State Bar Seizes Business of Upland Woman Engaged in the Unauthorized Practice of Law

The State Bar of California announced today that it seized the illegal business of Teresita Garcia of Upland on Friday, January 9, 2026, after receiving complaints-confirmed by Garcia's former employee-that Garcia represented herself as an attorney when she has never been licensed to practice law in California.

Garcia, doing business as Impacto Legal and Impacto Legal and Associates, advertised her legal services in Spanish-language outlets and on Yelp, claiming to practice law in divorce and family law, criminal law, DUI law, and other legal matters.

A San Bernardino Superior Court granted the Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC) an interim order on Thursday, January 8, 2026, to execute the seizure at Garcia's Upland business following an ex parte hearing with the court. OCTC seized six boxes with 91 client files and downloaded from Garcia's computer 208 electronic files belonging to various clients.

"The unauthorized practice of law (UPL) puts consumers at serious risk, especially those in vulnerable situations, such as criminal defendants or many involved in family law proceedings," said George Cardona, Chief Trial Counsel. "By seizing this operation, we seek to protect the public from those who misrepresent themselves as attorneys and send a clear message that individuals who do so will be held accountable."

In June 2024, OCTC opened an investigation into Garcia's operation after receiving complaints that she engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. One of the complainants was a woman who stated that Garcia signed a retainer agreement to handle her divorce and a domestic violence restraining order, promised attorney representation, and gave ongoing legal advice. Garcia prepared and filed court documents listing her own contact information and faxed them under her business name "Impacto Legal."

While the woman thought that Garcia was her attorney, Garcia arranged for an attorney to appear at a hearing without her client's consent, then later withdrew the attorney's representation without notice, leaving the woman to appear in court alone. After paying Garcia via Zelle under the name "Teresita Garcia Abogada" ("attorney" in Spanish), the client requested a refund when her case stalled, but Garcia refused. The client sued in small-claims court and won; the judge admonished Garcia and the attorney she hired for fee sharing and likely violating the California Rules of Professional Conduct.

One of Garcia's former employees provided a witness statement, stating that Garcia represented herself as an attorney to clients and routinely had her clients sign blank Substitution of Attorney forms as part of her practice.

Clients of Teresita Garcia, dba as Impacto Legal and Impacto Legal and Associates, can retrieve files by calling 213-765-1589 (English and Spanish).

The State Bar has a unit dedicated to investigating and addressing UPL throughout California. People who have been targeted by someone who is not licensed to practice law can file an unauthorized practice of law complaint with the State Bar. There is no cost, and U.S. citizenship is not required; the State Bar will not ask complainants about their citizenship or immigration status. The online complaint form is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

As a warning to the public, the names of those who have received unauthorized practice of law Cease and Desist notices are posted, by county, on the State Bar website. The State Bar also provides consumer information about avoiding legal fraud, including the unauthorized practice of law, and tips about avoiding immigration legal services fraud.

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The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.