Gary Coley

Judge Gary Coley is a highly respected former judge with over sixteen years on the bench and a dedication to resolving complex disputes. As the former Judge of the 74th District Court, he built a reputation for fairness, innovation, and leadership, earning the trust of the legal community through his ability to navigate challenging cases with clarity and precision.

In 2025, Judge Coley transitioned from the 74th District Court to focus on alternative dispute resolution, leveraging his extensive experience in mediation, arbitration, and private judging.

His judicial career spanned a broad range of legal matters, including commercial litigation, personal injury, medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, family law, and criminal law. At Cherry Johnson Siegmund James, he applies his vast legal knowledge to help parties reach efficient and equitable resolutions outside the courtroom. He also continues to serve as a visiting judge by assignment, bringing his deep legal expertise to various cases in Central Texas.

Judge Coley has been a leader in judicial innovation. He worked closely with local officials to develop impactful programs such as the McLennan Crossover Youth Project Model and the McLennan County Veterans Treatment Court, and co-founded the Heart of Texas Human Trafficking Coalition, a model for similar programs worldwide. He has also conducted training for judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement in Poland, Indonesia, and Nepal to combat human trafficking.

Beyond the bench, Judge Coley is a committed civic leader. He serves as an adjunct professor at Baylor Law, teaching Juvenile Justice and mentoring the next generation of legal professionals.

With over three decades of experience, Judge Coley brings a unique perspective and deep expertise to alternative dispute resolution, offering clients a trusted and effective path to resolving even the most challenging legal conflicts.

SCHEDULE YOUR MEDIATION / ARBITRATION

Review the calendar below for Judge Coley’s full or half-day mediation availability. Prior to booking, please confirm availability with all parties involved. This is a tentative booking and is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email from us.

For information regarding mediation fees, please contact Jenn Haring at 254.732.2242 or jharing@cjsjlaw.com.