Interviewer : Natalie Garza

Project : University of Houston

Since graduating from South Texas College of Law, Roland Garcia has practiced law and discusses the evolution of his career from his first job at Vinson & Elkins to the formation of Greenburg Traurig. In his work at the Supreme Court of Texas, Roland was assigned to the first Hispanic elected to a state-wise Texas office, Raul Gonzales, as a briefing attorney, and describes his work under Gonzales. He discusses the number of positions he has held, such as board member of the Association for Advancement of Mexican Americans and chairman of board of the Aspiring Youth of Houston. Valdez and Garcia discuss globalization’s effect on Hispanic Americans wishing to pursue careers in law and any barriers Hispanics have faced in the field and hopes to serve as an inspiration for future generations. Among the cases mentioned, Garcia details Texas Medical Center versus St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, the legal nature of non-profit organizations and the history of the Texas Medical Center.