Cristina García-Chappell

Early Life and Values

Cristina García-Chappell is a highly accomplished attorney licensed to practice in both Texas and Mexico. Today, she leads García Injury Law with skill, integrity, and compassion—values shaped by a personal and professional journey that began in the small coastal town of Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Born into a modest household deeply rooted in service, Cristina grew up in a home with six family members. Her father, Guillermo Garcia (RIP), a well-known local doctor, often brought her along on visits to a shelter run by the Missionaries of Charity, where he treated elderly patients and children who had been abandoned. Witnessing these acts of compassion at an early age instilled in her the core values of empathy, resilience, and solidarity—principles that continue to define her legal practice today.

A Calling to Serve

Cristina’s passion for serving others only grew stronger over time. As a young Catholic missionary, she worked in rural communities in the Huasteca region, guided by Jesuit values and the enduring motto of St. Ignatius of Loyola: “In all things, to love and serve.”

While studying law in Mexico, she began doing pro bono legal work in underserved communities, handling family law cases and labor disputes to ensure that justice was accessible to those who needed it most.

From Diplomacy to Injury Law

After graduating in 2006, Cristina took her first formal legal role at the Mexican Consulate in Austin, offering legal support to Mexican nationals. She later joined Mexico’s diplomatic corps as Chief of Staff to the Ambassador in China and served as Press Attaché during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

But in 2009, she discovered her true calling—personal injury law—when she worked alongside Steve Pastrana, who would become a key mentor in her legal career.

For more than 15 years, Cristina has walked alongside clients through some of the most painful and uncertain moments of their lives. Her legal experience—rooted in both civil and common law traditions—has allowed her to craft strong legal strategies, defend her clients’ rights before insurance companies and courts, and fight for the compensation they are legally entitled to receive.

García Injury Law: A Mission of Justice

In 2025, Cristina took a decisive and meaningful step forward by founding García Injury Law. She named the firm after her father to honor the man who taught her to live a life of service.

More than a name, the firm represents a deeper purpose: to offer legal excellence, unwavering dedication, and human empathy to every person who walks through its doors.

Cristina’s work is not just about winning cases but about restoring dignity, offering hope, and ensuring that every voice is heard.

Recognition and Community Work

In 2024, Cristina was honored by the Mexican government with the prestigious ‘Mexicana Distinguida en el Exterior’ award, which recognized her outstanding professional contributions and lifelong dedication to the Hispanic community abroad.

She serves on the Executive Committee of the Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association (CATLA), participates in the Pro Bono Pledge with over 50 hours of free legal services per year, and works closely with the Mexican Consulate in Austin to support individuals who cannot otherwise access legal representation.

In his article “Cristina García, from Double Minority to Double Licensed,” journalist Danyl K. Jones writes:

“What differentiates her from other attorneys is the empathy that she displays for what her clients are going through. Her experience as a double minority… is the same experience that gives her the strength to efficiently serve her clients.”

Her clients affectionately know Cristina as La Mera Mera Abogada™, a title that reflects the deep trust and admiration she has earned in the Hispanic community.

She lives in Round Rock, Texas, with her husband, Chris Chappell, their children Lucía and Joaquín, and their beloved dogs, Pulga and Luna.