Katherine Gallo is an expert in complex discovery issues, actively involved in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a court-appointed Special Master, Discovery Referee and Private Mediator in Northern California since 1994. Ms. Gallo is known for her extensive discovery seminars, in house discovery training, and go-to articles on the discovery process.

Proven Track Record. Ms. Gallo has served as a court appointed or party selected private Discovery Referee or Special Master in over 200 hotly litigated and/or class action matters concerning business, construction defect (including lines and construction operations losses), insurance, employment (including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and wage and hour claims), elder abuse, real property (including eminent domain, easements, and commissions), Lemon Law, personal injury and family law, many with multiple party litigants. Well known to the judiciary, her court appointments in complex matters have come from the Superior Courts of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Sonoma.

Ms. Gallo has extensive experience as a Pro Tem Settlement Judge or private mediator, with a settlement rate in excess of 90%.

Extensive Experience. Ms. Gallo has extensive experience including serving as Research Attorney for the Law and Motion Departments of the Alameda and San Mateo County Superior Courts, giving her a unique perspective on court process. Her responsibilities included all discovery motions as well as mediation of ongoing complex discovery disputes. She serves regularly as a Pro Tem Settlement Judge, Court Ordered Arbitrator and as a Private Mediator. As a trial attorney, Ms. Gallo managed a full case load of personal injury, product liability and commercial litigation matters.

ADR and Arbitration Panels. Ms. Gallo has been selected to serve on the ADR Panels for the Superior Courts of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. She serves on the Arbitration Panels for the Superior Courts of Alameda and San Mateo Counties.

Education. Ms. Gallo is a graduate of the McGeorge School of Law of the University of the Pacific with an emphasis on Labor Law. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine.

Professional Affiliations and Memberships. Ms. Gallo was called upon by the California Judicial Council to Chair its Form Interrogatories Committee. She is a member of the San Mateo Bar Association and has served on its Complex Litigation Committee, the ADR Committee, the Bench and Bar Committee, Chair of the MCLE Committee, and Chair of the Membership Committee. She is a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, serving on both the Civil Practice and ADR Committees. She serves on the ADR Committee and the ADR Panel of the Alameda County Superior Court. Member, Distinguished Neutrals.

Special Training. Ms. Gallo has well over 100 hours of specialized training in Mediation and Conflict Resolution, including Ethics and Fairness Training for Pro Tem Judicial Officers. She has also completed three day courses in “Mediating Complex Construction Disputes” and “Mediating the Complex Case,” offered by the Strauss Institute at Pepperdine University.

• Representative Discovery Referee Cases
• Types of Mediation Cases Resolved
• Resume (pdf)
• Seminars
• Articles