John C. Yates is the chair of Technology Practice of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, an Atlanta-based law firm. John is one of the pioneers of the technology law field and has been practicing in this area for over 40 years.  His practice focuses on the legal representation of leading technology and tech-enabled companies, including venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and public offerings.

He serves on the editorial board of leading technology publications, and his articles have been cited in numerous publications, including by the U.S. Supreme Court in Kodak vs. Image Technical Services. He is a co-author of articles published in The Law and Business of Computer Software and The Handbook of Business Management. John is frequently quoted in business publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and the Atlanta Business Chronicle. John has also been recognized in a Harvard Business School case study ("Ockham Technologies: Living on the Razor's Edge") as a leading lawyer representing fast-growth companies.

John has co-founded and is a member of the Board of Directors of leading technology organizations, including the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and Technology Executives Roundtable (TER).  He has also co-chaired the Technology Council of the Metro Atlanta Chamber.

He serves on various Boards of the Woodruff Arts Center, Carter Center, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Atlanta Master Chorale, and CURE Childhood Cancer.  He is the President-Elect of the Atlanta Rotary Club (2023-24).

As a public speaker, John has delivered more than 250 speeches during his career. He has spoken at annual technology and computer law seminars sponsored by the Georgia Bar Association, North Carolina Bar Foundation, Minnesota Computer Law Institute, and American Bar Association's Section of Science and Technology.

John is currently co-authoring a book, The Art of Digital Business Friendship, and delivered a TEDx talk on this topic in June 2022. He is a columnist for various online technology and legal publications and has been selected as a "Georgia Super Lawyer" in the fields of Business/Corporate (Technology).

John received his B.A., magna cum laude, in 1978 from Duke University and J.D. in 1981 from Duke University. He serves on the Board of Visitors of the Duke University Law School where he is also a guest lecturer and on the Furman University Board of Trustees.

John and his wife, Ellen, have one son, Paul.