Attorney Melinda García leads the transactional practice group at García & Gurney, ALC. From a young age she developed an interest in the organization and growth of private companies. Ms. García has practiced in the areas of business and employment law since 2000. She regularly counsels companies in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, employment, executive compensation, intellectual property, international business transactions, formations, and commercial real estate transactions. She is also a Spanish speaking workplace investigator. 

She holds degrees from U.C. Berkeley, Santa Clara University School of Law, and a Certificate in the Management Development Entrepreneurship from Anderson School of Management and UCLA. Ms. García has also received certificates from the Stanford Graduate School of Business Latino Entrepreneur Program and the Haas School of Business (U.C. Berkeley) Venture Capital Executive Program.

Ms. García teaches continuing legal education courses on the formation, taxation, corporate sale and operation of corporations, limited liability companies and limited liability partnerships in California, as well employment law compliance in California and Texas. She prides herself on helping employers make workplaces compliant but still profitable. 

Ms. García is an AV rated attorney and enjoys a perfect “10.” peer rating from AVVO and was selected as part of the Top 10% of Lawyers practicing Employment Law by the Lawyers of Distinction for 2015-2019. In 2022 Ms. García was selected as an Elite Lawyer and in 2016, Ms. García won the WRMSDC Guardian Award. In 2011, the Women’s Initiative named her Entrepreneur of the Year in the Professional category. Ms. García is a member of the Association of Workplace Investigators, California business and employment law sections, the employment law section of the Texas State Bar Association, and the U.C. Berkeley Alumni Association.

Education:

• J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law (1999)
• B.A., University of California at Berkeley (1995)
• UCLA, Anderson School of Management, Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies (2014)
• Stanford Graduate School of Business Latino Entrepreneur Program (2016)
• Haas School of Business (U.C. Berkeley) Venture Capital Executive Program (2016)

Additional Languages:

• Spanish

Professional Associations/Memberships:

• State Bar of California (2000-Present)
• 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, 9th Circuit
• State Bar of Texas (2015)

Publications:

• Negotiating Indemnification, Reps, and Warranties in California, National Business Institute, (2021) 
• LLCs, LLPs and Partnerships Organization and Operation, Lorman (2008)
• Advanced LLC Issues, NBI (2008, 2011)
• Drafting Operating Agreements for LLCs, National Business Institute Seminar (2008)
• Essential Skills to Drafting LLC Agreements, National Business Institute Seminar (2008)
• Complications of Employment Law, The Suit Magazine (2014)

Speaking Engagements:

New Employment Laws for 2023, November, 2022
Negotiating Indemnification, Reps, and Warranties in California, National Business Institute, (2021) Continuing Legal Education Seminar
BASF Solo Conference/MCLE Program – Minority-Owned Firms
2018
Astra North California WBE Economic Development Summit
2017
Executive Skills and Traps for Managers (Private Client Event)
2017
Marijuana In the Work Place
2017
Managing Millennials
2017
Exit Strategies – Business Succession Workshop
2016
Managing Your Workforce
2016
Getting Ready for 2016: Employment Law Update
2015
Guide to Understanding Paid Sick Leave
2015
Managing Your Workforce in 2015
2014
Cleaning House; Getting Ready for 2014
2013

How to Stay out of Trouble in 2012 (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising)
2012
Management, Effective Performance & Terminations in the Workplace
2012