Your Legal Team
Leo & Bernadette
Leo De La Garza
Attorney/Abogado
I am the founder and co-owner of De La Garza Law, PLLC. I was born in the small Texas border town of Rio Grande City and I was the first in my family to attend college. As the child of an immigrant, I have seen first-hand how difficult it is to navigate the U.S. immigration system. I watched my family struggle not knowing who to trust, which papers to file, and whether we could make ends meet without legal status. As I've grown older, I've seen rampant injustices in our broken system year after year. All this combined made me want to fight the good fight!
I never want you to have to worry about your immigration process like my family did. I am here to help alleviate the stress. I want you to feel peace of mind as we go on this journey together. I'll give you that "real talk" here and there because I want to be honest and transparent with you. You are more than a client to me, and this is much more than paperwork. This is me helping you get the stability and security you need to live the life you want.
As part of my vocation, I regularly participate in community service events such as citizenship drives and informational sessions. If you ever see me or my wife and law partner, Bernadette, at an event please come say hi! Otherwise, you can find me training in boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
I never want you to have to worry about your immigration process like my family did. I am here to help alleviate the stress. I want you to feel peace of mind as we go on this journey together. I'll give you that "real talk" here and there because I want to be honest and transparent with you. You are more than a client to me, and this is much more than paperwork. This is me helping you get the stability and security you need to live the life you want.
As part of my vocation, I regularly participate in community service events such as citizenship drives and informational sessions. If you ever see me or my wife and law partner, Bernadette, at an event please come say hi! Otherwise, you can find me training in boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
Licenses
- Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas (2016)
- Admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- Admitted to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
Awards
- SuperLawyer Magazine Texas Rising Stars 2023
- Texas Opportunity and Justice Incubator (TOJI) Program Pro Bono Award
Speaking Engagements
- Know Your Rights Presentation, Consulate General of Mexico Austin (2019)
- Attorney Q&A Panel, Consulate General of Mexico Austin (2018 to present)
- The University of Texas at Austin Plan II Honors Program Alumni Panel (2020 to present)
- Career Day at Andrews Elementary School in Austin, Texas (2020)
Organizations and Associations
- Chair of the Civil Rights and Immigration Section of the Austin Bar Association (2022 to present)
- LeadershipSBOT (State Bar of Texas) 2023-2024
- Austin Young Lawyers Association Health and Wellness Committee
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
- Texas Pro Bono College
- Texas Bar College
Education
- Texas Tech University School of Law (2015) – Juris Doctor
- The University of Texas at Austin (2012)
- Bachelor of Arts in Plan II Honors Program
- Bachelor of Arts in History
Bernadette Dela Cruz
Attorney
I am the co-owner of De La Garza Law, PLLC. I have always felt the practice of law should first be the practice of authentically building relationships and understanding the needs of others.
I want to be more than your attorney. I strive to be a trusted confidant who can lead you through the turbulence and emotional strain of the immigration world. Whether you are wanting to get your spouse a green card or you run an organization in desperate need of workers, I will answer your questions with utmost honesty and ensure you have as smooth of an experience as possible. Lawyers aren't always hired in the happiest of times, but it is my hope that I can help you feel at peace during the process.
Speaking of building relationships, here's a little more about me. In my free time, I enjoy relaxing with my husband and law partner, Leo, and Al, our Border Collie and "Pawralegal." I like to train in weightlifting, martial arts, and I love the opportunity to practice my voice acting.
I want to be more than your attorney. I strive to be a trusted confidant who can lead you through the turbulence and emotional strain of the immigration world. Whether you are wanting to get your spouse a green card or you run an organization in desperate need of workers, I will answer your questions with utmost honesty and ensure you have as smooth of an experience as possible. Lawyers aren't always hired in the happiest of times, but it is my hope that I can help you feel at peace during the process.
Speaking of building relationships, here's a little more about me. In my free time, I enjoy relaxing with my husband and law partner, Leo, and Al, our Border Collie and "Pawralegal." I like to train in weightlifting, martial arts, and I love the opportunity to practice my voice acting.
Licenses
- Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas (2016)
Awards
- SuperLawyer Magazine Texas Rising Stars 2023
- SuperLawyer Magazine Texas Rising Stars 2022
Speaking Engagements
- State Bar of Texas, Beyond Wellness: Finding and Maintaining Attorney Wellness (2021)
- The University of Texas at Austin Plan II Honors Program Alumni Panel (2020 to present)
- What Do Lawyers Do? Presentation at The University of Texas at Austin and Austin Achieve High School (2020)
Organizations and Associations
- LeadershipSBOT (State Bar of Texas) Member 2019-2020
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
- Austin Young Lawyers Association Health and Wellness Committee
Education
- Texas Tech University School of Law (2015) – Juris Doctor
- The University of Texas at Austin (2012)
- Bachelor of Arts in Plan II Honors Program
- Bachelor of Arts in Music with Concentration in Piano Performance
Giving Back to the Community
Volunteering with Texas Here To Stay to support DACA recipients.
Leo and Bernadette, alums, invited to speak for a Career Panel with the Plan II Honors Program at The University of Texas at Austin.
Leo & Bernadette at an Education Austin-sponsored volunteer event.
Pro bono DACA Clinic at UT Austin with some wonderful immigration lawyer colleagues.
Citizenship Drive at Dobie Middle School hosted by Equal Justice Center and other non-profits, assisting permanent residents to apply for naturalization and become US Citizens!
Citizenship Clinic supported by the AFL-CIO to help residents become citizens.
Leo providing pro bono consultations.
Bernadette reviewing forms at a volunteer event.
Career Day at Andrews Elementary School in Austin, Texas, entertaining some cool kiddos.
Pro Bono consultations at Strawn Elementary in Dale, Texas, speaking with parents, teachers, and administrators about immigration issues.
Citizenship clinic with with excellent fellow immigration lawyers providing bilingual consultations to potential applicants for naturalization.
