Hello, I’m Mercedes García-French, Esq., an American and international attorney licensed by the State Bar of California.

As a Latina who has built her legal career across several continents, I understand both the professional and emotional aspects of relocating and starting a new life in another country.

Understanding your legal options is essential to building the life you dream of — and my mission is to help you achieve it legally, safely, and strategically through the E-2 Visa.

My journey has been one of courage, exploration, and transformation.

I was born and raised in Ecuador, where my curiosity about the world began. In 2008, I received a scholarship to study Economics at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan. I lived for a full year with a Japanese host family — with whom I still keep in touch and visit to this day. That year changed my life forever. During the summer, I traveled throughout Southeast Asia for three months, discovering new cultures and ways of life that deepened my love for human connection and global perspective.

In 2012, I moved to the Netherlands to pursue a Master of Laws in International Business Law (LL.M.) at Utrecht University, where I graduated Cum Laude. While studying and working at a local gym, I lived with a Dutch family, immersing myself in their culture and daily rhythm. After completing my thesis, I traveled across Europe for three months, learning independence and trust in the unknown — lessons that continue to guide me today.

My next chapter took me to the Caribbean, where I lived for over a year while completing my Master of Laws in American Law (LL.M., Cum Laude) from Florida Coastal School of Law. I fell in love with the region’s natural beauty and hiked the Waitukubuli National Trail, the longest trail in the Caribbean, while participating in the Nature Island Challenge, a televised adventure race aired on ESPN. Those months taught me the power of perseverance, teamwork, and staying grounded in nature.

After Dominica, I moved to the United States, graduated from my American Law program in Jacksonville, and spent the summer working at Seneca Camp (New York) as a dance instructor — one of the most enriching experiences I’ve had in this country. I then relocated to California, where I faced one of the greatest professional challenges of my life: passing the California Bar Exam. Despite statistics showing that fewer than 10 percent of foreign attorneys succeed, I passed after five attempts — a victory that symbolizes my conviction that perseverance always overcomes limitation.

Once licensed, I joined a prestigious California law firm, where I gained valuable experience in Family Law. In 2019, I also had the opportunity to compete in “Ultimate Tag,” a show televised by FOX and filmed at Warner Bros. Studios. The experience gave me a glimpse into Hollywood’s creative energy and allowed me to work alongside talented and disciplined athletes — an unforgettable adventure that reminded me how discipline and joy can coexist.

In 2021, I founded García-French Law, a boutique immigration firm exclusively dedicated to helping foreign entrepreneurs obtain the E-2 Investor Visa and establish strong, sustainable businesses in the United States. In 2022, I obtained my California Real Estate Broker License, expanding my understanding of business operations and investment regulations in the U.S. , a credential that strengthens my E-2 Visa practice and the strategic guidance I provide to entrepreneurs.

For me, being a lawyer means far more than practicing law; it means walking beside those who dare to reinvent themselves in a new country and helping them turn their dreams into reality.

Before founding García-French Law, my career spanned corporate, family, and immigration law at both the international and U.S. levels.

I had the privilege of working with Borton Petrini LLP, a respected California law firm, where I represented clients in both metropolitan and rural communities — including Central Valley farmers and business owners seeking immigration solutions for their workforce. This experience gave me a deep understanding of how U.S. immigration law intersects with real business operations and community needs.

Earlier in my career, I served as Legal Counsel for multinational corporations such as GNC and Gold’s Gym, gaining hands-on experience in international contracts, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and cross-border business operations. I also worked as Head Counsel for EL CAFÉ C.A., Ecuador’s largest instant coffee manufacturer, where I supervised the legal department on matters involving labor law, construction, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, and finance.

This combination of global business and U.S. immigration law experience shaped the foundation of my current practice. Today, I approach every E-2 Visa case with a strategic understanding of how international entrepreneurs think, invest, and build sustainable operations in the United States. My background allows me to provide not only legal guidance, but also practical insight into the challenges and opportunities foreign investors face as they expand their businesses abroad.

Outside of my practice, I stay connected to the world that shaped me.

As an international attorney, I have lived, studied, and worked across North and South America, Europe, and Asia, which has strengthened my cultural awareness and ability to connect with clients from diverse backgrounds.

I love working out, spending time in nature, visiting Europe and Asia, and traveling throughout South America, especially to connect with Latin American entrepreneurs who aspire to expand to the United States through the E-2 Visa.

A life devoted to movement and wellness gives me the energy and discipline to pursue every goal with focus and purpose. Physical and mental strength are part of my daily life, and they mirror the mindset I bring to my legal practice: consistency, clarity, and resilience.

Having visited 54 countries, I’ve learned to see beyond borders, both personally and professionally. Each journey, each encounter, reminds me why I do this work: to help others step boldly into the life they were meant to live.