learn about our history
Gary M. Galton is the founder of Accord Mediation, a dispute resolution firm. After more than 30 years in the private practice of law, Gary believes that mediation is an effective resource for managing conflict. His expertise is in business and corporate law, employment and labor relations, real property, construction, insurance, personal injury, trusts and estates, HOA issues and Native American Law.
Mr. Galton is a member of the Oregon and Washington State Bar Associations. He is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He was graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.S. Degree and the University of Oregon School of Law with a J.D. Degree. He endowed the Appropriate Dispute Resolution Program at the University of Oregon School of Law and served on its Advisory Board.
Mr. Galton was appointed to the Commercial, Labor, Employment Benefits and Mediation Panels of the American Arbitration Association. He fulfilled the requirements of the Dispute Resolution and Mediation Course of Riverside County and was the Coordinator of Mediation Program at the Palm Springs Courthouse. He completed the Advanced Mediation Skills Training at the Straus Institute of Pepperdine University School of Law.
Mr. Galton is the former administrator of the First Friday Settlement Conference Program for the civil docket at the Courthouse in Palm Springs. He has been designated as a Mediator, Arbitrator, Special Master and Referee in pending cases. He has been retained for consulting projects by the City of Rancho Mirage, College of the Desert, the COD Foundation and the Palm Springs Regional Board of Realtors.
Gary is married and enjoys tennis, traveling and investing. He was selected to be in the inaugural class of Leadership Coachella Valley. His community work is a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Family YMCA of the Desert, the Board of Directors of the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and Vice-Chair of the Board of Small Blessings. Prior spiritual service includes Elder, Trustee and member of the Endowment and Building Committees of Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church and Elder and Chair of the Building Committee of Cornerstone Covenant Church.