Arabic-Speaking Attorneys

Kate Gagutlova

Seattle, WA

Kate Gagutlova moved to the U.S. from Russia and earned a master’s degree in linguistics and interpreting, then a bachelor’s degree in Business and Innovation in Technology from the University of Washington. She attended Seattle University School of Law, where she worked as a research assistant and in the Defenders Clinic. She is fluent in Russian, English, and French, and studied Arabic, Spanish, Italian, and Turkish.

Gina Nassar

Haddon Heights, NJ

Gina Nassar is a skilled attorney specializing in family law and land use matters. She handles litigation in municipal courts, including trials, hearings, and motions. Her land use expertise covers planning, permitting, and zoning board appearances. In family law, she assists clients with divorce, child custody, and adoption, also offering mediation and negotiation services. Gina is fluent in Arabic.

Muaath Ali

Anaheim Hills, CA

Muaath Ali is a Partner at Ali Law Group. Since graduating from Michigan State University College of Law, Mr. Ali has devoted his legal practice to the field of workers’ compensation. Mr. Ali spent years working for one of the largest workers’ compensation defense firms in California, defending employers and insurance companies. After honing his skills, he is now using those skills to work against employers and insurance companies, representing injured workers. Mr. Ali’s belief that injured workers should have the very best representation has led him to become a co-founder of Ali Law Group, where he is able to blend his compassion for injured workers and knowledge of the law to bring about swift and superb results for his clients. Mr. Ali has devoted his entire legal career to aggressively litigating workers’ compensation cases. He has litigated hundreds of cases before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Boards throughout California. Mr. Ali’s experience makes him well-equipped to handle the complexities of workers’ compensation law from both a legal and practical perspective. As a result, Mr. Ali has been able to maximize monetary settlements for his clients while also providing them with access to the medical treatment necessary to cure and relieve the effects of their industrial injuries. Mr. Ali has been a featured speaker for various workers’ compensation and employment seminars, including the annual Work Comp Central Conference and the California Society of Industrial Medicine and Surgery Conference. Mr. Ali is also a proud member of the Alumni Board of Directors at California State University, Los Angeles, where he serves on multiple committees.

Michel Shenouda

Los Angeles, CA

Michel Shenouda is dedicated to helping clients navigate the legal process and receive proper compensation. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Pacific Union College and a Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. He is fluent in English and Arabic.

Mohamad H Bazzi

Dearborn, MI

Attorney Mohamad H Bazzi graduated from The Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School and also has a bachelor’s degree in biology. His practice areas include Personal Injury, Auto Accidents, Slip and Fall, and Dog Bites. Mohamad makes it his priority to create an optimal attorney-client relationship to ensure the best results for his clients. Mohamad is the attorney for you if you are looking for an attorney who will relentlessly fight for your rights and listen to your needs.

Loulya Alabed

Overland Park, KS

Loulya is a dedicated attorney who brings a unique perspective to legal practice. As a second-generation immigrant, she has firsthand experience navigating cultural differences, allowing her to connect with and understand the challenges faced by clients from diverse backgrounds. This cultural insight helps Loulya empathize with all clients, providing reassurance and guidance through a legal process that can be unfamiliar and overwhelming. In law school, Loulya interned for Judge Brian Wimes of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri and worked at a plaintiff’s firm, enabling her to anticipate strategies used by opposing attorneys. In her free time, she enjoys staying active and traveling, further embracing diverse cultures.

Salah Shawa

Ridgewood, NY

Salah Shawa is a dedicated personal injury attorney at Grigoropoulos Law Group, specializing in serious accidents and medical malpractice. He is known for his tough and detail-driven advocacy, handling cases from depositions to trial. He is fluent in Arabic, English, and French, and represents clients from diverse backgrounds across New York.

Farida Loutfi

Plantation, FL

Born in Cairo, Egypt, Farida Loutfi has called South Florida home since the age of five. She is fully licensed to practice law in Florida and is fluent in Arabic.

Leon Bassil

Dallas, TX

Leon started his law career on the corporate side, working as a workers’ compensation defense attorney for insurance companies and businesses. Driven by a profound sense of justice, he pivoted his path after two years, redirecting his focus solely towards championing the rights of plaintiffs. “I wanted to switch over to the plaintiff’s side to help people seek justice and make real changes in their lives,” Leon said. “When I represent injury victims, I take up their fight as if it is my very own.” Leon’s experience as a former defense attorney gives him valuable insights into the strategies of his opponents in personal injury cases, which is a powerful advantage for his clients. As an attorney who is committed to providing personalized representation, Leon makes it a point to listen to his clients’ concerns and address his needs in the best way he can. Leon was born in Lebanon and moved to the U.S. with his family at the age of 9. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Irvine. He later attended law school on a part-time basis while launching multiple business ventures with his peers. Leon earned his juris doctorate (J.D.) degree from Pacific Coast University School of Law. Now, Leon is licensed to practice law in California, speaking both English and Arabic.

Hasan Kaakarli

Troy, MI

As the son of Syrian immigrants, Hasan became intimately aware of the hard work and perseverance it takes to succeed in today’s fast-paced world. Growing up, Hasan played a number of sports that underscored his “team-first” attitude. His growth mindset drives his passion to be a better person, lawyer, and teammate every day. Breaking barriers and bridging gaps comes naturally to Hasan, a member of the Oakland University Women’s Basketball team (as a practice player) while in undergrad. His role as a point guard, executing the game plan and setting his team up for success, pervades his professions. As your teammate, Hasan will work closely with you to reach your ultimate goal. Hasan graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 2016, where he was a Presidential Scholar. He was selected to represent Wayne State at the ABA National Moot Court Competition in Boston and the Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition in North Carolina. Hasan was also elected as a representative on the Student Board of Governors. As an Associate at Akeel & Valentine, PLC, Hasan continues his fight for justice and considers himself a foot soldier of the Constitution.

Isam Muntaser

Broadview Heights, OH

Mr. Muntaser is an alum of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and licensed in Ohio. As a son of immigrants, Mr. Muntaser has a strong work ethic that is second nature to him. He is the oldest of five siblings and worked full time in a Cleveland family business while obtaining his bachelor’s degree. With a father from Palestine and a mother from Venezuela, he understands diverse perspectives that clients may require. Mr. Muntaser’s legal experience is well rounded. Throughout law school he clerked in the public sector at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and The General Counsel Office of Cleveland State University. After that he shifted to civil litigation helping injured clients and continues to do so at TDP law firm. Outside of the legal world, Mr. Muntaser developed effective communication and people skills through work and volunteering experiences. Specifically, his background in helping run a family business which has given him strengths in customer service and the ability to pick up on social contexts. Furthermore, he can speak Arabic as a second language. These traits are naturally suitable for our clientele where communication is so important.

Jihan El Saouda

Sacramento, CA

Fluent in Arabic, Spanish and French, Jihan has a unique ability to identify subtleties and nuances. Her command of different languages and cultures effectively equips her to unravel layers of complexities and translates them into clear solutions for her clients.

Kathryn N. Brooks

Chicago, IL

Ms. Brooks is an Associate specializing in the defense of complex commercial, construction, premises liability, and product liability claims.

Christina Elhaddad

San Diego, CA

Christina Elhaddad is a Senior Associate at Hoffman & Forde, focusing on civil and business litigation, residential and commercial real estate, and immigration law. She has experience representing diverse organizations and individuals, including noncitizens in immigration proceedings and survivors of gender-based violence.

Ibrahim Hammoud

Troy, MI

Ibrahim originally hails from Canada, growing in London, Ontario. He joined the Seva Law Firm in 2017 as an all-around litigator. Being that he is of Lebanese descent and lives in Dearborn, most of Ibrahim’s clients are from the Dearborn area and communicate with him in Aarabic. Over his career, Ibrahim has won many millions for his clients including a $700,000 settlement for American military contractor injured overseas by a terrorist rocket attack. On his free time, Ibrahim enjoys basketball, jogging, reading, family barbecues, and spending time with family. He also loves video games!

Julia Nordlinger

Seattle, WA

Ms. Nordlinger’s practice focuses on civil defense litigation, including first- and third-party insurance defense. Previously, Ms. Nordlinger practiced a broad array of civil litigation and appellate work.

Sandy S. Sitto

Southfield, MI

Sandy S. Sitto obtained her Juris Doctor in 2010 from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She specializes in aggressively litigating for victims of motor vehicle accidents and has obtained millions of dollars for her clients. She is licensed to practice in various State district courts, circuit courts, and all federal courts in the Eastern District of Michigan. Sandy is fluent in Chaldean and Arabic.

Ali A. Berro

Detroit, MI

Ali A. Berro is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He co-founded the Arab-American Law Student Association. Ali attended Wayne State University for his undergraduate degrees, where he studied Journalism and Philosophy and minored in French. He has several years of experience in the personal injury field and is one of the Firm's supervising attorneys in the PI Department. He is known for his contract expertise in Real Estate, Construction, Business, and UCC laws, and assists in litigating criminal matters. Ali is a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association and the National Arab American Bar Association.

Alaa Ibrahim is the founding attorney of Ibrahim Law Firm, dedicated to providing clients with care, compassion, and personal attention. He has decades of experience and has recovered millions of dollars for clients.

Ali joins Meyers Law as an associate attorney, utilizing his extensive medical knowledge and background in medical negligence and personal injury litigation. He began his career as a registered nurse in a Detroit emergency department. After earning a Bachelors in Nursing from the University of Michigan-Flint, he became an Assistant Clinical Manager. Ali attended the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and previously worked as a Clinical Risk Manager at a hospital system. He brings unique insight to his practice and is fluent in Arabic. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, traveling, and boating.

Rula Aoun

Livonia, MI

Rula Aoun and has been with Cochran, Kroll & Associates since 2017. While attending Wayne State University School of Law, she served as an intern at the Wayne County Third Circuit Court and intern to the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She also participated in the Business Law Clinic, offering free legal services to Detroit area entrepreneurs, and interned at a refugee shelter assisting clients with preparing asylum applications. Prior to joining Cochran, Kroll & Associates P.C, Rula served as in-house counsel to a multi-national company. She later went on to practice immigration, intellectual property, family law, general civil disputes and litigation, and business law at a metro Detroit law firm. In addition to serving as an Associate Attorney, Rula formerly served as the Legal Director to the Arab-American Civil Rights League, a civil rights organization that offers pro-bono legal services and represents individual clients in agency based civil rights complaints. Rula brings her knowledge and skill in a variety of areas of law to assist clients with their day to day needs. In addition, Rula is fluent in Arabic and proficient in French.

Mohammed H. El-Bashir

Minneapolis, MN

Mohammed H. El-Bashir earned his BA from Grinnell College and JD from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. He has experience as a student certified attorney and judicial extern, and previously worked at personal injury/workers compensation and real estate/business firms. His practice focuses on criminal defense, housing law, and select civil matters. He is a fluent Arabic speaker.

Gary F. Maresca

Yonkers, NY

Mr. Maresca is knowledgeable in a number of areas of the law, with a primary concentration in real estate transactions. He has extensive experience in both conventional and complex residential and commercial real estate transactions and represents a number of institutional lenders as well as individuals and businesses in the purchase and sale of real estate and cooperative apartments. Mr. Maresca is also experienced in the practice of criminal defense law, landlord-tenant law, business law, estate planning, and the probate and administration of estates. Regardless of the type of case, Mr. Maresca is a zealous advocate for every one of his clients and is committed to giving prompt and personal attention to each and every matter.

ASHRAF DUGUM

San Diego, CA

Ashraf Dugum joined Aminpour & Associates in 2008 prior to graduating law school. Ashraf has a strong foundation in both business and law. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a focus on Marketing and a minor in Economics, from California State University Northridge. In 2009, he graduated from California Western School of Law and gained valuable experience interning for Congressman Brad Sherman. Ashraf has a deep connection to his community, having worked in his family business from a young age and continuing to do so throughout his academic career. Bilingual in Arabic and English, he maintains strong ties to the Middle Eastern community. Outside of his legal work, Ashraf is passionate about coaching kids’ basketball and enjoys spending time with his wife, children, and their dog Harley. He is also an avid video game enthusiast, balancing his professional and personal passions.