About Breakwater

Rachel Bates is a dedicated estate planning attorney with a strong commitment to helping individuals and families secure their financial futures. Rachel focuses her practice on estate planning, probate and trust administration, business succession planning, charitable planning, and estate and gift tax return preparation. With a keen eye for detail and a compassionate approach, Rachel works closely with clients to navigate the complexities of the legal landscape, ensuring peace of mind through careful planning and thoughtful execution.

Rachel was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she grew up playing travel soccer, reading, and watching Boilermaker basketball. She went on to graduate from the University of Cincinnati in 2016 before earning her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2019. Since then, she has quickly built a reputation as a trusted attorney, earning recognition with a prestigious inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® "Ones to Watch" for Trusts and Estates in 2025 and 2026.

Licensed to practice law in both Florida and New Jersey, Rachel serves individuals and small business owners throughout Southwest Florida. She is actively involved in the community, including serving on the Board of Directors of Baby Basics of Collier County, Inc., a volunteer-run organization that provides free diapers to working families in need throughout Collier County.

In her free time, Rachel enjoys going to the beach with her husband and son, reading poetry, writing and playing pickleball.