Attorney Sergio Garcia was the featured speaker at this year’s Sampling for Success, held June 11 at Trinity Church in Menlo Park.Sergio, who is the first undocumented immigrant to be admitted to the State Bar of California, spoke about the challenges he faced – from his early days in Mexico to his quest to convince state legislators to pass legislation that would enable him to practice law.

After graduating from high school, Sergio was accepted to Stanford and UC Berkeley but, because of his undocumented status, was unable to qualify for financial aid. Sergio attended Butte Community College and then graduated from Cal Northern School of Law in 2009. Four years later, the California State Legislature passed landmark legislation making it possible for him to practice law.

This year’s event was the first to offer an auction of services provided by SASS entrepreneurs, a group that included two handymen, a gardener, a Spanish tutor, and a pet sitter.