From Journalism to Justice: How Lem Garcia Built a Compassionate, Client-Centered Law Firm

In this insightful episode of Business Chop, Attorney Lem Garcia shares his journey from journalism to building one of Southern California’s fastest-growing personal injury law firms. Discover how he turned his passion for storytelling into a client-centered legal practice that prioritizes compassion, transparency, and justice. Lem dispels common misconceptions about personal injury law, offers invaluable advice for entrepreneurs, and explains why empathy is the key to success in high-stakes industries. Whether you're an aspiring lawyer, business owner, or someone who values integrity in service, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration.

To learn more about Attorney Garcia, visit lemgarcialaw.com

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Transcript

Interview with Attorney Lem Garcia – Business Chop Podcast

Host: Audrey “Tech Diva” Wiggins
Guest: Attorney Lem Garcia

Audrey Wiggins: Hello, Chop Squad! I'm excited to be here with you, as always, and to introduce my guest today, Attorney Lem Garcia. Lem is the owner and lead attorney at Lem Garcia Law, one of Southern California's fastest-growing personal injury firms. Known for its client-centered approach, his firm is dedicated to securing substantial settlements while maintaining transparency and accessibility. Lem has built a multimillion-dollar practice from the ground up, starting with limited resources and a big vision—something that will resonate with many entrepreneurs.

Beyond his success, Lem serves as a role model, especially for Filipino Americans in the legal field, and is passionate about making personal injury law more compassionate. He believes success isn’t just measured by numbers but by the impact we leave on people’s lives. We’ll learn more about Lem right after this message.

(Short Break)

Audrey Wiggins: Attorney Lem Garcia, welcome to Business Chop!

Lem Garcia: Hi, Audrey! I’m so excited to be here. Thank you.

Audrey Wiggins: Before we dive into your experience, share a couple of fun facts about yourself.

Lem Garcia: Well, before I entered the legal field, I was a photographer for the Clippers, which was a dream come true. I love basketball and photography, so being able to combine those two passions was amazing.

Another thing people find surprising is that in middle school and high school, I was in the band—I played the trumpet for seven years.

Audrey Wiggins: Wow! You definitely have an eclectic background—sports photography and music. I love it!

Let’s talk about your journey. You started in journalism before transitioning into law. Tell us more about that path, as well as your insights into entrepreneurship and personal development.

Lem Garcia: In college, I studied journalism because I wanted to focus on writing and storytelling. I thought maybe I could change the world one story at a time.

After graduating, I got a job as a legal assistant, and that’s when I decided to go to law school. Initially, it was just about improving myself and learning a different way of thinking. But after law school, I thought, Why not start my own firm and see where it leads?

Through this journey, I’ve learned that every skill you pick up along the way can be useful. Journalism helped me with writing. Photography helped me with marketing. I used those skills to build my own website and create my own content when I was just starting out. Looking back, I was able to connect the dots and build a practice using everything I had learned.

Audrey Wiggins: That’s an incredible mindset. Now, let’s shift gears a bit. Personal injury law is competitive. How do law firms balance the pressure of securing large settlements while maintaining a commitment to compassion and client care?

Lem Garcia: It’s simple: treat people like people, not just cases with dollar signs attached to them. The big cases are great, but what matters most is making a real impact on someone's life.

At our firm, we remind ourselves that people come to us when their lives have been turned upside down. They need someone to fight for them and make sure they get justice. That perspective keeps us focused on what really matters—helping people rebuild.

Audrey Wiggins: That’s powerful. Speaking of misconceptions, what are some common ones people have about personal injury law?

Lem Garcia: The biggest misconception is that personal injury lawyers are just ambulance chasers. A lot of people’s exposure to our industry comes from billboards, which don’t always tell the full story.

In reality, we help people when they’re at their most vulnerable—when they’ve just been in an accident, they’re hurt, scared, and unsure of what to do next. Our job is to guide them through the process, make sure they get the care they need, and ensure they’re fairly compensated.

Audrey Wiggins: That makes sense. How can personal injury law serve as a platform for community advocacy, especially in underserved communities?

Lem Garcia: Access to legal help shouldn’t be difficult. At our firm, we take calls for free, offer guidance, and even let people know when they might be able to handle their cases on their own.

Beyond that, we’re involved in the community—whether through educational booths, answering legal questions, or supporting local schools. We believe in giving back whenever we can.

Audrey Wiggins: That’s great to hear. Shifting to entrepreneurship, what lessons from building your law firm would you share with other entrepreneurs in competitive industries?

Lem Garcia: If you’re starting from scratch, be prepared to make sacrifices—your time, your energy, and sometimes your money. You must go all in.

Another key lesson is to get comfortable with discomfort. Growth happens when you push beyond what’s comfortable. If you always play it safe, your business won’t grow.

Audrey Wiggins: That’s solid advice! What role does empathy play in your practice, and how do you maintain it in such a high-stakes field?

Lem Garcia: Empathy is essential. Our clients need to know we’re listening to them and truly care about their well-being.

We make sure our team understands that we’re not just handling cases—we’re handling a critical part of someone’s life. Every client deserves to feel heard, respected, and supported.

Audrey Wiggins: Absolutely. What does it mean to build a client-centered law practice, and how do you implement that daily?

Lem Garcia: To me, it means putting clients before profit.

From the first call, we focus on how we can help—not on how much we’ll make. We make sure our clients feel heard and respected, and we don’t dodge their calls. It’s about treating them the way we’d want to be treated if we were in their shoes.

Audrey Wiggins: For aspiring lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds, what advice would you give about navigating the legal field while staying true to their heritage and values?

Lem Garcia: Embrace who you are—your background is a strength, not a weakness.

Stay true to yourself, and people will recognize your authenticity. Clients trust lawyers who are genuine, and being real is one of the best ways to build that trust.

Audrey Wiggins: Love that. Looking ahead, how do you see personal injury law evolving with advancements in technology?

Lem Garcia: Technology will improve client service, making it easier to communicate and respond quickly.

But there’s a risk—if firms over-automate, they might lose the personal touch. It’s important to use technology wisely while still keeping that human connection.

Audrey Wiggins: Speaking of connections, how can people get in touch with you?

Lem Garcia: You can visit our website at lemgarcialaw.com or email me directly at lem@lemgarcialaw.com.

Audrey Wiggins: Fantastic! Before we wrap up, what final piece of advice would you like to leave with our audience?

Lem Garcia: Believe in yourself.

Whatever efforts you put in, trust that they will pay off. Stay patient, take risks, and don’t be afraid to delay gratification. Success comes from persistence.

Audrey Wiggins: Love it! Chop Squad, you’ve got your marching orders—believe in yourself. Thanks, Lem, for joining us today, and thank you all for tuning in. See you next time!