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Chayanm “CJ” Garcia is not just an experienced commercial litigator at Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo (AALRR), but a tapestry of resilience and dedication. A US Army disabled combat veteran, a USC Marshall School of Business graduate, a father, entrepreneur, and mentor—his journey weaves through diverse realms of challenge and achievement.
Decorated for his valiance service (including a Bronze Star Medal) leading a platoon of infantrymen while deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, and having risen to the rank of captain and company commander, Garcia faced and overcame formidable challenges, including physical injuries and the ever-present echoes of PTSD. These experiences, far from slowing him down, have honed his strategic acumen and tenacity, making him a formidable presence in the complex and demanding fields of business and law.
Garcia’s journey to law was shaped by his profound understanding of the challenges faced by many in his community, particularly those with an early entanglement in the complexities of the juvenile justice system. Growing up in the barrios of Salinas, California, of mixed Korean and Mexican heritage, he often felt like an outsider in a landscape marked by gang rivalries and socioeconomic struggles.
His early life was characterized by constant movement—from Salinas to Jalisco, Mexico, back to California, in various communities like San Jose, San Bernardino, Bakersfield, and San Gabriel Valley—attending numerous high schools and experiencing a spectrum of hardships. Yet, these experiences forged in him a deep resilience and a commitment to change.
The decorated veteran and respected lawyer was recently back in Salinas for an AgroTech conference and returned to the neighborhood he was born into. “It might actually be worse than when I left,” says Garcia with a tired laugh. “It was strange to be driving around as a lawyer and having gone through what I’ve been through. I’m from the here. I’ll never forget that. None of us who are working to help others should forget where we come from.”
His story is one of perseverance, from sharing a one-bedroom apartment with construction workers who had recently emigrated from the Mexican pueblo he grew up in while being the only one in school, to delaying his military entry to support his younger sister, all while juggling jobs and community college, where he initially struggled but later excelled under the guidance of various mentors.
“None of us who are working to help others should forget where we come from.”
Chayanm “CJ” Garcia
“Fortunately, I found a great mentor who had been a professor at the UC and Cal State systems,” Garcia remembers. “He told me he was interested in my story and that he thought I had tremendous potential. He started teaching me about the college experience and how to apply for different grants and programs.”
Garcia’s academic journey took him to UC Santa Barbara on a full scholarship, where he joined ROTC and founded the Legal Education Association for Diversity (LEAD). This initiative has since guided hundreds of students, offering resources and insights into the legal profession.
After law school, Garcia volunteered to serve in combat-arms as a US army armor officer, driven by a sense of patriotism and gratitude. His service in Afghanistan, though marked by physical and psychological scars, further shaped his character and resolve.
“I know it may sound corny, but after the way I grew up, I felt grateful for where I was,” Garcia says. “It’s easy to criticize this country when you grow up with the privileges that most of us enjoy here, but I’ve been outside and not as a tourist. Thus, I’ve always felt a great amount of patriotism in my heart.”
Garcia’s tenure in Afghanistan, though not openly discussed in detail, profoundly shaped him as a lawyer and a leader. The experiences there, testing both his physical and mental fortitude, also underscored the invaluable camaraderie and teamwork of the men he led. He returned with a Bronze Star; his decorations speak of not just personal valor but also the collective spirit and sacrifice of his platoon, whose support and trust were pivotal to his success.
“My experiences might differ from yours. But in communities like ours, in each of our stories, there’s a core of resilience that can only guide us to a better place.”
Chayanm “CJ” Garcia
Transitioning from the military as a captain, Garcia carried these lessons of leadership and teamwork into his civilian life, excelling in the legal arena. He passed the California Bar exam in 2021 while still on active duty and completed his master’s degree in business. Now at AALRR, he channels these diverse experiences into his daily practice of commercial and complex litigation, where his unique blend of military leadership and legal acumen sets him apart.
More than anything, though, Garcia hopes that in sharing his story, he can offer a beacon of hope and inspiration to those in similar communities navigating their own mazes of uncertainty and adversity. It is possible to emerge stronger and more resilient, he affirms.
“What we fear the most is the unknown,” Garcia says. “But for people like us, people who have really struggled to get out of challenging circumstances or lead others through the same, there’s just no choice but to put one foot in front of the other.
“My experiences might differ from yours,” he continues, “but in communities like ours, in each of our stories, there’s a core of resilience that can only guide us to a better place.”
