Bio
Mark Yates has more than 25 years of experience in legal education, academic leadership, and legal practice. He teaches Torts, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Constitutional Law and Remedies. Before returning to full-time teaching, he served as Dean of Golden Gate University School of Law, where he led academic and strategic initiatives, oversaw accreditation, and advanced curricular innovation, including the integration of artificial intelligence into legal education. He previously served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of Academic Success and Bar Services.
Prior to entering academia, Professor Yates practiced as a commercial litigator with Pillsbury Winthrop and as a Deputy Public Defender in Mendocino County. His scholarship focuses on legal education and legal writing. A three-time recipient of the Outstanding Professor Award, he earned his J.D., cum laude, from UC Hastings College of the Law (now UC Law San Francisco) and his B.A. with Highest Honors from UC Santa Barbara.