An Army brat, Ivan Bates followed his father into the military, serving at home and abroad with the 32nd Air Defense Artillery Command in Europe. He then attended Howard University, where he was elected Student Association President and graduated with honors in 1992. Inspired by Justice Thurgood Marshall, he pursued law at the College of William and Mary, working with the Black Law Students Association and later the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Ivan moved to Baltimore to take care of his Aunt Edna and found his home. After clerking for Judge David B. Mitchell, he became a Baltimore City prosecutor in 1996, rising through the ranks to the Homicide Division. In 2006, he founded the criminal defense firm Bates & Garcia, LLC, building it into one of the most respected practices in the region before being elected Baltimore City State's Attorney in 2022.

Assuming the office on January 03, 2023, Ivan sent a clear message to repeat, violent offenders that the time for games was over. If they continue committing crimes with illegal firearms they can “pack their toothbrush” because they would get serious jail time. As State's Attorney, Ivan kept his promises, rebuilding the office, expanding services for victims and creating a unit for older adults, while prioritizing the prosecution of thousands of repeat, violent offenders. Over his three-year tenure, violent crime has dropped and homicides in Baltimore reduced 60%, reaching its lowest level in over 50 years. While one homicide is one too many, Ivan's "smart on crime" policies are saving lives and making Baltimore safer.

Since Ivan Bates took office, the State's Attorney's Office has made historic reductions in violent crime and held people accountable for quality-of-life crimes. Ivan invested in community engagement across our city, especially serving the neighbors who have too often been ignored: victims, older adults, and those with disabilities.

Ivan believes we must be “smart on crime” to make Baltimore safer. He has used every tool and resource of the State's Attorney's office to bring down crime, while also successfully staying within budget. Under States Attorney Ivan Bates’ leadership, Baltimore City has had the lowest rate of homicides and non-fatal shootings in over 50 years. Ivan has prioritized bringing repeat violent offenders to justice – the small group of individuals who commit the most gun violence in Baltimore City.

State's Attorney Ivan Bates believes that individuals who commit quality of life crimes should be held accountable. Ivan reversed previous policies that called on law enforcement to not cite such crimes. His office developed a process that sentences violators to community service and connects them to helpful services. This measured approach improves our quality of life and makes Baltimore safer.

State's Attorney Ivan Bates understands the importance of community engagement. Working with and listening to neighborhood leaders is important for identifying public safety priorities and solutions. Ivan has also engaged with and advocated for victims of crime and older individuals – people  whose voices are too often ignored.