Florentino Garza J.D. ’56

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Born to a poor family in Texas, Florentino Garza was orphaned at a young age. From life as a migrant worker, Garza rose to become a highly respected attorney and a prominent member of his community. Currently practicing law independently in San Bernardino, Garza has received some of the most prestigious honors that the law profession can bestow. He was named California’s Most Respected Lawyer by the California Bar Association, and he also received the San Bernardino County Bar Association’s John B. Surr Award for exemplifying the highest standards of the profession.

Garza is a past president of the San Bernardino County Bar Association and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an honor accorded only to one percent of attorneys in each state.

Garza has also been recognized for his community work. He served as the first chairman of the San Bernardino Human Rights Commission, and, last year, received the Institute for Social Justice Community Award for his outstanding contributions to the Hispanic community.

Garza has remained active with the UCLA School of Law through the school’s Alumni Association, the Chicano Law Alumni and the Dean’s Counsel. He is also a member of the UCLA Foundation Board of Trustees.

The embodiment of all that a successful attorney should be within his community, Florentino Garza has proved himself worthy of the highest professional recognition from his alma mater.