03/24/2023
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is proud to introduce you to Xochitl Garcia, as part of our Annual Latinas in Business & Leadership spotlight series.
Xochitl M. Garcia is a family law attorney, small business owner, and community leader. She was born and raised in Kern County. She is a proud Arvin High Bear.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of La Verne (main campus). At ULV, Xochitl received a scholarship in debate. As a competitor on the university’s international debate team, Xochitl had the opportunity to travel the world. It was in law school where Xochitl first discovered an interest in the practice of family law. As a law clerk for a boutique law firm, JWB Family Law, she learned to appreciate the complexity of this area of practice. The intricate balance of navigating clients through some of the most emotionally charged and challenging parts of their lives through compassionate guidance, skilled negotiation, and (when necessary) aggressive litigation, grew from an interest to a passion.
In 2013, with the encouragement and support of her parents and local attorney mentors, Xochitl decided it was time to claim her place in the Kern County legal community by hanging her own shingle. In 2014, she partnered with family law attorney, Karen Gaul Wallace, to create Gaul Wallace Garcia. Upon Ms. Gaul Wallace’s retirement in 2016, XM Garcia Law was born.
Xochitl credits her parents for instilling in her a sense of responsibility and passion for serving and being an engaged member of this community.
Xochitl has served as President of the Kern County Bar Association, is a former Kern County Planning Commissioner, is currently serving on the board of directors for Latina Leaders of Kern County and CSUB’s Center for Social Justice, and is a founding member of the Immigration Justice Collaborative.
