Practice areas: Personal Injury
Licensed in Texas since: 2002
Education: University of Houston Law Center
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2012 - 2014 
Free Consultation Adame Garza, LLP
2223 N. Main StHouston, TX 77009 Phone: 713-863-7100 Email: Johnny Garza, Jr. Visit website
Details 
Johnny Garza has been a Partner with Adame Garza since 2011, working exclusively with injury victims. Johnny has achieved multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients with his sincere passion for helping families get their lives back on track and for helping right the wrongs of others.
Johnny has worked in the legal field since 1999, working at several top law firms in the region. He began his career successfully defending Fortune 500 companies domestically and internationally in personal injury litigation, insurance coverage litigation, and more at Royston Rayzor. He joined Abraham Watkins, one of the oldest and most prominent plaintiff’s firms in Houston in 2006, where he remained until forming his own law firm with law partner Miguel Adame.
Johnny graduated fourth in his class of over 300 students at Simon Rivera High School in Brownsville, Texas and went on to attend Texas A&M University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1998 double majoring in Latin American Studies and Sociology, cum laude. He earned his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center in 2002. He is admitted to practice in all Texas state courts as well as the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Johnny Garza has been listed in the Texas Super Lawyers List by Thomson Reuters every year since 2014. Prior to that, he has been selected to the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars List from 2012-2014. Johnny is also a respected leader in the Hispanic community. The Hispanic National Bar Association recognized him as a Top Lawyer Under 40 in 2013. The Mexican American Bar Association of Texas Foundation named him an Outstanding Young Latino Attorney. Latino Leaders Magazine named him an Influential Latino Leader of the Future in 2011.
Some of his most proud professional association accomplishments include serving as Co-Chair of the Hispanic National Bar Association Law Week Committee and when while he was President the Hispanic Bar Association received a national award from the American Bar Association for The East End Project teaching Hispanic youth the importance of the law. He also held the most successful Hispanic Bar Association of Houston President’s Day banquet ever, raising a record amount of contributions for law school scholarships.
Beyond the legal profession and out in the greater Houston community, Johnny adopts a family each year through La Rosa Family Services’ Adopt-a-Family program. Johnny is also a Board Member of Career and Recovery Services, Inc., helping people identify and overcome barriers to employment.
First Admitted: 2002, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://htxtriallawyers.com/lawyers/johnny-garza/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Career Recovery Services, Inc. - Board Member
- State Bar College, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Member
- Mexican American Bar Association
- Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Former Big League Bash Committee Member, Former Annual Golf Tournament Committee Member
- American Association for Justice
- American Bar Association
- Houston Bar Association
- National Hispanic Bar Association: Board of Governors, Former Law Week Co-Chair, Former Deputy to Regional President of Region XII
- Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Former Member of the Board of Directors
- Hispanic Bar Association of Houston - Immediate Past President 2011-2012, President 2010-2011, Treasurer 2009-2010, Board of Directors 2006-2009; National Hispanic Bar Association - Board of Governors, 2009-Present, Deputy to the Regional President of Region XII 2007; Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Board of Directors 2008–Present, Membership Committee 2010-Present; Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors 2008–Present, Committee Member - Annual Golf Tournament 2009, Committee Member - Big League Bash 2009; Career and Recovery Resources, Inc., Board of Directors 2010-Present - Helping people identify and overcome barriers to employment; Mexican American Bar Association, Member; American Bar Association, Member; Houston Bar Association, Member; Texas Young Lawyers Association, Member; Houston Young Lawyers Association, Member; American Association for Justice, Member
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Type of Case: Personal Injury/Commercial Vehicle Date: February 8 through February 12, 2010 Case: Harvey Sterling v. Paulo Delao and RD Mechanical d/b/a Northwest Refrigeration of Texas, Ltd.Court: Cause Number 2006-62187, 129th Harris County District Court Judge: Honorable Michael Gomez Party: Plaintiff Applicant’s Role: Lead Attorney Opposing Counsel: Kent Chambers, State Bar No. 04078300, Chambers, Templeton, Thomas & Brinkley, 30014 Tamina Rd., Magnolia, Texas 77354, 281-259-9008 Physical and Mental Injury Involved: Yes, Plaintiff sustained back injury and required two surgeries Details of Principal Issues Involved: Defendant failed to yield right of way to Plaintiff and caused a substantial collision, requiring Plaintiff to be removed by the jaws of life Amount in Controversy: $700,000, approximately Amount Awarded: $133,000,000 verdict in favor of Plaintiff. (High/low agreement reached during trial with high of $800,000 and low of $200,000—hence, final verdict of $200,000) Number of Days in Trial: 5 days Describe Result: $133,000,000 verdict in favor of Plaintiff. (High/low agreement reached during trial with high of $800,000 and low of $200,000—hence, final verdict of $200,000) , 2010
- Type of Case: Personal Injury/Vehicular Incident Date: May 10 through May 11, 2010 Case: Keith Harding v. Harris CountyCourt: Cause Number 372,492, 333rd Harris County District Court Judge: Honorable Tad Halback Party: Plaintiff Applicant’s Role: Lead Attorney Opposing Counsel: Mr. Steve Smith, State Bar No. 18684400, Senior Assistant County Attorney, 1019 Congress, 15th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, 713-755-7156 Physical and Mental Injury Involved: Yes, Plaintiff sustained a knee injury that required surgery Details of Principal Issues Involved: Defendant rear-ended Plaintiff Amount in Controversy: $40,000, approximately Amount Awarded: $39,369.25 verdict in favor of Plaintiffs Number of Days in Trial: 2 days Describe Result: $39,369.25 verdict in favor of Plaintiffs Settlements: Jose Martinez vs. V.E.Enterprises, Inc., etc., settlement $1.1 million dollars; Franscisco Sanchez vs. Beck-Ford Construction, LP, etc., settlement $1.1 million dollars; Santos Velazquez vs. Western Motor Coach, settlement $550,000; Tate Robinson vs. Fee Transportation Services, Inc., etc., settlement $300,000; Frank Puckett vs. Hoggs Trucking, settlement $250,000; Jose Hernandez $3 million (developed the legal theory for a successful client recovery); Clearo vs. Wal-Mart, slip and fall settlement of $150,000 , 2010
- Type of Case: Personal Injury/Construction Injury/Severe Electrical Shock/Lost of Multiple Limbs Date: September 14 through October 13, 2009 Case: Bladimir Barrientos and Maria Garza, Individually and as Next Friend of Osvaldo Barrientos and Bladimir Barrientos Jr. v. Darling Homes of Houston, LTD and Darling Homes, Inc. Court: Cause No. 2006-68686, In the 334th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas Judge: Honorable Sharon McCally Applicant’s Role: Co-Lead Attorney, handled opening statement, presented Plaintiffs, numerous witnesses and experts, cross-examined Defendant and Defendant’s witnesses Opposing Counsel: Tim Hightower, State Bar No. 00795421,1225 North Loop West, Suite 1020, Houston, Texas 77008, 713-228-1160 and Ernest P. Gieger, Jr., State Bar No. 24054169, Gieger, Laborde & Laperouse, 1177 West Loop South, Suite 750, Houston, Texas 77027, 832-255-6000 Physical and Mental Injury Involved: Yes. Plaintiff Bladimir Barrientos lost his two arms, lost his left leg, partial loss of his right foot, had skin grafts to both thighs and sustained burns to various parts of his body. Details of Principal Issues Involved: Defendants, Darling Homes, Inc. and Darling Homes of Houston, LTD. (collectively Defendants), are in the business of building homes. Defendants owned and were responsible for the construction of a new home on Bergenia Drive. Defendants chose to build the home’s three-car garage too close to the overhead electrical lines. In doing so, Defendants: (1) encroached upon the utility easement; and (2) violated the clearances required by the National Electric Safety Code (NESC). The garage’s location and the resulting two dangerous conditions were concealed and Defendants chose not to warn the workers of the encroachment and clearance violations. On August 22, 2006, Plaintiff Bladimir Barrientos (“Barrientos”) was painting the home; he was carrying his ladder behind the garage when he struck the electrical lines. CenterPoint Energy immediately inspected and surveyed the garage, confirmed Defendants’ violations, and sent a letter to Defendants requesting money damages for their violations. As a result of these violations, Barrientos lost his two arms, his left leg and part of his right foot—he is considered a quadruple amputee. Amount in Controversy: Over $5,000,000, approximately Amount Awarded: $8,038,9004, verdict in favor of Plaintiffs Number of Days in Trial: 29 days Describe Result: $8,038,9004, verdict in favor of Plaintiffs , 2009
- Type of Case: Personal Injury/Construction Injury Date: April 22, 2009 Case: Santiago Arias v. Degar Fuel Systems, Inc. and GSL Investments, Inc.Court: Cause Number 2006-81100, 295th Judicial District Court, Harris County Judge: Honorable Tracey Christopher Party Represented: Plaintiff Applicant’s Role: Co-Lead Attorney, conducted vior dire, presented the Plaintiff and 1 expert Opposing Counsel: George Arnold, State Bar No. 00783559, Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP, One Riverway, Suite 1600, Houston,TX 77056, 713-403-8210 and Candice Smith, State Bar No. 18544900,Lamm & Smith, PC, 3730 Kirby Dr. Ste 650, Houston,TX 77098, 713-228-2481 Physical and Mental Injury Involved: Yes. Plaintiff became a quadriplegic as a result of the incident Details of Principal Issues Involved: Defendant failed to provide Plaintiff any safety training, failed to provide any personal protection equipment and exposed Plaintiff to an unsafe work site. Amount in Controversy: Over $20,000,000, approximately Amount Awarded: $20,707,000, verdict in favor of Plaintiff Number of Days in Trial: 2 days Describe Result: $20,707,000, verdict in favor of Plaintiff , 2009
- Type of Case: Personal Injury/Auto Incident/Wrongful Death Date: March 18, 2009 Case: Karen Owens, Individually as on Behalf if the Estate of Sydney JoAnne Owens v. Juan Pablo Reyes, et alCourt: Cause No. 2007-39515; In the 80th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas Judge: Honorable Larry Weiman Party Represented:Plaintiff Applicant’s Role: Lead Attorney Opposing Counsel: Chuck Portz, State Bar No.: 16163235, 1314 Texas Ave., Suite 1001, Houston, Texas 77002, (713)223-5299 Physical and Mental Injury Involved: Yes. Plaintiff lost her daughter in an auto incident Details of Principal Issues Involved: Defendant negligently entrusted his son with a vehicle. Son had a history of speeding and did not have a driver’s license. Son began racing with Plaintiff’s daughter in the car. Son lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a tree, killing Plaintiff’s daughter. Amount in Controversy: Over $4,000,000, approximately Amount Awarded: verdict in favor of Plaintiff Number of Days in Trial: 1 day Describe Result: $4,954,469, verdict in favor of Plaintiff , 2009
- Type of Case: Personal Injury/Wrongful Death/Commercial Vehicle Date: November 17 through November 21, 2008 Case: Elida Griselda Martinez, Individually, and a/n/f of Amalia Griselda Gomez, a minor child, and on behalf of the Estate of Oscar Alfredo Gomez, deceased, and Carlos Gomez Portillo v. Republic Waste Services, Inc.Court: Cause Number 372,492, Probate Court at Law No. 2 Harris County, Texas Judge: Honorable Mike Wood Party Represented: Plaintiffs Applicant’s Role: Co-Lead Attorney, gave opening statement, presented 3 witnesses and 1 expert, cross-examined Defendant’s witness, gave closing argument Opposing Counsel: Mr. Clifford L. Harrison, State Bar No. 09113800, Harrison, Bettis, Staff, McFarland & Weems, LLP, 1415 Louisiana, 37th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, 713-843-7900 Physical and Mental Injury Involved: Yes. Plaintiffs lost their husband and father and son Details of Principal Issues Involved: Defendant driving a trash truck, struck and killed Plaintiff. Plaintiff was undocumented and Defendant attempted to introduce Plaintiff’s status. Court did not admit the undocumented status. The 14th Court of Appeals affirmed the exclusion holding that undocumented status is too prejudicial Amount in Controversy: Over $1,000,000, approximately Amount Awarded: $1,400,000, verdict in favor of Plaintiff Number of Days in Trial: 5 days Describe Result: $1,4000,000, verdict in favor of Plaintiff , 2008
- Type of Case: Personal Injury/ Auto Incident Date: March 2008 Case Name: Wendy Alvarez v. Santos Vasquez and Nestor MelendezCourt: Cause No. 809251; Harris County Court at Law No. 3 Judge: Honorable Linda Storey Party Represented: Plaintiff Applicant’s Role: Lead Attorney Opposing Counsel: Scott Owen, Acosta, Shrode & Soule, State Bar No. 15372350, 11200 Richmond Avenue, Suite 490, Houston, Texas 77082, 281-368-6972 Physical and Mental Injury Involved: Yes, Plaintiff sustained back and leg injuries Details of Principal Issues Involved: Defendant chose not to stop a red light and struck Plaintiff Amount in Controversy: $10,000, approximately Amount Awarded: $8,864.00, verdict in favor of Plaintiff Number of Days in Trial: 1 day Describe Result: $8,864.00, verdict in favor of Plaintiff , 2008
- Type of Case: Personal Injury/Construction Accident/Fall Date: December 2007 Case Name: Jesus & Lorena DeLeon v. Lee Roy Westbrook Construction Company, Inc., et.al.Court: 2006-08195; In the 334th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas Judge: Honorable Sharon McCally Party Represented: Plaintiffs Applicant’s Role: Presented 2 witnesses Opposing Counsel: Michael Winchester, State Bar No. 21754350, 5601 Granite Pkwy., Ste. 410, Plano,TX 75024-6686, 214-423-0000 Physical and Mental Injury Involved: Yes, Plaintiff lost use of his right arm Details of Principal Issues Involved: Plaintiff fell several feet when the Defendant left railings unsecured Amount in Controversy: $1,000,000, approximately Amount Awarded: $3,740,000.00 verdict in favor of Plaintiffs Number of Days in Trial: December 3rd through December 12th, 2007 Describe Result: $3,740,000.00 verdict in favor of Plaintiffs , 2007
Videos
- Adame Garza LLP - Johnny Garza, Personal Injury
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, 2011
Pro bono / Community Service
- Co-Chair of the Hispanic National Bar Association Law Week Committee 2011-2012., 2011
- 2010 and 2011 - East End Project - Teaching Hispanic youth the importance of the law. In 2010, the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston and Mexican American Bar Association of Houston received an national award from the American Bar Association for this project. In 2011, the State Bar of Texas awarded the Houston Bar Association of Houston, the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston and the Mexican American Bar Association of Houston with the Outstanding Partnership Award for partnering together to host the East End and Third Ward Poster Outreach Workshops. Johnny served as President-Elect and President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston during this time. 2010 and 2010 - Law Week Celebration - Instructing various elementary classrooms on the importance of the law. 2010 - Constitutional Day - Instructing various high school classes on the importance of the constitution and the justice system
Educational Background
- University of Houston Law Center, Juris Doctorate, cum laude, 2002
- Texas A & M University, Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies and Sociology, 1998
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- THE ADVOCATE, State Bar Litigation Section Report, Winter, Volume 37, 2006 A lien attaching to settlement proceeds related to damages other than medical costs is not authorized by the federal Medicaid law and is also prohibited by the federal Medicaid anti-lien provision. A state's Medicaid agencies cannot claim any part of the settlement that is allocated for non-medical damages, including pain and suffering and lost wages, etc., Author, Do State Medicaid Agencies Have the Right to Full Reimbursement For Medical Payments Made on Behalf of a Medicaid Recipient? The U.S. Supreme Court Has Weighed In, THE ADVOCATE, Texas State Bar Litigation Report, 2006
Other Outstanding Achievements
- 2010 and 2011 - East End Project - Teaching Hispanic youth the importance of the law. In 2010, the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston and Mexican American Bar Association of Houston received an national award from the American Bar Association for this project. In 2011, the State Bar of Texas awarded the Houston Bar Association of Houston, the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston and the Mexican American Bar Association of Houston with the Outstanding Partnership Award for partnering together to host the East End and Third Ward Poster Outreach Workshops. Johnny served as President-Elect and President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston during this time.
Honors
- Houston's Top Lawyer in Personal Injury, H Texas Magazine, 2013
- The HNBA’s “Top Lawyers Under 40” Award celebrates and highlights the accomplishments and contributions of HNBA members who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession. The Award honors lawyers who have demonstrated professional excellence, integrity, leadership, commitment to the Hispanic community, and dedication to improving the legal profession. HNBA Members from all segments of the profession (including private practice, government, public interest, academia, and corporate legal departments) are eligible for the Award., Top Lawyer Under 40, Hispanic National Bar Association, 2013
- Houston's Top Lawyer in Personal Injury, H Texas Magazine, 2012
- Named as Houston's Top Lawyer 2011, Houston's Top Lawyer in Personal Injury, H Texas Magazine, 2011
- Influential Latino Leader of the Future, Latino Leaders Magazine, 2011
- Johnny Garza of Adame & Associates was honored as the Outstanding Young Latino Lawyer of the Year at the Mexican-American Bar Association of Texas Foundation (MABATx Foundation)'s Sixth Annual Scholarship Luncheon benefitting Hispanic law students. As President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston (HisBA), Johnny has worked tirelessly to implement the goals of this organization. Under his leadership, HisBA recently had the most successful President's Day banquet ever, raising a record amount of contributions which will be used for law school scholarships., Outstanding Young Latino Lawyer of the Year, Mexican American Bar Association of Texas Foundation, 2011
- Named as Legal Star by Aztec Muse. Johnny was one of 10 Latinos to be given this honor., Legal Star, Aztec Muse Magazine, 2010
Office location for Johnny Garza, Jr.
2223 N. Main St
Houston, TX 77009
Selections
13 Years Super Lawyers
3 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2012 - 2014