Hon. Gary Coley

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. In the next phase of his legal career, he is applying 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 and problem-solving. 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. Additionally, Judge Coley served as Vice Chair and Commissioner on the Supreme Court of Texas Children's Commission. Through the Children’s Commission, he chaired the Legal Representation Committee and the Dual Status Task Force. 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 a trusted and effective path to resolving even the most challenging legal conflicts. Judge Coley married Renee, his high school sweetheart, in 1990, and they have three adult children.