Quirk, Madeline

Clariza C. Garcia has been practicing law in California for over fifteen years. Her legal career began in the County Counsel's office of San Bernardino County in 1992 as a paralegal, and later a certified law student, while she was attending Western State University School of Law in Fullerton. She was hired as a Deputy County Counsel after passing the bar in 1997. She represented a variety of County Agencies in labor and employment, condition of public property, public services and Section 1983 actions.

Ms. Garcia's experience at the County Counsel's office led her to private firms where she honed her expertise in labor and employment issues for both public and private entities. She worked as an associate for five years for the firm of Chassman, Yang and Seelig in Los Angeles where she represented clients in labor and employment, workers' compensation, contract, Proposition 65, premises liability, and general business litigation in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate court levels. Clariza has diverse experience in law and motion practice, including filing many dispositive motions and appellate briefs, as well as in all aspects of discovery and negotiating settlements both with and without mediation. She also has significant experience supervising and directing junior associates.

Ms. Garcia moved to the Bay Area in 2005 and began working for Lafayette & Kumagai in San Francisco where she represented clients in labor and employment litigation in state and federal courts up to and including trial and appeal. Her clients included Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies and public entities in matters involving union and non-union employees. She also advised clients in personnel policy matters, and gained extensive trial preparation experience for clients such as AT&T, PG&E, Macy's, the University of California and the City of Oakland.

Ms. Garcia expanded her career to include work as a mediator in 2008. She has mediated matters for the Second District and Third District Courts of Appeal and various Superior Courts. Ms. Garcia worked for the firm of Otis, Cantil and Iriki in San Francisco where she handled complex litigation from the initial complaint or answer through litigation, trial preparation, trial, post-trial and appeal. She comes to Patton ♦ Wolan ♦ Carlise after returning to practice with Lafayette & Kumagai where she has continued working in the area of labor and employment litigation in state and federal courts, including trial and appellate work. Ms. Garcia has been working for this firm for less than one year and she is dedicated to providing excellent legal services to the County of Alameda.