Richard G. Garza
Practice Areas
Experience
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Background Checks
- Discrimination & Harassment Claims
- Employee Whistleblower & Retaliation Claims
- Employment & Governmental Investigations
- Employment Policies, Procedures, & Handbooks
- Employment Practice Audits
- Hiring, Performance Management, & Termination
- Labor & Employment Appellate
- Labor & Employment Litigation
- Labor Management & Traditional Labor Relations
- Non-Compete Issues
- Staffing, Independent Contractors, & Contingent Workers
- Trade Secrets
- Unfair Competition & Trade Secrets
- Wage & Hour
- Workplace Ethics, Compliance, & Investigations
- Workplace Safety & Health
- Workplace Training
Biography
Richard G. “Rick” Garza’s practice since 1987 has focused on representing employers in all aspects of employment-related matters, including formulating and drafting of employment contracts and policies and representing employers in administrative/investigation proceedings, state and federal trial and appellate courts. Rick’s depth of experience makes him a valuable resource to assist employers assess risk and formulate plans on how to deal with day-to-day employment issues. He also uses this base of experience to spearhead employment-related due diligence in corporate mergers and acquisitions.
Education
B.A., St. Mary’s University
J.D., St. Mary’s University School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for the Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
Professional Certifications
Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Litigation – Labor & Employment, 2019-2026
- Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers, 2020-2025
- “Best S.A. Lawyers” List, San Antonio Scene, 2007, 2009, 2012-2014, 2017-2024
- Employment Litigation: Defense
- Labor & Employment
- State Bar of Texas
- Labor and Employment Law Section
- Litigation Section
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 “Lawyers of the Year” and 106 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.
Attorney News • August 21, 2025
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 15, 2024
‘Scene in S.A.’ Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 “Best S.A. Lawyers” List
Jackson Walker congratulates the 44 practicing attorneys in the San Antonio office who were included in Scene in S.A.’s 2023 “Best S.A. Lawyers” list. In its 19th year, the “Best S.A. Lawyers” list presents attorneys across 80 distinct practice areas who were nominated by fellow licensed, practicing attorneys of Bexar County.
Attorney News • September 18, 2023
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 17, 2023
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Attorney News • August 18, 2022
‘Lawdragon’ Lists 15 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among 500 Leading Lawyers in Environmental, Energy, and Employment Law
Jackson Walker announces the selection of 15 attorneys to Lawdragon‘s list of the 500 leading practitioners in environmental and energy law and corporate employment law.
Attorney News • November 16, 2021
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Attorney News • August 19, 2021
‘Scene in S.A.’ Recognizes 38 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2021 “Best S.A. Lawyers” List
In its 17th year, the “Best S.A. Lawyers” list presents attorneys across 80 distinct practice areas who were nominated by fellow licensed, practicing attorneys of Bexar County. The survey takes the voters for each attorney into account, including where the voter works, their practice area, and how many years they have practiced.
Attorney News • July 14, 2021
Jackson Walker Congratulates 12 Attorneys Named to 2020 Lawdragon 500 Lists
Jackson Walker announces the selection of 12 attorneys to Lawdragon‘s lists of the 500 leading practitioners in Restructuring & Insolvency and Corporate Employment. Honorees are selected based on demonstrated leadership in their practice areas and the noteworthy matters they have handled particularly within the past year.
Attorney News • December 18, 2020
Bexar County Continues Restrictions and Imposes Closure of Bars to Mitigate COVID-19
On December 8, 2020, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff issued Executive Order NW-18 regarding efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. NW-18 rescinds all previous Bexar County Executive Orders and any Supplemental Executive Orders and will be in force until fourteen (14) days following the termination of the state-wide public health emergency declared by Texas Governor Greg Abbott on March 13, 2020 unless extended, modified or terminated early by Judge Wolff.
Insights • December 11, 2020
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Litigation – Labor & Employment, 2019-2026
- Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers, 2020-2025
- “Best S.A. Lawyers” List, San Antonio Scene, 2007, 2009, 2012-2014, 2017-2024
- Employment Litigation: Defense
- Labor & Employment
Community Involvement
- State Bar of Texas
- Labor and Employment Law Section
- Litigation Section
Practice Areas
Experience
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Background Checks
- Discrimination & Harassment Claims
- Employee Whistleblower & Retaliation Claims
- Employment & Governmental Investigations
- Employment Policies, Procedures, & Handbooks
- Employment Practice Audits
- Hiring, Performance Management, & Termination
- Labor & Employment Appellate
- Labor & Employment Litigation
- Labor Management & Traditional Labor Relations
- Non-Compete Issues
- Staffing, Independent Contractors, & Contingent Workers
- Trade Secrets
- Unfair Competition & Trade Secrets
- Wage & Hour
- Workplace Ethics, Compliance, & Investigations
- Workplace Safety & Health
- Workplace Training