John S. Garcia is a founding partner of the law firm Garcia & Villarreal, P.L.C.

Mr. Garcia was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona. He attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, earning a bachelor's degree in agricultural and resource economics in 2000 and a Juris Doctorate degree in 2003.

Mr. Garcia primarily focuses his practice on representation of the business client in many, if not all, facets of his, her, or its business, including, but not limited to, formation of entities (corporations, limited liability companies, general and limited partnerships, and trusts), contract drafting and negotiation, finance work, private lending, real estate law, employment matters, estate and succession planning, creditor’s rights (including representation of creditors and landlords in U.S. Bankruptcy Court), litigation, foreclosures, etc.

Mr. Garcia has further represented clients before the following courts, tribunals, and/or agencies: Arizona Supreme Court, Arizona Court of Appeals; U.S. District Court; U.S. Bankruptcy Court; local Superior, Justice, and Municipal Courts; U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals; Arizona Registrar of Contractors; Arizona Department of Real Estate; Arizona Department of Financial Institutions; Arizona Corporation Commission; Industrial Commission of Arizona; U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission; and local zoning enforcement boards.

Mr. Garcia is committed to providing his clients with personal, first-rate service and attention; providing effective and diligent legal representation and preventative counseling; and zealously protecting his clients’ interests and seeking redress for the acts or omissions of others.

Mr. Garcia strives to fulfill these core principles by promoting open communications with his clients; advising and counseling his clients on their legal options; and empowering his clients by enabling them to make an informed decision on the best course of action to fit their legal needs and personal preferences.

Representative Transactions or Litigation Cases:

$3,478,910.19 Judgment on Commercial Loan Case Following Trial and for Replevin of Collateral

Volume Collections on Multi-Million Dollar Portfolio of Non-Performing Debt

Options on Thousands of Acres of Real Property With An Aggregate Option Price In Excess of $200 Million

Private Offering of Exempt Restricted Securities In Connection With Real Estate Transaction (In Addition To Other Separate Transactions)

Development of Various Shopping Centers and Commercial/Industrial Parks

Various Real Estate Transactions (Purchase, Sale, Exchange, Option, and/or Financing) Involving Ranches, Farms, State Leased Land, Industrial Property, Commercial Property, Residential Property (From Relatively Nominal In Value to In Excess of $6,000,000)

Transfers of State Leases on Real Estate, and Water Delivery Contract/Rights

Work Out Negotiations Involving Credit Facilities Ranging From $500,000 to In Excess of $18,000,000

Non-Judicial Foreclosures (Trustee’s Sales) of Real Estate Collateral on All Types of Real Estate

Non-Judicial/Self-Help Remedies Exercised on Behalf of Creditors: Uniform Commercial Code Remedies, Commercial Evictions, Exercise of Assignments of Rent, Etc.

Litigation of Claims of All Varieties: Breach of Contract, Conversion, Fraud, Defamation, Judicial Dissolution of Entities, Declaratory Relief, Interference With Contract or Expectancy, Receivership, Judicial Foreclosure, Deficiency Claims, Specific Performance, Replevin, Accounting, Quiet Title, Partition, Etc.

Regular Post-Judgment Collection Activities: Debtors Examination, Garnishment, Execution, Judgment Liens, Etc.

Creditor Representation in Bankruptcy (Chapters 7, 11, 13) on Matters Such As Protecting Landlords’ Interests, Prosecuting Motions To Lift Stay, Defending Against Adversary Proceedings (e.g., Preference Actions), Protecting Secured Creditor’s Interests, Filing Proofs of Claim, Etc.

AREAS OF PRACTICE:

• Real Estate Law
• Business Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Creditor’s Rights
• Bankruptcy Law (Creditor Representation Only)
• Civil Appeals
• Trusts and Estates
• Construction Law
• Estate Planning

EDUCATION:

University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law - Juris Doctorate, 2003

University of Arizona, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics, 2000

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Yuma County Bar Association (Past President)

Yuma Community Foundation, Advisory Board (Past Chairman)

Hospice of Yuma, Past Member of the Board of Directors

AEA Federal Credit Union, Chairman, Advisory Board

Student Tuition Association of Yuma (Board Member)

St. Francis School Dad's Club (Board Member)

City of Yuma, Hearing Officer for Zoning Cases

Arizona Community Foundation, Professional Board of Directors (Past Board Member)

Yuma Endowment Project, Member

Yuma School District No. 1, Strategic Planning Committee (2009 Member)

Yuma County Summit on Growth Management (Past Participant)

Southwest Arizona Futures Forum, Recorder (Participant Multiple Years)

Yuma Business Direct (Past Frequent Author of Legal Column)

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES:

State Bar of Arizona

Notary Public (Arizona)