De La Garza Law Group

Our Attorneys

• 

  Mario E. de la Garza

  Partner

  MARIO E. DE LA GARZA is a Houston-based personal injury attorney dedicated to helping injured people get justice. He represents victims of serious and catastrophic personal injuries in various contexts, including commercial truck collisions; burn and electrical incidents; workplace accidents; product liability accidents; and wrongful death. In every serious personal injury case, there is a powerful story of betrayal and loss. The betrayal happens when the wrongdoer makes a decision, often for self-gain, that endangers and harms the client. And the client’s losses go well beyond the medical record, manifesting themselves throughout the client’s daily life. For Mario, discovering and showing how a client’s injury has impacted their life is paramount in pursuing justice and, therefore, integral to his law practice. While Mario has recovered millions of dollars for his clients, his success lies in going beyond simply knowing the law and the facts of a particular case. He has a natural ability to empathize with his clients, taking the time to understand their pain and anguish. His Spanish fluency is yet another way he connects with people of varied backgrounds. Mario’s upbringing on a quiet family ranch near Rio Grande City led him to develop a deep connection to nature, admiration for hard work, and a spiritual love of good people. When he left the south Texas brush country for Harvard University, the intellectual diversity he encountered inspired him to become a lawyer. Mario attended Northwestern University School of Law to pursue his goal to help make the world a safer place. “My mission as a lawyer is to make sure that the ‘human’ isn’t left out of human progress, that the progress of industry, technology, and enterprise does not come at the expense of the human beings on whose shoulders they rise.” Mario began his legal career taking on complex civil matters as an appellate lawyer at Haynes and Boone, LLP, a well-respected law firm among the largest in the United States. He then gained further experience as a business lawyer handling international transactions at Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP, but he could no longer ignore his calling to fight for injured people. To that end, Mario joined Fleming & Associates in 2009, a mass-tort firm, and represented people who have been wronged by the negligence of others. In August 2010, he became a law firm owner and has advocated for personal injury victims ever since. The research and analytical skills he gained from his rich legal background give him an edge in cases that involve nuanced matters. A gifted communicator, Mario uses his prowess in legal writing and public speaking to help jurors, judges and opposing counsel not only understand but feel his clients’ plight on a human level. He believes part of his job as a personal injury lawyer is to show how his clients’ lives have been forever diminished by their injuries. In one particular wrongful death case, Mario leveraged his skills to select a jury that delivered a verdict of over $11 million in favor of his clients. Mario’s talents as a writer and storyteller are not limited to the legal field. He has written short fiction, plays and screenplays, and has won awards for his creative writing. Besides the law, Mario is also passionate about food, having refined recipes for his favorite homey dishes. He loves cooking for his wife Natasha, and their two daughters and is especially gratified when they ask for seconds.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Mario E. de la Garza

• 

  Natasha Sadeghian de la Garza

  Attorney

  NATASHA SADEGHIAN DE LA GARZA is a personal injury attorney who is passionate about effectuating change through her work. In this pursuit, she represents victims of serious and catastrophic personal injuries in various contexts, including commercial truck and auto collisions; medical malpractice, civil rights violations; and workplace accidents. “I feel blessed to have the opportunity to help those whose lives have been forever changed because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, to hold responsible parties accountable, and in doing so, to effectuate change for the better.” While Natasha started her legal career practicing immigration law and representing business owners in commercial litigation, she discovered her true calling in personal injury law. She joined a personal injury law firm as a second-year lawyer. More than 15 years later, she feels fortunate that her work at The de la Garza Law Group allows her to continue in this practice area and help those who have suffered because of others’ negligence or wrongdoing. Natasha counts representing the Escobar family in a civil rights case against the City of Houston among her career highlights. The pursuit of justice for the Escobar’s 13-year-old son, Eli Escobar, resulted in significant changes to firearms training at the Houston Police Academy and the creation of The Escobar Rule. “I have absolutely no issue with letting wrongdoers know when they have deviated from what any reasonable human being would consider right and just, and that they have a moral obligation to take responsibility for their actions.” Natasha’s strengths as an attorney lie in her attention to detail and relentlessness in righting wrongs. While she loves being in court, Natasha is also willing to put in the work outside the courtroom. She has always enjoyed the process of discovery, learning about the details of a case, getting to the bottom of what happened to find the proverbial “smoking gun,” which proves to be an asset when assisting clients. As a native Houstonian, Natasha has strong ties to the community. She is currently a sustaining member of The Junior League of Houston, Inc., after 10 years of serving in the organization alongside an amazing group of women. She is also an alumnus of The Children’s Fund, Inc., and an active volunteer at her daughters’ school. When she is not practicing law, Natasha spends most of her time taking care of her and her husband’s two young daughters and the family dog and cat. In her spare time, she also enjoys cooking, baking, gardening, studying languages and learning about other cultures and current international affairs.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Natasha Sadeghian de la Garza

• 

  Jesse Guadiana

  Associate Attorney

  Jesse Guadiana is an Associate Attorney at The de la Garza Law Group. He graduated from the University of Houston Law Center and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas. Jesse grew up in a blue-collar immigrant household. He learned early on that he wanted to serve others and make a difference in people’s lives. After watching a documentary about the supreme court case of Hernandez v. Texas, Jesse was inspired to work in the field of law. Jesse’s passion for advocacy on behalf of injured people was born from his sister’s struggles after suffering life-threatening injuries in a serious car crash. As a first-generation college and law school student, Jesse understood that he would be the first to overcome new hurdles, and he found strength in his parents’ immigrant story and belief in the American dream. Jesse helped found the first bilingual and student-led graduation at the University of Texas at Austin. At its heart, the ceremony allowed the graduates’ families to walk across the stage to recognize their influence. Jesse understands that the impact on one family member is an impact on the whole family. Before law school, Jesse worked at the U.S. Capitol, the Texas Capitol, and at a 6th-grade math classroom in Dallas, Texas. In Washington, D.C., Jesse served as a legislative aide to a Houston Congresswoman. In Austin, Texas, he served as a legislative aide to the Dean of the State Senate. Then in Dallas, Jesse tutored and advised at-risk youth. At each step, he learned how laws got made and how those laws affected neighborhoods. Each experience nurtured Jesse’s desire to protect the communities where he grew up. As he grew up, Jesse came to appreciate that people generally mean well and want to be treated with respect. When bad things happen to people, they need a lawyer. Jesse felt the call to action to help those in need. Jesse is acutely attentive, steadfast in his work, and clear-minded about the long-term interests of his clients. Each case is the most important case in his hands. What potential clients need most in an attorney is someone who can listen attentively, communicate calmly, and work tirelessly. Jesse believes that each case and client deserve to feel that their best interests are protected and that they have an equal chance at justice. Jesse believes in the principle of paying it forward and participates in several mentorship programs within his organizations. In Jesse’s free time, he enjoys time in the outdoors. In the fall, he can be found watching his sports teams: win, lose, or draw. And as early winter comes, he loves to review the latest Oscar-worthy films.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Jesse Guadiana

• 

  Jaime Ivan Perez

  Associate Attorney

  Since becoming licensed, Jaime has dedicated his entire legal career serving Texas personal injury plaintiffs. Jaime has done so by taking depositions, drafting and arguing motions and responses in front of judges, negotiating settlements, performing legal research, drafting a petition for writ of mandamus to the Ninth Court of Appeals, and both preparing for and attending trial. Jaime joined The de la Garza Law Group in August of 2022, where he continues to fight for injured clients. Jaime is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the Houston Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Mexican American Bar Association of Houston. “I feel blessed to have the opportunity to help those whose lives have been forever changed because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, to hold responsible parties accountable, and in doing so, to effectuate change for the better.” Jaime Ivan Perez was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and came to Houston, Texas before the age of two with his family, where he has since stayed and made his home. As the bilingual son of hardworking immigrant parents, Jaime grew up among and between two beautiful cultures, but felt at home with the diversity that Texas brings. However, events that occurred during Jaime’s early formative years would cement his course to a legal career. Jaime’s decision to become an attorney came earlier than most and every action was with that end goal in mind. Although his path was not a direct one, Jaime highly values his time in the service and hospitality industry. Through those experiences he learned the necessary interpersonal skills to sincerely connect with his clients and to provide when possible the peace of mind they need. Jaime’s professional philosophy is that an attorney should be a guide, a fixed point for clients to orient themselves when going through uncertain and anxious times. He does this by walking his clients through the entire legal process, by having open, honest, and direct communication with them so they feel informed, educated, and in turn, feel empowered. Jaime attended the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he graduated with a BA in Psychology, a minor in Philosophy, and a concentration in Mexican American Studies, earning a spot on the Dean’s List. During his time at UTSA, he developed his organizational and leadership skills serving for three years as the UTSA chapter president of Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc., a fraternal organization dedicated to hands-on community service. There he volunteered with multiple non-profit organizations such as the South Texas Blood & Tissue Bank, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, and Ronald McDonald House. After being admitted to South Texas College of Law Houston, Jaime served as a student attorney for the Immigration Law Clinic, working on Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJS) cases involving unaccompanied minors, adjustment of status cases, and naturalization applications. During his time at South Texas, Jaime would earn a CALI Award (highest class grade) in Legal Research and Writing II, would intern with the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division, and serve as a law clerk at a highly reputable Houston immigration firm. Jaime graduated Cum Laude from law school in the class of 2018 and passed the bar exam that same year. Since becoming licensed, Jaime has dedicated his entire legal career serving Texas personal injury plaintiffs. Jaime has done so by taking depositions, drafting and arguing motions and responses in front of judges, negotiating settlements, performing legal research, drafting a petition for writ of mandamus to the Ninth Court of Appeals, and both preparing for and attending trial. Jaime joined The de la Garza Law Group in August of 2022, where he continues to fight for injured clients. Jaime is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the Houston Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Mexican American Bar Association of Houston. Outside of work Jaime enjoys working out with friends in the gym, Camp Gladiator, and RIDE. He also enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends (their pets included), reading interesting books, watching movies at home and in theaters, playing video and computer games, eating out, and traveling when the opportunity arises.

  Education:

  Certifications:

  Services:

  Link: Jaime Ivan Perez