Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
7 Client Reviews
PRO
Melinda Garcia
Virtual Consultation Available
About Melinda
Biography
Melinda Garcia is the Managing Shareholder at the Garcia & Gurney law firm, where she focuses on providing businesses with the legal assistance and advice they need to compete.
As a litigator, Ms. Garcia regularly appears in California state courts and private forums such as arbitrations and mediations. As a transactional lawyer, Ms. Garcia has the expertise to competently advise businesses regarding employment issues, intellectual property, business organization, real estate acquisition, commercial leasing, mergers and acquisitions, international business transactions, and other matters.
Ms. Garcia is known for her keen business sense and her ability to provide practical, effective legal solutions for both businesses and individuals. Ms. Garcia believes in learning as much as possible about her clients' business needs and operating environment. She is also a firm believer in sharing her knowledge with her clients and others.
Ms. Garcia has educated business owners all over California with her popular lecture, "The Ten Things Every Small Business Owner Should Know." She has also taught continuing legal education courses on the formation, taxation, and operation of Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships in California. She was the keynote speaker for the San Francisco Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and has spoken before various other business organizations.
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Ms. Garcia maintains a deep commitment to community service. For three years, she served as a Director and Chair of the Axis Community Health Foundation, which provides health services to the indigent. She is on the advisory board of the San Jose Regional Medical Center and coached the successful Amador Valley High School Honors Mock Trial Team for five years. Ms. Garcia was Treasurer of the Las Positas College Foundation and was on the Board of Directors for four years.
Ms. Garcia has been repeatedly recognized for her contributions to the legal and business communities of the Bay Area. In 2011, she received the Women Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Women's Initiative for Self-Employment. In 2008, Ms. Garcia was one of three finalists in Hispanic Business Magazine's Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for Entrepreneurial Excellence in the Latina Entrepreneur category. In 2006, she was featured in the Tri-Valley Herald newspaper, and in an "Up Close" feature in the East Bay Business Times. In 2004, Ms. Garcia was named to the top "40 Under 40" list of business persons by the East Bay Business Times. In 1999, she received a Santa Clara University Alumni Award.
Ms. Garcia holds degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and the Santa Clara University School of Law. She was selected to participate in the Honors Moot Court, the Hispanic National Moot Court, the Santa Clara University Law School Trial Team, and the American Bar Association Negotiation Team.
Education:
- J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law (1999)
- B.A., University of California at Berkeley (1995)
- California State Courts
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- State Bar of California (Employment, Litigation, Business and Real Property Sections) (Standing Committee for LLCs and Partnerships for the Business Law Section of the State Bar 2010-2012)
- American Bar Association
- Santa Clara County Bar Association
- Eastern Alameda County Bar Association
- Contra Costa County Bar Association
- Hispanic National Bar Association
- National Association of Women Business Owners
- Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce
- Livermore Chamber of Commerce
Intelligent and Business Skilled Attorneys Dedicated To Protecting your Business Interests.
Intelligent and Business Skilled Attorneys Dedicated To Protecting your Business Interests.
Intelligent and Business Skilled Attorneys Dedicated To Protecting your Business Interests.
Intelligent and Business Skilled Attorneys Dedicated To Protecting your Business Interests.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Business
45%
26 years
Employment and Labor
45%
26 years
Real Estate
10%
26 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
40%-45%
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in Texas for 10 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 2015
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 25 years
State: California
Acquired: 2000
No misconduct found
Location
Garcia & Gurney, A Law Corporation
6600 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 200, Pleasanton, CA, 94566
garciagurney.comGallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Melinda online.
Melinda Garcia's Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Mary | March 31, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
CEO/Owner
Ms. Garcia helped me with a delicate personnel issue. She was professional, knowledgeable and worked with me to find the right solutions to protect me and my company. She works well with her team of paraprofessionals and ensures that the issue is resolved in a timely manner. Her attention to detai...
Posted by Carol | June 27, 2012 | Employment & Labor
Employment agreements
Melinda provided me excellent advice in resolving an employment agreement related to an acquisition of the company I worked for. She is very knowledgeable, asked me what I wanted to achieve with her services, provided excellent service to achieve those goals, and was very cognizant of fees. I recom...
Posted by Robert | June 12, 2011 | Employment & Labor
High Integrity and Pro-Active = Melinda Garcia
Melinda provided excellent guidance with an employment/compensation case. Her knowledge of employment law, and strong negotiation skills, brought the case to a successful conclusion.
Posted by Geanna | June 03, 2011 | Corporate & Incorporation
Professional, knowledgeable, integrity = Melinda Garcia
Melinda has done an excellent job assisting us as we established our small business. From incorporation to contract negotiations, Melinda and her staff were outstanding.
Melinda Garcia's Lawyer Endorsements
"Melinda is an expert in employment and business law. She cares about her clients and takes time to understand their businesses and their needs. I referred one of my closest friends to her and Melinda has performed exceptionally well, particularly as it relates to managing the international aspects of that matter. I highly recommend her."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. We met when her firm moved into our building and since then we have discussed several employment related issues/concerns. Her high level of knowledge and expertise in this area is clear and she also has excellent advocacy skills. A true advocate for her clients."
"I first met Melinda Garcia through a networking group and joined a committee with her. I have been extraordinarily impressed with Melinda's sound judgment, attentive responsiveness to her clients and colleagues, her legal acumen and her law firm. I have and will continue to make referrals to Melinda and her firm."
"I endorse this lawyer.I have been practicing law for 37 years. When it became necessary for me to seek the counsel of a business lawyer, I contacted one of the most prestigious law firms in the San Francisco bay area for guidance. I was referred to Melinda Garcia of Garcia & Gurney, Pleasanton. Ms. Garcia is, without question, a lawyer’s lawyer. Her guidance in complex business transactional matters has been indispensable. She has an unflinching command of the law, an easy going, yet fiercely intelligent approach to solving complex business and tax problems, and is a pleasure to work with."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melinda is smart and diligent with great attention to detail, not to mention a true advocate for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have referred many clients to Melinda for their business needs. She is a bright, experienced, diligent and creative attorney. I endorse her!"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Exceptionally talented and hard working. Melinda has been a valued collaborator on several high value matters involving complicated business law cross-over issues. Her commitment to her clients, and their cases, is noteworthy. I endorse this lawyer."
"Melinda Garcia epitomizes the term knowledgable professional. It is with confidence I have personally referred numerous clients over the years for assistance with various matters such as corporate law, employment matters, as well as various other civil matters. It has also been my honor, as well as my privilege, to co-counsel with her. Ms. Garcia is top notch in all aspects, on all levels, and I can not recommend her highly enough."
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Experience
Honors
2022
Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2021
Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2021
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyers of America
2020
Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Woman Entrepreneur of the Year (Professional Services Category), Women's Initiative of Oakland
2008
Finalist-Entrepreneur of the Year, Hispanic Business Magazine
2004
Top 40 Under 40 in the San Francisco Bay Area, East Bay Business Times
Work Experience
2005 - Present
Shareholder, Garcia and Gurney, A Law Corporation
2003 - 2005
Partner, Garcia and Haskett LLP
2001 - 2003
Attorney, Castleman Law Firm
2000 - 2002
Attorney, Bowman and Brooke LLP
Associations
2016 - Present
Latino Business Action NetworkMember
2007 - Present
State Bar Employment Law SectionMember
2004 - Present
Santa Clara County Bar AssociationMember
2004 - Present
Eastern Alameda County Bar AssociationMember
2004 - Present
Hispanic National Bar AssociationMember
2004 - Present
Alameda County Bar AssociationMember
2004 - Present
State Bar Business Law SectionMember
2000 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2018 - 2021
Western Regional Minority Supplier CouncilFormer Director
2009 - 2012
State Bar of California, Business Law SectionStanding Committee Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies
2008 - 2011
American Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Employer Wage/Hour Defense
Settled dispute for less than 40% of what Plaintiff demanded.
Executive Compensation Negotiation
Client pleased with compensation and benefits
Executive Employee Wrongful Termination
Settlement - Client pleased
Real Estate Partnership Dispute
Client Pleased with Settlement
Shareholder Litigation
Client pleased with settlement
Education
2016
Stanford University School of Business
Stanford Latino Entrepreneurs Program Certificate
2016
University of California - Berkeley
Certificate- Executive Education (Haas School of Business)
2014
UCLA, Anderson School of Management
Certificate
1999
Santa Clara University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1995
University of California - Berkeley
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2021
Negotiating Indemnification Provisions and Agreements
Preliminary Business Contract Negotiation Necessities Tips and Tricks
2018
MCLE Program
Minority-Owned Frims
2016
Business Succession Planning
Legal Exit Strategies for Companies
2015
Getting Ready for 2016 - New Laws
California Whistle Blower Law Update
2014
New Employment Laws 2015
Minimum Wage Changes
2014
Managing the Employment Life Cycle
Selection of Employees, Performance Improvement
2013
Advising Small Businesses
Employment Laws You Need to Know
2011
Advanced LLC Issues
Walking the Ethical Line
2009
Exit Strategies for Small Business Owners
Exit Strategies for Small Business Owners
2008
LLCs, LLPs and Partnerships Organization and Operation
LLCs, LLPs and Partnerships Organization and Operation
2008
Business CLE, San Francisco
Advanced LLC Issues
2007
NBI Seminar
Essential Skills To Drafting LLC Agreements
2006
World Trade Club SF Dinner
10 Things Every Business Owner Should Know
Publications
2021
National Business Institute- Negotiating Indemnification Provisions and Agreements
Preliminary Business Contract Negotiation Necessities, Tips and Tricks
2014
California Lawyer Magazine
Is Change on the Horizon?
2014
The Suit Magazine
Complications of Employment Law
2013
Advising Small Businesses (National Busienss Institute)
Employment Laws You Need to Know
2011
Advanced LLC Issues-NBI National Business Institute
Walking the Ethical Line
2008
National Business Institute Seminar
Drafting Operating Agreements for LLCs
2008
2007
National Business Institute Seminar
Essential Skills To Drafting LLC Agreements
Languages
Spanish
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Use of Past Salary Justification for Pay Disparity Says California Court
05 Dec 2017
Legal Guide
How to respond to a government audit of your employment records
11 Oct 2017
Legal Guide
Contract Worker vs. Employee: Pleasanton Businesses Must Know the Difference
08 Aug 2017