"In 1975, my parents and I came to America from Argentina.  I was 8 years old when we arrived in New York City.  My parents spoke no English.  I didn't speak English at home.  Nonetheless, my parents established themselves, and succeeded, realizing the great opportunities available in America."

Mariano Garcia's family moved to Florida in the late 1970s.  He attended the University of Florida where he graduated with a B.S. in Building Construction and went to work for Centex-Rooney Construction Company. Mr. Garcia obtained a general contractor's license and then decided to attend law school. Mr. Garcia obtained his law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law where he served as articles editor for the Law Review.

Upon graduation, he began practicing in West Palm Beach representing individual and institutional clients in personal injury and commercial litigation matters.  Mr. Garcia has been practicing in West Palm Beach since 1994.  He has proudly represented many people in state and federal court trials.  He has achieved an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell, a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence.  He has also obtained the distinction of becoming a member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum as a result of obtaining exceptional results for his clients.

He is active in the community, having served as President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Palm Beach County in 2000-01, and serves on its Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County and currently serves as president of the Board.  He is also on the Board of Governors of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, which recently inaugurated the restored 1916 Palm Beach County Courthouse.  On September 30, 2010, Mariano was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to serve a four-year term on the 15th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, which screens judicial applicants for openings on the Palm Beach County and Circuit courts.  He is also a member of the Palm Beach County Chapter of ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates).

In his spare time, Mr. Garcia enjoys flying and boating. He is married to Shelley Garcia, a native Floridian and fellow Florida Gator alumni.  They have two wonderful children and reside in West Palm Beach.