Founded in 1999 by Charles Bates and the late Halbert White, we are an economic consulting firm that offers advanced economic, financial, and econometric analysis and expert testimony to law firms, Fortune 500 companies, and government agencies. Established in Washington, DC and privately held, we have built our reputation on intellectual and analytical rigor, creativity, responsiveness, and practical know-how. Our professionals — most holding PhD or master's-level degrees — take a hands-on approach to develop a deep understanding of relevant industry, factual, and legal contexts. We complement our in-house expertise through an extensive network of leading academics and industry experts, many of whom have significant government agency experience.

We are economists, financial analysts, econometricians, and consultants who thrive on solving the most complex, data-intensive challenges facing today's decision makers. At Bates White, culture is not an afterthought — it is a founding principle. Our nine Guiding Principles empower, respect, and trust our people, value diverse skills and perspectives, and share risks and rewards across the firm. We foster a collaborative, entrepreneurial spirit where feedback is encouraged, mentorship is real, and every individual's career is treated as a long-term investment. From consultants to partners, everyone works side by side — in war rooms and client engagements — to deliver the highest quality results.

We deliver rigorous economic research and practical advice across five core practice areas: Antitrust & Competition, Energy, Environmental & Product Liability, Finance, and Healthcare & Life Sciences. Our expertise spans the full lifecycle of complex matters — from litigation and government investigation to regulatory proceedings and international arbitration. We collaborate with counsel to help clients achieve their strongest strategies and outcomes, providing expert testimony, consulting support, and settlement support that withstands the most intense scrutiny.

In a world of increasing legal complexity, clarity is the currency we value most. We exist to answer extraordinarily challenging questions with clear narratives guided by economic acumen and empirical, data-driven results. Our mission — set by our founders and carried forward every day — is to deliver rigorous, defensible economic analysis at the highest level, serving as trusted partners to attorneys, corporations, and government agencies navigating their most consequential matters.

Integrity, collaboration, and rigor are at the core of everything we do. Our founders established the firm with nine Guiding Principles that empower and respect our people, value diverse skills and perspectives, and share risks and rewards. Core values — integrity, respect, appreciation, and generosity — are not just words on a page; they are the way we interact every day and are applied to everything we do. We build strong, collaborative relationships with our clients, within our team, and in the community.

Our commitment to thoroughness, precision, and comprehensive analysis sets a new benchmark for rigor in economic consulting. We are consistently recognized for our ability to support opinions with sound economic theory and empirical analyses that withstand intense scrutiny. Our experts communicate clearly, succinctly, and persuasively to litigators, judges, juries, and government enforcers. We have been recognized by The Washington Post as a Top Workplace, named a Top 50 Consulting Firm by Vault, cited as a Top 21 Economics Firm by Global Competition Review, and ranked on the Newsweek Excellence Index. For clients, that means strategic consulting, proactive advice, and stellar service without compromising quality or scope of opinion.

Through our Community Connection program, employees decide which organizations to support and then find creative and impactful ways to raise money and lend a hand. Whether it's fielding teams in DC SCORES' soccer tournament, organizing safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, mentoring middle school students, or cleaning up the Anacostia Watershed, our people find ways to give back year after year. Organizations supported include Children's Law Center, Higher Achievement, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC.

We are committed to fostering a diverse workforce and an inclusive and welcoming culture. Through BWProud, our Engagement, Inclusion, and Diversity Council, the International Network, and the Women's Network, we host educational programs, networking opportunities, cultural celebrations, and community support initiatives. These efforts allow us to share cultural experiences, deepen our understanding of diversity-related issues, and strengthen working relationships. Programs include interactive discussions on gender-based issues, immigration challenges, language differences, and other topics that matter to our people.