Frank J. Garza - San Antonio, TX

Overview

Frank Garza is a shareholder of the firm, Chair of the Firm's Practice Management Committee and a member of the Firm's Shareholder Compensation Committee. He is Head of the Public Law, Utility and Environmental Section. He was educated at Trinity University (BA, 1983) and Catholic University Law School in Washington, D.C. (JD 1986).

He is licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas and has been licensed by the State Bar of Texas since 1987. He is a member of the International Municipal Lawyers Association, and has taught over ten Continuing Legal Education Courses in the areas of municipal law as well as employment law. Mr. Garza is an adjunct professor of Graduate studies classes at St. Mary's University entitled, "Ethics and Public Officials" and "Basics of Municipal Law".

Mr. Garza is a highly respected attorney who brings a wealth of experience especially in the areas of public law and employment law. He currently serves as City Attorney for the cities of Balcones Heights, Bulverde, Poteet, Sabinal, Terrell Hills and Karnes City. He serves as general counsel to various other governmental entities including Brooks Development Authority, City of San Antonio Civil Service Commission and City of San Antonio Police and Fire Civil Service Commission. He currently provides legal guidance to the cities of Tyler, Laredo, Leon Valley and Pearsall. As an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Dallas he provided legal representation to all city departments in the employee grievance and disciplinary process, as well as provided legal advice to all city departments in responding to claims and lawsuits involving labor and employment matters. During his tenure with the City of Dallas, Mr. Garza developed the sexual harassment policy, drug testing policy and related policies. He also provided training to City supervisors on the ADA, Sexual Harassment and FMLA and was lead counsel in over ten employment and civil rights jury trials. During this time, he argued on six occasions to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and twice to the State Court of Appeals, writing two Briefs in Opposition for Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court. He was responsible for briefing City Council on complicated employment matters.

In October of 1995, Mr. Garza joined the City Attorney's Office in San Antonio, Texas as First Assistant City Attorney. His primary responsibility was to assist the City Attorney in the overall management of the City Attorney's Office. He represented the City in litigation and legal proceedings and providing legal advice to the City Council, City Manager, department heads, boards and commissions and other City staff.

From April of 1997 to January 2002, Mr. Garza was named City Attorney to the City of San Antonio. As City Attorney, he managed the entire City's Legal Department, which included 125 employees, 54 being attorneys. He was directly responsible for advising the City Manager, City Council, staff members and other City officials concerning the legal duties relevant to their office. He prepared and administered the budget for the Legal Department, directly supervised six Division Chiefs in the management of the office, and was lead attorney on the city's most recent redistricting plan.