience with Social Security Disability law in my first job as a Legal Services attorney. When my current firm advertised an opening for an associate attorney, I jumped at the opportunity to work in this area full-time. I would recommend talking with attorneys who focus on this area to hear as many perspectives as you can. Attending conferences for attorneys in this line of work can be helpful.

How do you think AI is affecting law school admissions?

I imagine that it is changing how some personal statements are written but I don’t have enough information to know.

What are some emerging fields of law that you would recommend potential students to start thinking about if they want to future-proof themselves in the industry?

It will be hard for AI to replace the personal connection that an experienced attorney can have with a client. Whatever the legal field, focus on your relationships with clients, referral sources, and members of the community.

What are the biggest sacrifices you’ve had to make to pursue a career in law?

Borrowing a huge amount of money to pay for law school.

Bonus question: How much would we have to pay you to take the LSAT again?

$10,000

‍

Juris Education is proud to interview experts like Patrick to help future lawyers understand the challenges and rewards of a legal career. Learn more about how our experts can help you get into law school today.

‍