Famous as both a trial lawyer with board certification and a social psychology expert, Waites pioneered the study of the psychology of decision-making among members of courtroom juries. In 2004, he published a groundbreaking book titled Courtroom Psychology and Trial Advocacy.
After studying psychology and sociology at the University of West Georgia, he earned his J.D. from the University of Houston. After working as a trial lawyer for over a decade, he earned a doctorate in psychology from Walden University.
He provided legal analysis for PBS, CNN, ABC, Fox News, MSNBC, and Court-TV.
He spent his childhood in both Florida and Georgia. When he was just eleven years old and already fascinated by court proceedings, he was introduced by his father to a Georgia judge and began to regularly attend local trials.
He and former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta both had highly successful careers as trial attorneys.