Gary Sanders

About Gary

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area and practicing throughout Northern California, Gary Sanders mediates a wide array of business, civil, and trusts and estates disputes. Whether the matter is already in litigation or simply a deteriorating business or personal relationship, he’s sought after for his highly effective and practical approach to resolving conflicts.

Bringing wisdom to the negotiating table based on a 30-year career as an executive in companies ranging from small startups to the Fortune 500 across a range of industries, Gary understands the pressures, obstacles and opportunity costs of ongoing conflict and delayed resolution in the business context. Knowing that, often, issues festering well beneath the visible surface create the real obstacles to resolution, his approach seeks to fully understand the underlying personal and business drivers feeding the conflict and works patiently to bring the parties to mutual agreement.

Gary’s work as a court appointed Settlement Mentor was featured in the January 2023 issue of the Contra Costa County Bar Association’s monthly magazine, Contra Costa Lawyer. He has been included on the association’s “Pro Bono Honor Roll” each year since its inception in 2020 in recognition of his volunteer activities, both as a mediator and in the community. He has served as a moderator and panelist on mediation and negotiation topics for state and county attorney organizations.

Always prepared, Gary does his homework at the start of each engagement. He listens closely to what is being said (and notices what goes unsaid) and is able to connect with individuals from all walks of life.

Professional Appointments

• Settlement Mentor and Mediator for California Superior Courts, including in the following counties:

  • Alameda

  • Contra Costa

  • Fresno

  • San Mateo

  • Solano

  • Sonoma

In Contra Costa County, Gary is frequently assigned long-running cases by the Court as a Settlement Mentor and is a regular participant in the 'Day-of-Court' trial settlement program for the Superior Court in Alameda County.

• Federal Court, Eastern District of California

  • Voluntary Dispute Resolution Program (VDRP)​

• California Association of Realtors

  • Mediation Panel

• San Francisco Bar Association

  • Mediation Panel

  • Conflict Intervention Service (CIS)

Professional Activities

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• Alameda County Bar Association, Member

  • ADR Section, Executive Committee

  • Judicial ADR Committee, Member

• California Lawyers Association, Member

  • ADR Executive Committee

  • Litigation Section, Member

• Contra Costa County Bar Association, Member

  • Pro Bono Honor Roll, recognized each year since its inauguration in 2020

  • Contra Costa County Justice for All, 501(c)3 Foundation, Board of Directors

  • ADR Section, Executive Committee

• Bar Association of San Francisco Bar Associations, Member

• Children Rising, Board of Directors

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Publications and Speaking

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• Webinar moderator, Alameda County Bar Association; October 26, 2023

• Moderator, California Lawyers Association; October 23, 2023

• Presenter, Contra Costa County Bar Association PRO Group; October 17, 2023

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Credentials/Admissions

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• Steve Rosenberg Mediation, introductory and advanced mediation training

• Ron Kelly, arbitration certificate

• Kansas Bar Association, active member

Education

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• J.D., Washburn University School of Law

• B.S., B.A. Business Administration & Political Science, Kansas State University