Hon. Gary Coley

Waco, TX

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.

Education  +-

  • Baylor University School of Law
    JD
    1993
  • Texas A&M University
    B.B.A
    1990

Experience  +-

  • Cherry Johnson Siegmund James
    Of Counsel
    2025 - Present
  • Visiting Judge by Assignment
    Visiting Judge
    2025 - Present
  • State of Texas - 74th District Court
    District Judge
    2009 - 2025
  • Baylor School of Law
    Adjunct Professor
    2000 - 2004, 2018 - Present
  • Frederick & Coley
    Partner
    1998 - 2008
  • McLennan County District Attorney's Office
    Assistant District Attorney
    1994 - 1997
  • Smith County District Attorney's Office
    Assistant District Attorney
    1994

Memberships/Affiliations  +-

  • American Board of Trial Advocates - TEX-ABOTA
    President of Waco Chapter
    2017
  • American Inns of Court, Judge Abner V. McCall Chapter
    President
    2016 - 2017
  • Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families
    Vice Chair
    2021 - 2022
  • Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families
    Commissioner
    2016 - 2022
  • Heart of Texas Human Trafficking Coalition
    Co-Founder
    2014 - 2024
  • Waco-McLennan County Bar Association
    Member
    1995 - Present
  • McLennan County Veterans Treatment Court
    Co-Founder/Presiding Judge
    2019 - 2024
  • McLennan County Crossover Youth Project Model
    Co-Founder/Judge
    2012 - 2023
  • Texas Center for the Judiciary
    Benchbook Committee
    2014
  • Texas College for Judicial Studies
    Curriculum Committee
    2013
  • McLennan County Juvenile Board
    Chair
    2009 - 2023
  • McLennan County Challenge Academy
    Chair
    2009 - 2023

Honors/Awards  +-

  • Serjeant of the Inn Award - American Inns of Court, Judge Abner V. McCall
    2025
  • Resolution for Distinguished Service - State Bar of Texas
    2023
  • Judicial Innovation & Leadership Award - Texas CASA
    2022

Seminar/Speaking/Authoring  +-

PRESENTATIONS

The following list does not include the countless speaking engagements through the various professional activities noted previously.

Baylor University School of Law, People's Law School, 2017 - 2025;

Heart of Texas Human Trafficking Coalition Meetings, Facilitator, 2017 – 2023

The Judge’s Role in Prevention & Pre-Petition Legal Representation, Child Welfare Judges Conference, 2022;

A Holistic Approach to Serving Dual Status Youth, NCJFCJ Juvenile Justice Conference, 2021; WHO are Dual Status Youth?, Child Protection Court Dual Status Training, 2021;

Breaking News – Current Events in Juvenile Law, TEX-ABOTA, Waco Chapter, TLS, 2019;

Expert Witnesses: How to Qualify and Disqualify Experts in the CPS Case, Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission Trial Skills Training, 2017 – 2024 (co-presenter);

Crafting Your Opening Statement, Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission Trial Skills Training, 2017 – 2024 (co-presenter);

Presenting a Strong Closing Argument, Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission Trial Skills Training, 2017 – 2024 (co-presenter);

TEX-ABOTA Civility Matters Panel, Baylor Law School Practice Court Program, 2016 – Present;

2025 03 20 Coley, Gary Pic