English-Speaking Attorneys

Philip F. Spillane

Danbury, CT

Philip F. Spillane received his J.D. from Western New England College School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Connecticut. He has been practicing law since 1978, focusing on Personal Injury and Worker’s Compensation. He successfully argued Harpaz v. Laidlaw Transit, Inc. in the Connecticut Supreme Court.

Timothy D. Houston

Charleston, WV

Tim Houston’s practice at Calwell Luce diTrapano PLLC primarily focuses on representing clients whose lives have been devastated by the medical malpractice of healthcare facilities and providers. Tim is a seasoned litigator with nearly 15 years of experience litigating cases involving highly complex matters of science and medicine in state and federal courts across the country. Tim has substantial trial and appellate experience representing West Virginians who have been tragically injured through no fault of their own as well as businesses large and small in complex contract and commercial disputes. Tim’s practice areas include medical malpractice, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death, toxic exposure, environmental contamination, product defect, premises liability, workplace discrimination and harassment, and complex business disputes. Before joining Calwell Luce diTrapano PLLC in 2022, Tim was the member-in-charge of the Charleston, West Virginia office of a multi-state law practice specializing in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death claims in addition to medical malpractice and product defect cases. Tim also served as the firm’s general counsel. Tim’s recent successes include cases against neurosurgeons, general practitioners, hospitalists, chiropractors, and emergency personnel for the failure to timely diagnose vertebral osteomyelitis and Cauda Equina Syndrome resulting in paraplegia as well as surgical error and negligent post-operative care cases causing catastrophic personal injuries and death. Tim has also successfully brought claims against healthcare professionals for the over-prescription of highly addictive and highly lethal opioids and against nursing homes for failure to provide adequate care to patients who cannot care for themselves during the most vulnerable time in their lives. Tim has also successfully resolved product defect claims against manufacturers, importers, and online retailers. While studying at The Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Duquesne University, Tim finished third in his class, graduating summa cum laude. Tim served as senior staff member of the Duquesne Law Review, was a member of Duquesne’s renowned National Moot Court Team, earning Order of the Barristers, and was the recipient of the Distinguished Student Award and other various accolades for the highest academic achievements. A few years after graduation, Tim was accepted into the prestigious Trial College at Stanford Law School in Palo Alto, California, where he studied trial advocacy.

Emily France

Charleston, WV

Emily France began practicing law in 2011 and joined Calwell Luce diTrapano PLLC as an attorney in 2021. Emily’s legal career spans commercial litigation in a large global law firm, federal and state judicial work, and plaintiff-side representation of injured clients. Her current practice focuses on personal injury claims, civil rights, and federal appeals. She has earned a reputation for excellence in complex legal drafting. After earning an undergraduate degree from Brown University and a master’s degree in writing from the University of Southern Maine, Emily was awarded the Jurist Scholarship to Valparaiso University School of Law, where she was named the Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review and graduated magna cum laude. Emily completed a one-year federal judicial externship in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana for the Honorable Joseph Van Bokkelen. She also completed a summer judicial clerkship in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois, for Judge Randye Kogan. Outside of the legal field, Emily is an accomplished writer. Her books have been chosen as a Washington Post Best Book, an Apple Best Book of the Month, a POPSUGAR Best New Historical Fiction, and received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly.

Jesse M. Minc

New York, NY

Jesse M. Minc is an associate at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP, known for his dedication and advocacy for the injured. He graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in 2011 and previously worked at a Wall Street law firm and served as a law clerk. He is admitted to practice in New York and federal district courts.

Michael D. Cleaves

Statesville, NC

Attorney Michael D. Cleaves is a talented and versatile lawyer with more than 20 years of experience, known for his reputation for results in criminal, personal injury, and workplace accident matters. He protects clients' rights in court and in negotiations with insurers, helping them understand their legal options and tailoring representation to their specific circumstances.

Yara Garcia is the leader of Yara Garcia & Abogadas, a bilingual law firm in Birmingham, Alabama. She has a deep understanding of the emotional and financial impact of court proceedings and provides guidance and representation in family law, immigration, and personal injury cases. She is admitted to practice in the Northern District of Alabama and the Immigration Court and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Cassandra L. Block (formerly Dulepski)

Hartford, CT

Attorney Cassandra L. Block is a graduate of Quinnipiac University and the University of Connecticut School of Law. Her practice is focused on the areas of personal injury and workers' compensation, as well as housing and animal law matters. Attorney Block handles all aspects of the firm's cases from intake to filing suit in court, mediation, arbitration, trial and settlement. She is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, including the Young Lawyers Section, Women in the Law Section, LGBT Section, and Chair of the Animal Law Section, as well as the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association. Attorney Block is committed to pro bono work in several areas including eviction defense. She and her wife have three dogs - Everest, Logan and Ro - all of whom love coming into the office, and three cats - Bernice, Cocoa Puff and Grayson! They also welcomed their son Reilly on September 25, 2024.

Clay Phillips

Montgomery, AL

Clay Phillips is a Montgomery, Alabama native and attorney with a unique background in construction. He holds a B.S. in Building Science from Auburn University and a Juris Doctorate from Thomas Goode Jones School of Law (2014). Prior to his legal career, he worked in construction for four years and owned his own construction company from 2002 to 2014, holding general contractor licenses in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, as well as an Alabama real estate license. He also served as a Deputy District Attorney in Montgomery for almost two years. Licensed in Alabama and Florida, Clay is known for his passionate, logical, and persistent approach to law, particularly in personal injury and construction litigation. He is actively involved in his community, serving as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church of Montgomery, and is a past board member of the One Place Family Justice Center. He is dedicated to providing personalized legal representation and a client-first approach.

David I. Grunfeld

Philadelphia, PA

David Grunfeld is Of Counsel, specializing in Family Law, Commercial Litigation and Collections, Bankruptcy, Estate Planning and Administration, and Professional Responsibility. He is recognized for his expertise in legal ethics and has served as an expert witness.

Fyodor Clay

Houston, TX

Fyodor Clay is a partner at Abbott, Clay & Bedoy, where he represents workers’ compensation claimants in their efforts to obtain fair benefits and medical care after being injured on the job. Clay was born and raised in the Fort Hood, Texas area. After graduating high school, Clay (as he is known by his clients) attended Auburn University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Afterwards, Clay attended the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, graduating in 1999. Following law school, Clay worked for the law firm of Adam Henderson in Houston, Texas, where he became a skilled workers’ compensation litigator, representing injured Texas workers. Clay joined our law firm in 2004, immediately establishing himself as a proactive and innovative member of our team. His success in hearings before the Texas Workers’ Compensation Division and his tireless advocacy on behalf of his clients earned him the award of Texas Super Lawyer four years in a row (2012 through 2015). In 2010, Houston’s own H-Texas Magazine named Clay as one of “Texas’ Top Lawyers” for his successful workers’ compensation practice. A perennial client favorite, Clay continually sets the bar for building client relations and simply “being there” for those he represents.

Ryan P. Richie graduated from Rutgers University in 1994 and the University of Baltimore School of Law, cum laude, in 1999. While in law school, Mr. Richie participated in the American Association for Justice Mock Trial competition, represented the University of Baltimore School of Law in the Robert F. Wagner National Labor and Employment Law Moot Court Competition, and worked as a Rule 16 student attorney for the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office. Mr. Richie was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1999 and the District of Columbia Bar in 2001. He is a member of the Federal Bar for Maryland, the Federal Bar for the District of Columbia, the Bar of the United States Court of Federal Claims, the American Association for Justice, the Maryland Association for Justice, the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers Association, and the Prince George's County Bar Association. Prior to joining Wilson & Parlett in 2002, Mr. Richie worked as defense counsel for a large insurance company. He now represents the interests of injury victims, trying cases regularly in Circuit and District courts, federal courts, and before the Workers' Compensation Commission and the Social Security Administration. Mr. Richie became a partner with the firm in 2010.

Daniel C. Martin

Omaha, NE

Daniel C. Martin is a proud native of Omaha, Nebraska with a strong drive to represent the hardworking people of the community. He connected strongly to his Mexican heritage through the Spanish language. Daniel has performed "service learning" in Peru, Mexico, and Omaha. As an attorney, he focuses on guiding clients along the pathway to justice, ensuring that their rights are recognized and their voices are heard. He was selected to participate in the 2024-2025 William J. Mueller Nebraska State Bar Association (NSBA) Leadership Academy.

Ethan W. Collins

Buffalo, NY

I graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center near the top of my class. During law school I worked as a litigation associate in the large and internationally recognized firm of Arias & Munoz in San Jose, Costa Rica, where I gained experience handling all kinds of different cases in English and Spanish. Following law school, I returned to Buffalo where I joined the firm founded by my grandfather. We have been in the business of representing injured Western New Yorkers for over 75 years and know all types of injury cases, inside and out. I am admitted in the State of New York and the United States District Court, Western District of New York. Since beginning my practice, I have collected millions of dollars for my clients. Some of my notable results include: Top 50 motor vehicle accident verdict in the State of New York (2017), Top 100 Personal Injury Verdict in the State of New York - Construction Site Accident (2017), and Top 10 Personal Injury Settlement in the State of New York (2019). For these results, and many others, I have been recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff’s Trial Lawyers in New York.

Kathleen E. Mannion

Kansas City, MO

I have dedicated my career to representing the legal rights of injured individuals, and it is a privilege to have the opportunity each day to pursue justice on behalf of good people who are encountering difficult circumstances. I am a native of St. Louis, Missouri, where I grew up with the goal of becoming a lawyer. I attended college at Webster University in St. Louis where I earned a B.A. in English, cum laude, and was a four-year member of the women's soccer team. Law school led me to Kansas City, where I quickly developed a sincere appreciation for the city's friendly atmosphere and progressive feel. I earned my J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 2011, where I served as the Articles & Symposia Editor of the UMKC Law Review. For the past several years, I have represented individuals in employment and personal injury matters in Kansas City and St. Louis. There are many aspects of practicing law that I love, but nothing feels more satisfying than witnessing a client's sincere gratitude upon achieving justice on his or her behalf.

Visar Maliqi

Louisville, KY

Visar Maliqi is a personal injury attorney who founded his firm in 2020 after graduating from the University of Louisville's Brandeis School of Law in 2017. He represents clients in Kentucky and Southern Indiana, focusing primarily on auto and trucking accidents, as well as slip-and-fall and wrongful death cases. He has helped hundreds of injury victims and provides personal attention to each client. His team can assist clients in English, Spanish, and Albanian.

Omar Salazar is a devoted husband, father, and advocate of truth. He represents individuals and legal entities in complex business litigation, commercial real estate litigation, fraud, Civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (“RICO”) Act litigation, mass tort, and multidistrict litigation, and in professional and medical malpractice actions. Mr. Salazar has gained extensive experience in complex litigation involving multiple and international parties and as a result, handles some of the firm’s more complicated litigation cases. Mr. Salazar has experience in trying jury and non-jury trials. His practice areas are spread throughout State and Federal Courts and represents individuals from all over the country in mass tort multidistrict litigation in federal court. Mr. Salazar is also one of the leaders in the Zantac multi-district litigation. Working side by side with Mac Legal helping people get the compensation they deserve.

Jeffrey Vizcaino

Orlando, FL

Jeffrey Vizcaino is an experienced Orlando personal injury attorney at The Law Offices of Pardy & Rodriguez, P.A. Mr. Vizcaino is a proud alumni of University of Central Florida, where he studied Legal Studies and graduated with honors. In order to further his study of law, he then graduated from the Florida A&M University Law School, where he once again graduated with Honors and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2017. While studying law, Mr. Vizcaino gained experience by working as a litigation paralegal for five years. He is of Dominican descent and has proudly resided in the Orlando area since 2001. He is passionate about helping the community he has called home for over the past 20 years. Mr. Vizcaino not only sees the needs of the community, but the needs of the individuals in it as well. Mr. Vizcaino is able to provide bilingual services to his clientele, as he is fluent in both Spanish and English. Vizcaino is passionate about representing injured Florida victims in a variety of personal injury cases and has done it successfully through years of experience.

Lillian J. Reyes-Joyce

Tampa, FL

Lillian Reyes-Joyce has an 'AV' rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been protecting the rights of injured persons for over 30 years. She is a partner at Joyce & Reyes Law Firm, PA since May 1987.

Brandon Cogburn

Texarkana, TX

Brandon Cogburn is a highly skilled partner attorney at Flint, Crawford & Cogburn, with 18 years of experience representing clients against insurance companies. He earned his J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2002. He is licensed in Arkansas and Texas, and was appointed to the Arkansas Supreme Court's Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Board in 2018.

Danilo A. Borgas

Warwick, RI

Danilo A. Borgas is a Shareholder at Sinapi Law Associates, Ltd and has been part of our team since 2013. He is a multi-lingual employment law and complex litigation attorney. Danilo’s practice is focused on representing employees in single and multi-plaintiff wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, medical leave, and wage and hour litigation and in negotiating executive compensation agreements, counseling/litigation regarding restrictive covenants, and reviewing/negotiating severance agreements. Danilo has substantial experience litigating single-party, multi-party, and collective actions before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. He also practices in the areas of public accommodations and civil rights. With a background in regulatory compliance, alternative dispute resolution, and computer technology, Danilo prides himself in offering creative and thorough solutions to his clients in a practical and cost-effective manner. Prior to rejoining Sinapi Law Associates, Ltd. as a Shareholder in 2019, Danilo practiced law at Peabody & Arnold LLP, one of Boston’s oldest and leading law firms, where he focused on providing advice/counsel, risk assessment, and litigation defense. Danilo is a graduate from Johnson and Wales University. He received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Roger Williams University School of Law where he earned multiple awards for achieving the highest grades in litigation and public interest law classes. Prior to attending law school, Danilo worked in the banking industry for approximately seven years in dispute resolution, quality analysis, and compliance. Danilo is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. He is licensed to practice law in state and federal courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Joy Barrientes

San Antonio, TX

Joy Barrientes is a native of the Rio Grande Valley. While pursuing her undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University of Kingsville, she worked in the insurance industry for several years servicing county employees, small and large businesses, and individual policy owners. It was during this time that she developed an interest in advocacy and was encouraged to attend law school. As a full-time student at St. Mary’s University School of Law, Joy clerked at Janicek Law and contributed to The Scholar, St. Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice as a staff writer and associate editor. After being admitted to the Texas State Bar in 2020, Joy joined a local criminal defense and gained invaluable experience. She returned to Janicek Law (having been a law clerk at JLF) with a desire to litigate medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, and wrongful death cases. Joy has been named one of San Antonio’s Outstanding Women in Law and is dedicated to advocating for the rights of those most vulnerable in our society: the elderly, our youth, and the injured.

Bruce Leach

Flint, MI

Bruce Leach is a skilled and knowledgeable attorney in Flint, Michigan, specializing in criminal defense, DUI defense, medical marijuana law, and business consultation. He is passionate about the changing legal landscape, particularly for marijuana-related cases, and has a strong record of achieving successful outcomes for his clients, including victories in civil forfeiture cases. Bruce is recognized by clients and community leaders for his dedication and is regularly named one of Michigan's top lawyers.

Joshua P. Pang (“JP”)

San Diego, CA

Josh (or “JP”) is a trial attorney at Gruenberg Law. He exclusively represents employees who are victims of unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation. Most recently, Josh obtained a $21.9 million jury verdict in a labor trafficking case against a corporate employer. It was the fourth largest Labor & Employment jury verdict in California in 2024. Josh also secured a $1.8 million jury verdict in a gender discrimination and retaliation case in 2023. Although this was a “zero offer” case prior to trial, the corporate defendant was ultimately responsible for paying a total of $4.2 million. Josh obtained a $1.1 million jury verdict for a janitor who suffered disability discrimination by her employer, a large national company. It was the second largest civil rights jury verdict in San Diego County in 2019. Josh also handles appeals, recently securing appellate victory against a Fortune 500 company.

John Spitale

Feasterville, PA

John Anthony Spitale is a dedicated and seasoned personal injury attorney with over 15 years of experience fighting for the rights of the injured. A proud member of the Pennsylvania Bar, John has dedicated his career to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable for the harm they cause. John’s passion for his work is rooted in a deep-seated commitment to justice for his clients. He understands the profound impact an injury can have on a person’s life, and he is driven to help them secure the compensation they need to rebuild. This commitment has led him to successfully handle thousands of cases, from arbitration to major jury trials, consistently advocating for his clients with tenacity and skill. A graduate of Penn State Dickinson School of Law, John combines his comprehensive legal knowledge with a down-to-earth approach. He believes in clear communication and is dedicated to guiding his clients through every step of the legal process. When he’s not in the courtroom, John enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and his dog. He can often be found outdoors, whether he’s enjoying a walk or firing up the grill.