Catherine's distinguished career began as a Registered Nurse after which she received degrees from Syracuse University including an MPA from the Maxwell School in Health Administration. A cum laude graduate of the law school at Syracuse, Catherine was inducted into the Justinian Honor Society and the Moot Court Board.

After law school, Catherine joined a large Central New York law firm and led its Medical Malpractice Defense Unit. The entrepreneurial spirit inspired her to venture out and she founded Gale & Dancks, LLC in 1997. Catherine is a well-seasoned trial attorney with an emphasis on representing health care providers in malpractice litigation, licensure issues, risk management and insurance coverage questions. Her extensive professional experience also includes defending individuals and corporations in claims involving medical device and pharmaceutical issues and the defense of catastrophic personal injuries.

Given Martindale Hubbels highest rating of "A" by her colleagues, Catherine is a member of numerous local and national professional organizations including the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Trial Advocates, Defense Research Institute and the American Health Lawyers Association. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York and the Board of Trustees of Cazenovia College, just to name a few of her community service commitments. She is a frequent lecturer and speaker for professional, legal and medical organizations, has been invited to give Grand Rounds to the Departments of OB/GYN and Orthopedics at University Hospital in Syracuse and has taught graduate level courses to law students and nurses at local colleges. Catherine is a designated early Neutral Evaluator for the Northern District Federal Court and is admitted in Pennsylvania as well as New York State.