ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — A former client of the Yates Anderson law firm has come forward with serious allegations against founding partner Kris Anderson and partner Robert Walker, claiming he was billed more than $200,000 for legal services that he says were marked by broken promises, inadequate representation, and a profound lack of ethics.
The client, who spoke on condition of anonymity, detailed a series of events that began in 2021 during a business dispute with a former partner. He says he was referred to Kris Anderson while Anderson was a partner at the larger firm Clark Partington in Orange Beach. According to the client, Anderson assured him that the firm’s extensive resources would provide a significant advantage and promised not to bill for travel between Orange Beach and Mobile.
After the client had already paid over $100,000, he says Anderson left Clark Partington to start his own solo practice. The client claims that “everything he promised quickly fell apart.” He suddenly found himself being billed for travel, paralegal time, and administrative costs that were previously not charged.
“He took advantage of my vulnerable legal position and used my money to bankroll his new practice,” the former client told our newsroom. Despite Anderson bringing on a partner to compensate for the lack of big-firm resources, the client says “that partner never actually got involved.”
The client further alleges that throughout the case, Anderson refused to file even the most basic motions he requested and dismissed his input with disrespect. After allegedly draining him of nearly $200,000, Anderson withdrew from the case—a move the client says cost him an additional $12,000 for the motion to withdraw alone. The client says he was shocked to later learn that Anderson had hired his opponent’s lawyer as a partner at his new firm.
“I can personally attest to his severe lack of ethics and integrity,” the client said. “He is a dishonest, manipulative individual who prioritizes money over his clients.”
When asked about the Orange Beach City Council meeting video in which Mayor Tony Kennon delivered a harsh assessment of Anderson, the client said he “completely agreed” with the mayor’s characterization. The client believes Anderson “continues to exploit others the same way he did me.”
The allegations come amid public controversy surrounding Anderson and the Yates Anderson law firm. In February 2025, Anderson was involved in a heated exchange with Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon during a city council meeting, where the mayor called Anderson a “despicable individual” and accused him of “trying to act like Superman”. The confrontation occurred after Anderson filed a lawsuit on behalf of the owners of the Prosper Apartments complex, accusing the city of pushing an unconstitutional de-annexation plan to keep out low-income residents.
Public records show that Yates Anderson, LLC is located at 4851 Wharf Parkway, Suite D-230, in Orange Beach. The firm’s website and professional profiles list Kris Anderson as the managing partner of the Orange Beach office and Robert Walker as a partner. A court filing from July 2024 shows that Robert S. Walker, along with Kristopher O. Anderson and John Parker Yates, asserted an attorney’s lien on behalf of the firm in a federal case in the Southern District of Alabama.
The former client is now considering filing a formal complaint with the Alabama State Bar. When reached for comment, representatives for Yates Anderson did not immediately respond to requests for an interview or a statement regarding the allegations.
The former client did not identify the opposing lawyer by name, and it was not immediately clear whether that attorney is currently affiliated with the firm.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and no formal complaint has been confirmed with the Alabama State Bar.