Most recently, he was assigned to the specialized Michigan Court of Claims, to deal with litigation involving governmental entities.
He served in two prestigious judicial clerkships, has held positions of significance outside of his judgeships, and has received numerous awards as a judge.
[16][17][5] In 2022, Yates was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to Michigan's 3rd District Court of Appeals, to replace Judge Jane Beckering.
"The judges assigned to the Court of Claims have extensive trial-court experience and bring rich insights and practical skills to trial-case management.
[1][2][11][25] In 2022, Yates received the Judicial Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Board of Trial Advocates.
The award "was established to recognize judges who have demonstrated the highest standards of judicial excellence in the pursuit of justice, while exemplifying courtesy, integrity, wisdom, and impartiality.
It is awarded to judges who best exemplify that which brings honor, esteem, and respect to the practice of law.
"[27] In 2019, he received the Hilda Gage Judicial Excellence Award from the Michigan Judges Association.