Legal lessons
by Catherine Deyarmond
When Gracie Garcia (J.D. ’17) began attending the St. Mary’s University School of Law, the then-20-year-old had neither lawyers in her family nor experience in law. The idea of figuring out her future legal vocation was daunting until an affinity for certain courses eventually led to her career with Jackson Walker in Fort Worth. Her work fits into what is colloquially called Big Law, the largest and most prestigious law firms in the country.
“I loved the trial and appellate types of courses. They just clicked for me,” Garcia said. “I took more than was required. That is when I started thinking that litigation would be my best option.”
During law school, Garcia served as a law clerk for Chief Justice Rebeca C. Martinez, J.D., at the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio. She also interned for the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Fort Worth.
“It all went hand in hand,” she said. “I felt comfortable with what I was learning in class and what I was learning during my internship.”
A start in litigation
After graduating and passing the bar, Garcia became a litigation associate at Kelly Hart in Fort Worth.
After three years in their litigation practice group, she joined Jackson Walker in its Dallas office before an opening a year later allowed her to move back to her hometown of Fort Worth.
At Jackson Walker, Garcia is a versatile trial attorney who serves an array of clients, from individuals to businesses in the public and private sectors. Garcia helps settle general business disputes involving claims, such as breach of contract, negligence and fraud; real-estate disputes involving purchase and sale contracts, lease agreements and construction contracts; and lender-related disputes involving the enforcement and collection of financial obligations.
She also has experience defending against claims involving personal injury, employment and insurance.
“The support I found at St. Mary’s helped guide my decision to go into litigation. I found the best career for me.”
— Gracie Garcia (J.D. ’17)
Lessons learned
Garcia said St. Mary’s law professors prepared her to enjoy a successful litigation career.
Colin Marks, J.D., Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Ernest W. Clemens Professor of Law, taught Garcia commercial business dispute courses, such as contracts and secured transactions.
“I learned so much from him that I have even reached out to him now as an attorney to ask his opinion,” Garcia said.
She said she also remembered Professor of Law John Teeter Jr., J.D., who taught torts. “I didn’t think that the personal injury aspect was what I wanted to do, but the nuances that play into litigation were concepts I understood and felt comfortable with,” she said. “I found I really loved torts.”
Garcia said she is grateful for her time at St. Mary’s, and everyone who helped her while she was there. “The support I found at St. Mary’s helped guide my decision to go into litigation,” she said. “I found the best career for me.”
