English-Speaking Attorneys

Robert J. Herford

Charlotte, NC

Robert J. Herford graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s degree in History in 2011 and earned his Juris Doctor from the Charleston School of Law in 2015. He has represented individuals in North Carolina and South Carolina in cases ranging from smaller claims to catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, including a $5 million verdict in Iredell County for a wrongful death case. He is an active member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and has presented at multiple Continuing Legal Education courses. He is licensed to practice law in all state courts of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, as well as Federal Courts including the Western District of North Carolina, and has appeared on matters in the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Nicholas "Nick" Denzer

McAllen, TX

Nick Denzer was born in San Antonio, Texas and raised in Beeville and The Woodlands, Texas. He is a graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law, where he was on the Dean’s List and received a top-ranking honor in International and Domestic Arbitration. During law school, Nick was also an associate member and articles editor for the University of Toledo Law Review. Nick received his B.A. from Brigham Young University in Utah. He is also a licensed attorney in Colorado. Prior to moving to the valley, Nick worked as a volunteer attorney in the University of Denver’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. Nick works as a trial attorney on wide ranging issues in the areas of civil litigation, insurance defense, and personal injury defense. Nick has also handled appeals to the Texas Supreme Court and 13th Court of Appeals. He has experience in the tax law field and works with cases involving the IRS. When he's not at the office, Nick enjoys watching English Premier League soccer, traveling and volunteering with his local church. Nick and his wife have three children and are happy to call south Texas home.

Nicole J. Garcia

Santa Monica, CA

Nicole J. Garcia is a Partner with Randolph & Associates. Her areas of focus include personal injury, wrongful death, negligent security, premises liability, sexual assault, product liability, and commercial torts. Nicole joined the firm in 2019 with four years of defense litigation experience. She brings with her an intimate understanding of insurance and defense mentalities and strategies, which will allow her to better recognize and avoid the common pitfalls of many a plaintiff attorney as well as to better negotiate a resolution of claims on behalf of injured individuals. She has had remarkable success in her young career as a defense attorney but is excited to hand in her defense in order to use her unique skill set to begin helping injured individuals seek justice and compensation from insurance companies and other corporate giants.

Greig Coates, M.D., J.D.

Las Cruces, NM

Greig Coates is both a physician and an attorney at Poulos & Coates, LLP. With over thirty years of experience, he has successfully represented plaintiffs in various medical malpractice lawsuits, taking several thousand physician depositions and trying several dozen cases to successful verdicts. He was appointed by the New Mexico Supreme Court to review and revise the New Mexico Medical Review Commission and provides testimony to the New Mexico legislature.

James M. Thorson, Jr.

Miamisburg, OH

James M. Thorson, Jr. is a founding partner of Thorson Switala Mondock & Snead LLP, established in 1999. A 1990 graduate of the University of Dayton School of Law, he began his career fighting unfair tactics of insurance companies after being seriously injured in a car accident. He has dedicated his legal career to personal injury and wrongful death cases and served on the Dayton Bar Association Ethics Committee for over a decade.

Vince de la Cruz graduated from Florida International University (Miami, FL) with a degree in Public Administration and earned his JD from Arizona State University. Vince’s educational foundation reflects his dedication to both law and business. With an additional Master of Business Administration from St. Thomas University (Miami Gardens, FL), his expertise spans beyond the legal realm. He is an experienced professional with a diverse background that has shaped his legal journey. Throughout his esteemed career, Vince takes immense pride in his ability to provide assistance to clients when others couldn’t, always maintaining a sense of fairness and integrity. A standout accomplishment includes his successful resolution of a substantial loss of use claim for a tractor-trailer case, a highlight that underscores his legal expertise. Vince’s aspiration remains steadfast: to passionately advocate for his clients, leveraging his expertise to deliver optimal outcomes. Guided by the principles of detailed planning and unwavering dedication, he upholds a professional and personal reputation for excellence. Originating from the vibrant city of Miami, Florida, Vince’s upbringing in the dynamic Shenandoah area, with its closeness to distinct cultural landmarks, has contributed to his well-rounded perspective. The great influence of his father, characterized by a strong work ethic and a commitment to helping others, instilled in Vince a sense of purpose and compassion. With a legacy of dedication, professionalism, and a deep appreciation for the meaningful aspects of life, Vince de la Cruz stands as a beacon of integrity in the legal field. Vince de la Cruz holds a Bachelor of Public Administration from Florida International University and a Master of Business Administration from St. Thomas University. He received his law degree from Arizona State University. Prior to moving to Atlanta he practiced law in Miami, Florida and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. de la Cruz has litigation experience in a wide range of settings including federal multidistrict litigation, state courts, EEOC and MSPB matters. His experience in arbitration, mediation and settlement negotiations includes serving as a pro bono facilitator for the Second Judicial District Court of New Mexico. He has represented clients in personal injury cases including auto accidents, trucking accidents, premise liability and wrongful death for over 22 years. Mr. de la Cruz is fluent in Spanish.

Cristina García-Chappell

Pflugerville, TX

Cristina García is a highly accomplished Mexican attorney with dual licenses in Texas and Mexico. She obtained an LLM from the University of Texas in Austin and passed the Texas Bar Exam in 2019. She was recognized as one of Texas’s Top 100 lawyers and a Top 10 attorney in Austin in 2023. She is also a member of the Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association.

Lisa N. Murray is an experienced personal injury lawyer at Murray & Murray LLC, dedicated to serving the Baton Rouge, LA community. She handles pro-bono legal matters and has won significant awards for clients in cases involving grievous injuries. She is a graduate of LSU School of Law and is known for giving free legal advice to the elderly and underprivileged.

Ryne Bazan

Houston, TX

Ryne Bazan, born and raised in Edinburg, Texas, developed a strong sense of justice from a young age. He has been defending injured Texans against insurance companies as a personal injury trial lawyer for nearly a decade, trying multiple cases that resulted in six and seven-figure verdicts across Texas.

Danay Gonzalez

Bakersfield, CA

Danay Gonzalez is an award-winning trial attorney and partner at Rodriguez & Associates, known for zealously representing clients in complex personal injury claims, including wrongful death and school sex abuse matters. Inspired by her upbringing in Lamont, CA, and her Hispanic heritage, she is a strong voice for her community, empowering clients through her natural compassion, empathy, and Spanish fluency. She has contributed to multiple record-breaking verdicts in Kern County.

Joseph Viener

Garden City, NY

Joseph B. Viener, graduated from Washington University in 1989 and Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 1992. He is admitted to practice before the New York State and Federal Courts. Mr. Viener is a member of Sanders, Sanders, Block, Woycik, Viener & Grossman, P.C. He joined the firm in 1992. He supervises the Medical Malpractice Department at the firm. He ensures that all cases are given the individualized attention they deserve and are processed timely and efficiently. Mr. Viener has also represented the firm’s clients in discrimination cases. Mr. Viener has successfully fought for the rights of prisoners all over New York State. Additionally, he has successfully litigated claims against the police for unnecessary force during arrests and wrongful interrogations. Mr. Viener is married and is the proud father of three children.

Paul Kaushal is an attorney specializing in personal injury, accident, and criminal defense cases, serving clients across Kokomo, Indianapolis, Frankfort, and central Indiana. He provides aggressive and compassionate representation, offering concierge-level legal support. He has been practicing since 2016.

Rafael Viego III, Esq.

Miami, FL

Mr. Viego focuses his practice on commercial and residential property insurance claims, personal/catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, defamation/entertainment law, commercial litigation, medical malpractice, PIP, Americans with Disabilities, Age Discrimination in Employment, and Civil Rights. His practice also includes products liability actions against large corporations including major automotive manufacturers. In addition, Mr. Viego’s practice has required him to be admitted to multiple Federal Districts Courts in Florida, Texas, and Colorado and Pro Hoc into other Federal Courts such as Arkansas, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. Mr. Viego’s experience, success, and ability to effectively communicate both in English and Spanish has allowed him to be a frequent guest on CNN Español. At CNN Español, Mr. Viego provides balanced, non-partisan, legal commentary on important domestic and international current events. Prior to joining THE HERNANDEZ LEGAL GROUP, Mr. Viego worked in both a defense and nationally recognized plaintiff’s firm where he proved himself to be an invaluable asset in numerous trials that involve multiple issues ranging from a residential insurance claim, catastrophic injury/crash worthiness, complex products liability, employment (FLSA), and wrongful death. His communication skills and legal experience have given him a broad range of knowledge and the ability to serve as an excellent advocate for his clients. During that period of time, he had a number of successful outcomes as a trial attorney.

Virginia E. Anello

New York, NY

Partner Virginia E. Anello was born and raised in Covington, Louisiana, and currently heads up the firm’s New Orleans office. She graduated magna cum laude from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a minor in Italian. She earned her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Civil Law Degree from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU. Ms. Anello is admitted to practice law in New York, Massachusetts, and Louisiana, and has devoted her career to representing injury victims and consumers in mass tort and class actions.

Gail L. Price concentrates in the areas of zoning and planning, representing commercial, industrial and residential developers in connection with land development and construction related issues. She represents national supermarket and hotel chains, developers of assisted living and congregate care facilities, houses of worship, pharmacies, restaurants and other retail chains in securing government approval for the development of corporate owned and leased properties. She is experienced with all federal and state land use and environmental regulations and has represented national corporations in complex litigation on zoning issues of first impression. She has extensive experience working with professional consulting teams on a wide range of Redevelopment projects, as well as serving as lead counsel in prerogative writ litigation throughout the state. Ms. Price has served as counsel to the Harrington Park Planning Board since the early1980’s and also served for more than 15 years as attorney for the Village of Ridgewood Planning Board. She has served as a trustee for the New Jersey State Bar Association Land Use Section and served for 19 years as a trustee with the Bergen County Bar Association (BCBA), where she continues to co-chair the Land Use Law Section. Ms. Price is a former trustee of the New Jersey Institute of Municipal Attorneys, is an associate member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, and is part of the Pipeline organization comprised of professional women in the real estate industry. She graduated cum laude from Lehigh University (1979), received her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law (1982) and completed a judicial clerkship in the Tax Court of New Jersey. She is admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York, the District of Columbia, the United States Tax Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. She has served on the Lehigh University Board of Trustees and a founding member of the College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Board. She has also served as President and Alumni Trustee for the Lehigh Alumni Association, representing the University’s more than 55,000 alumni. She has served as President of the Class of 1979 and as speaker at the Inauguration of the University’s 13th President, Dr. Alice Gast. She was a member of the President’s Council on Women, was honored as Young Alumnae of the Year in 1984 and was chosen to serve as the Honors Convocation Speaker in 1988. Gail is very active with civic and charitable organizations. She served as Chair for the Board of Directors for March of Dimes, North Jersey Division, was the Chair for more than 30 years for the organization’s black tie event -the Chestnut Ridge Harvest Ball, and was the proud recipient of the Chapter’s Volunteer of the Year Award. Her daughter Mackenzie served as the National Ambassador in 2000 and the family completed the year as Ambassador Family. She is a member and provides pro bono legal services for the College Club of Ridgewood, has sat on the Advisory Boards for the Paterson Habitat for Humanity and the Women’s Institute at Bergen Community College. She also has served as a past board member for the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, the Girl Scout Council of Bergen County and American Stage Company.

Jennifer Szymczak

Tampa, FL

Attorney Jennifer Szymczak joined the Maddux Law team in 2008 as a law clerk and graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 2010. She practices Civil Rights litigation, criminal defense, and personal injury law, and is the managing attorney of the Gainesville, FL office. She is a member of the Florida Bar and admitted to practice in the Northern, Middle, and Southern federal court districts in Florida and the Eleventh Circuit Federal Court of Appeals. She is a graduate of the Florida Bar Leadership Academy Class V and a member of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Florida Bar Criminal Law Section. She also served on the Florida Bar Advertising Grievance Committee. Jennifer is fluent in English and Czech.

Lior Katz

Woodland Hills, CA

Lior Katz is the managing attorney and founder of Katz Law. After graduating from the top of his class, Lior worked for many years as a senior attorney for a busy litigation firm representing large corporate entities. After realizing that there was shortage of lawyers who actually care about their clients, Lior decided to open the doors to Katz Law.

Alexis Gonzalez

Coral Gables, FL

Attorney Alexis Gonzalez was born and raised in Miami, Florida. While Ms. Gonzalez's practice primarily concentrates on family law, her practice also consists of general civil litigation, personal injury claims, property damage and contract disputes. Alexis' passion for family advocacy began early on in her career, working as a pre-school teacher while completing her undergraduate degree. Seeking a change of pace, Ms. Gonzalez left the classroom and joined the Gonzalez & Associates team in 2011 as a legal assistant. It was during her time here that her second passion ignited - a passion for the law, leading her to Florida International University School of Law after two years with the firm. During law school, Alexis spent her time focusing on advocating for children's', families' and LGBT rights spending time working in the school's Family and Education Law Clinic, Domestic Violence Clinic, and serving as Vice President of the Stonewall Legal Alliance (FIU's LGBT Law Association). In 2016, Alexis re-joined the Gonzalez & Associates Team as an associate, establishing the Family Law area of practice within the Firm and going on to secure two successful verdicts at trial within her first two years of practice. As a family law attorney, Alexis places a high importance on her role not only as advocate, but as counselor to her clients, taking time to listen and understand each clients' unique circumstance. Alexis is admitted to practice in Florida State Courts as well as in United States District Courts.

Joanna J. Lambridis is a seasoned trial attorney in The Ward Law Group's New York City office, specializing in personal injury, premises liability, and labor law matters. With over a decade of courtroom experience, she has recovered hundreds of millions for plaintiffs and is known for her tenacity and expertise in complex litigation. She is fluent in English and Greek, and conversational in Spanish and French.

Michael Z. Pehlevanian

Woodland Hills, CA

Michael Z. Pehlevanian is an Associate Attorney focusing on personal injury litigation for police officers, firefighters, and their families. He joined the firm in 2022, bringing experience as a defense attorney for self-insured companies and insurers. He earned his J.D. cum laude from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and is fluent in Armenian.

Danay Acevedo

Miami, FL

Danay Acevedo is the Managing Partner at Miami Legal Firm. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Pre-Law from Barry University in 2006, a Master’s in Business Administration from Florida International University, and a Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2011. Admitted to the Florida Bar, she has been practicing personal injury law since. Known for her commitment to justice and as a tireless fighter for her clients, she is a passionate advocate for the community in South Florida.

Gordon A. Byars

Cookeville, TN

Mr. Byars is not a native Tennessean but has chosen to settle in Cookeville, Tennessee to raise his family and represent the citizens of Tennessee. He was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, and moved to West Tennessee as a teenager. He graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. He then attended Lincoln Memorial University’s - Duncan School of Law, where he clerked for the Tennessee Attorney General and Reporter's Office. Since 2014, he has developed a successful litigation practice in the Upper Cumberland region focusing on criminal defense, business defense, and general civil litigation. He has conducted many jury trials and argued before the Tennessee Court of Appeals. He is a graduate of the Tennessee Criminal Defense College (2017) and is actively involved in criminal defense issues on both state and national levels. He serves on the Board of Directors for TACDL and is a member of NACDL. He has been named an Attorney for Justice by the Tennessee Supreme Court for pro bono work in 2016, 2017, and 2018. He also lectures annually at Tennessee Tech University on Knowing Your Rights.

Kevin Valdez

Albuquerque, NM

Kevin Valdez is an attorney in our personal injury department. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Maryland and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. After law school, Kevin was selected for a national fellowship with the Public Defender Corp, a national program focused on improving trial advocacy for public defenders in southern states. Upon completion of his fellowship, Kevin moved to Maryland where he practiced as a Public Defender and was awarded the In re Gault award from the Maryland Office of the Public Defender for excellence in advocacy for juvenile clients. After relocating to Arizona with his partner, Kevin began working as a personal injury attorney. In 2025, he was admitted to the New Mexico Bar and now brings his extensive experience as a trial attorney to Shapiro Law, where he provides zealous representation to his clients both in and outside of the courtroom.

Robert M. Dumes

Middletown, OH

Robert Dumes practices primarily in the areas of Family Law (divorce and dissolution), Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, and Probate and Adoption matters. Currently, he is “of counsel” at Hurley Law, and is licensed throughout the State of Ohio. Mr. Dumes handles legal matters not only in Butler County, but also in the surrounding counties of Hamilton, Warren, Preble, and Montgomery. With over 42 years of experience, including working as a magistrate in the Domestic Relations Court of Butler County and serving as a prosecutor in Middletown, Mr. Dumes is committed to working and serving his clients and to providing his clients with the highest quality legal service based on understanding their needs and objectives. Clients benefit from his experience working for and practicing with learned practitioners and Judges over the years. During his time in law school, Mr. Dumes served as the law clerk for the Honorable Fred B. Cramer, who at the time of his passing, had served as a Common Pleas Judge in the State of Ohio for more than 40 years. Additionally, Mr. Dumes was previously engaged in the practice of law with two distinguished jurists: The Honorable James E. Walsh who served as the Fairfield Municipal Court Judge and as a Judge on Ohio Twelfth District Court of Appeals before his retirement, and the late and Honorable David J. Niehaus who served as the Butler County Probate Judge before becoming the Butler County Juvenile Court Judge.