Gates was the second person to serve as Chief White House Counsel under President Josiah Bartlet, following Cochran, but was soon replaced by Solomon. When President Bartlet pondered why White House Counsels did not last very long under him, Chief of Staff Leo McGarry said that Counsels agree to advise the President and then he "didn't let them in." ("Bad Moon Rising") Gates was never seen on screen, and was only mentioned after Lionel Tribbey and Oliver Babish had been introduced.