Breaking Barriers and Leading With Empathy

Dan Baldwin • June 3, 2024
a woman is on the cover of the orange county attorney journal

Contact

Lem Garcia Law, PC

1720 West Cameron Avenue, Suite 210

West Covina, CA 91790

(626) 337-1111

www.lemgarcialaw.com




Therese Garcia’s Impact at Lem Garcia Law

In the competitive world of personal injury law, Therese Garcia of Lem Garcia Law (LGL) stands out as a transformative figure. As the firm celebrates its tenth anniversary, her influence is evident in how LGL has redefined client relationships and set new standards for the industry.


Empathetic Leadership at Its Core

Therese Garcia, with her deep roots in public interest law, infuses a philosophy of empathy across Lem Garcia Law. This approach transcends mere understanding—it’s about deeply connecting with and anticipating the needs of clients, ensuring that every interaction is not just informed by genuine care and attention, but also enhances the representation they receive.


“Empathy is the cornerstone of justice. At LGL, we don’t just listen to our clients; we feel with them,” she says. “This connection does more than drive our success—it empowers us to tell our clients’ stories more effectively, capturing the true extent of their pain and suffering, and increasing their recovery.”


Under her leadership, LGL has revolutionized client onboarding and communication, establishing the firm as a beacon of trust and efficiency from the very first interaction. Her sharp legal skills, combined with unparalleled empathy, enable LGL to secure better outcomes by presenting each client’s case not just as a set of facts, but as a personal narrative that demands justice and fair compensation.


Lem Garcia’s Strategic Vision

While Therese Garcia improves client service and results through empathy, Lem Garcia sharpens LGL’s focus by dedicating the firm entirely to personal injury cases. This specialization ensures the firm excels in delivering top-notch representation.


He continuously enhances his skills by immersing himself in the latest legal strategies within the personal injury field. He keeps abreast of cutting-edge practices by regularly attending seminars, reading current literature, and engaging with industry leaders. He is excited to use advanced strategies to challenge insurance companies, pushing them to pay maximum compensation for their clients.


“By focusing only on personal injury, we can really sharpen our skills to provide superior service and results. Our deep dive into the field makes sure that our clients receive the most advanced legal strategies to date,” he says.


Therese Garcia’s expertise perfectly complements Lem Garcia’s strategic focus, which created a powerhouse team known for exceptional service and remarkable results. Their collaborative efforts have secured monumental settlements, including figures of $8 million, $3 million, $2.75 million, and multiple cases over $1 million, solidifying their status as leaders in the field.


Attorneys: Theresa Garcia and Lem Garcia


Redefining Client Experience

From its inception, LGL differentiated itself by placing an obsessive focus on the client experience—an uncommon practice in personal injury law back in 2014. Therese and Lem Garcia recognized early on that by elevating the level of service, they could influence the entire industry to shift toward better client care.


“We knew that if we could provide an exceptional experience along with outstanding results, not only would our clients benefit, but it would also push the entire industry to raise their standards,” Therese Garcia says.


This focus has paid dividends. Starting with zero clients and zero reviews, LGL has grown to handle thousands of cases, accumulating hundreds of five-star reviews along the way. Their success in providing five-star service has spurred competitors to improve their own client service, thereby elevating the industry as a whole.


A previous client, Lourdes Markeson, says, “They [LGL] were super attentive and always made themselves available to answer my questions and concerns. They communicated with compassion and empathy where I felt like a priority to them. When you’re in a lot of pain, unable to work and under financial stress, you want to feel the confidence that you’re in good hands. I would highly recommend Lem Garcia Law.” 


Empathy Extends to Staff and Work Culture

At LGL, empathy extends beyond client interactions and is deeply embedded in the firm’s work culture. Therese has cultivated an environment where staff well-being is a priority, recognizing that a supported and valued team is essential for delivering exceptional service. Every member of their staff is naturally caring and empathetic, a critical trait they prioritize during the hiring process. This ensures that their team not only excels in their roles but also truly connects with and understands the clients they serve.

“Creating an empathetic workplace is key to our success. We make sure that our team feels respected and supported so that they are empowered to give our clients the attention and support that they deserve. We have the best team—they truly care about others and feel their pain, which is fundamental in how we handle every case,” Therese Garcia says.


Community Impact and Advocacy

Beyond legal victories, Therese and Lem Garcia’s influence extends into the community. Her role as a Human Resources Commissioner for the City of West Covina and her involvement with various civic activities underscore her commitment to public service. LGL’s support for local schools, sports leagues, and scholarships exemplifies a deep-rooted belief in giving back and nurturing the community that sustains it.


“Our engagement in the community is an essential part of who we are as a firm. We believe that the practice of law is not only about winning cases but also about making a difference in the community. We want to improve the lives of people around us and make a more just society,” she says.


A Unique Perspective as Filipino-Americans

As Filipino-Americans, Therese and Lem Garcia have navigated the challenge of breaking cultural barriers in a field where representation is limited. Their success serves not only as an inspiration to other Filipino-Americans considering a legal career but also enhances the diversity within the legal community, enriching the profession with broader perspectives and experiences.



Ten years of partnership in life and law, Therese and Lem Garcia consider their greatest achievements to be their three children, Josephine, Simone, and Colette.


Looking Into the Future

Looking forward, LGL aims to continue its trailblazing approach to legal services. Therese Garcia views the next phase of growth as an opportunity to further cement LGL’s role as a beacon of client-centered service in the legal field.


“We are excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what a personal injury law firm can be. Our goal is to continuously improve and refine our services, not just for our clients, but to elevate the entire field,” she says.


The Garcias plan for steady and solid growth in the next five years. They are not on a quest for quick wins. Their focus is on providing the best client experience to people who need help, and from that they expect long-term success. They believe that sustained effort and persistence is what builds a lasting business. Their team concentrates on providing outstanding results and service one client at a time, rather than relying on aggressive advertising and marketing tactics.


They are also expanding the firm’s awareness efforts by creating more content online and in carefully-planned and extensive use of social media that is helpful, entertaining, and informative.


They believe that their firm’s brand equity and customer loyalty was built over time through consistent, high-quality service, which has led to sustainable growth from return clients and their referrals. Their previous clients are the firm’s organic brand ambassadors, which is more effective and less costly than billboards and exorbitant pay-per-click campaigns.


“Our mission is to not just practice law and deliver outstanding results and service. Our mission is to shape the future of the industry with a bold and empathetic approach to business, leadership, and community engagement. We don’t want to just be a success story, we want to be the blueprint for the next generation of law firm owners. I think there is nothing more rewarding than helping people,” Lem Garcia says.


A Legacy of Innovation and Empathy

Therese Garcia’s leadership at Lem Garcia Law is a testament to the power of combining professional excellence with a commitment to empathy. By focusing heavily on the client experience and satisfaction, LGL has not only set a new standard for legal services but has also prompted a broader industry shift towards more client-focused practices.

In an industry often characterized by heavy advertising and an impersonal approach, Therese and Lem Garcia have built a lasting legacy that champions the human side of law, ensuring that clients feel valued and supported throughout their legal journeys.


“They attentively listened to our story, displaying genuine empathy and a strong belief in advocating for the justice that was rightfully deserved. This support made us feel reassured and relieved, knowing that we had dedicated allies in our pursuit of justice,” says previous client H Perry. 


As LGL moves forward, it carries forward the dual legacy of outstanding legal outcomes and impactful client relationships, a model for future legal practices that prioritize service as much as success.

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