English-Speaking Attorneys

Christine Chao

Fremont, CA

Christine Chao is the senior paralegal and case manager of The Law Offices of Derek Lim. Ms. Chao joined the firm in 2008. With decades of experience under her belt, Ms. Chao is passionate about giving back to her community by helping clients to obtain successful immigration outcomes and secure fair personal injury settlements. Under attorney Derek Lim’s supervision, Ms. Chao has handled various immigration matters including L1, E1/E2, PERM, family-based petitions, and other nonimmigrant visas. Ms. Chao has extensive experience adding the attorney on complex immigration matters, such as Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) claims, I-601 waivers, and appeals to BIA and the Ninth Circuit. Although not the entirety of her legal experience, Ms. Chao provides invaluable assistance with the firm’s large personal injury cases, making hospital and home visits as needed, and helping injured victims and their family members through difficult times. Ms. Chao is also involved with the overall management of the firm and participates in the training of the legal team on the firm’s practices and procedures.

Jose Smith

Miami, FL

Mr. Smith graduated, with honors, from the University of Florida. After gaining considerable litigation experience, he founded his own firm in 1983. He was Board Certified from 1992-1997. After serving on the Miami Beach City Commission for 8 years, he was appointed City Attorney, serving until 2014. He then served as City Attorney in North Miami Beach until 2018. For over 30 years, Mr. Smith has also been involved in all aspects of local government law. He has developed a unique, well rounded expertise in identifying complex legal problems and finding practical solutions. He currently serves as a Special Magistrate for the City of North Miami. Mr. Smith has also lectured students on mediation techniques.

Thomas W. Costello

Brattleboro, VT

Tom has practiced law in Vermont for over thirty-five years, representing clients in a wide variety of civil, criminal and family litigation. He brings a vast amount of experience and knowledge to every case. In addition to his legal work, Tom is active in the community and has served on the boards of the American Legion, Brattleboro Area Habitat for Humanity and the Morningside Emergency Shelter. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served in the Vietnam conflict, earning a bronze star and a purple heart. Tom enjoys spending time with his two children and grandchild, following the RedSox, and reading.

Patricia Cleary

Bowie, MD

Patricia Cleary joined Byrd & Byrd in 2017 as Of Counsel, bringing over twenty years of experience in civil litigation. She is a member of the Maryland State Bar and the District of Columbia Bar, and is admitted to practice before the US District Court for the District of Maryland. Patty earned her J.D. cum laude from the University of Baltimore and a B.S. in Management Studies from the University of Maryland-University College. Her practice areas include personal injury, family law, complex civil litigation, business, and real estate matters.

Barbara Manes has been associated with the Sanders Law Firm since 1979. She specializes in all aspects of personal injury, matrimonial, real estate and family law. Ms. Manes is a graduate of the State University of New York at Binghamton and Brooklyn Law School. She is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association and New York State Trial Lawyers Association. Ms. Manes has excelled in cases involving the negligence of building owners for defective maintenance or inadequate security. Ms. Manes represented an elderly plaintiff who was injured when she walked through a tunnel separating two parking areas in a shopping center, tripped and fell on a speed bump. Through expert testimony from a professional engineer, she was able to demonstrate that a design defect caused the accident. Ms. Manes represented several young boys who were sexually abused by a security guard at their apartment building over a period of months. Ms. Manes ascertained that the guard had a criminal conviction and had been incarcerated for sodomy in his home state previously. Ms. Manes was able to show that the security guard company did not contact the guard’s references which would have raised a red flag about his fitness to be hired. Ms. Manes continues to represent the firm’s clients in premises liability, inadequate security and general negligence matters.

Leigh A. Raffauf

Wall Township, NJ

Leigh Raffauf graduated from University of Connecticut with a BS in Political Science in 1996 and received her law degree from Widener University in 1999. She clerked in Pennsylvania prior to representing insurance companies in personal injury matters and defending insurance companies in No-Fault PIP arbitrations. She later decided to represent Plaintiffs in personal injury matters and medical providers in New Jersey No-Fault PIP arbitrations. Over the past sixteen years she has specialized in PIP litigation, focusing on obtaining maximum recovery for her clients. She is a member of the Middlesex County Bar Association and NJAJ.

Annie C. Lu joined Easton & Easton in 2024 after spending more than 20 years in the legal arena helping injury victims in numerous capacities. Prior to her work in the private sector as a litigator, Annie worked with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence at non-profit organizations, including the Family Violence Law Center. After that, she became an experienced litigator who tackled complicated cases in both state and federal courts, obtaining millions of dollars in recovery for her clients over the years. Annie’s passion lies in helping clients through some of the most difficult times in their lives, which she does by being able to understand her client’s needs and then advising them on various options and risks so that clients can make decisions that are best for themselves and their families. Additionally, Annie has significant experience representing clients who have suffered a personal injury, and she draws on that experience to make an impact in every case that she takes on. When representing a client, Annie’s primary focus is ensuring her clients are made whole, healthy, and that justice is obtained for them. In 2008, Annie received two Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of California, Irvine, where she double majored in Criminology Law & Society and Political Science with an emphasis on law and jurisprudence and maintained her standing on the Dean’s Honors List during her tenure in college. Annie was a proud member of Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, and a proud member of the honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha, which recognized high academic achievements. In 2012, Annie earned her law degree from the UC College of the Law San Francisco (formerly known as UC Hastings College of the Law). During law school, Annie earned a CALI award (highest score in her class) for Community Economic Development and continued her academic achievements by continuing as a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, as a contributing member of Phi Alpha Delta, one of the largest professional law fraternities in the United States and served as the technology editor for the competition committee in the Hastings Communication & Entertainment Law Journal. Fluent in Mandarin, Spanish, and English, Annie advocates for her clients and uses the vast experience and knowledge she has gained from her background to obtain results for each and every one of her clients.

Max J. Koeck IV

Metairie, LA

Max J. Koeck IV is an attorney with over a decade of experience in Louisiana, focusing on criminal defense (including DWI) and personal injury. He is known for providing zealous and compassionate advocacy, helping clients navigate legal challenges and regain control of their situations. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

Mother, wife, family law attorney, business owner, woman rights advocate and philanthropist are one of the few hats that Rania Arwani wears on a daily basis. After gaining her B.B.A. in Finance from Texas, she planned to be a stock market analyst, and after working in that field for a short period of time, she felt that something was missing and that’s not where her passion was. Shortly thereafter she relocated to Florida and attended Barry University School of Law, where her commitment to family law took root. Rania acted as a Research Assistant at Barry University School of Law and a Certified Legal Intern for the Children and Families Clinic. She trained with the Florida Center for Child Welfare to handle a variety of family law matters, including domestic violence, substance abuse and sexual abuse of children. Prior to co-founding Arwani Law Firm Rania was a Certified Legal Intern with the State Attorney’s Office in the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orange County where she gained valuable courtroom experience. As the manager of the family law division at the Arwani Law Firm Rania is dedicated to protecting the rights of parents and children.

Matthew Triet Vo

San Jose, CA

Attorney Matthew Triet Vo is a caring and confident attorney. He provides a wide range of legal services, specifically in Estate Planning, Family Law, Immigration Law, and Personal Injury. Matthew considers himself to be “the people’s lawyer” and is passionate about being an advocate for his clients when defending their rights.

Steve Renick

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Stephen (Steve) Renick has been practicing law since 1987, focusing on workers' compensation. He is dedicated to protecting workers' rights and has handled various work-related injury cases for over 30 years. Steve is also an adjunct professor and a former high school Mock Trial Attorney Coach, with a strong reputation among legal professionals in Florida.

Rod spent the first 10 years of his law career with Scherr Legate before leaving to build his own successful practice for 14 years. Now, he’s back where he started but with much more experience, having practiced criminal and family law in addition to personal liability. Since returning to Scherr Legate, Rod has worked primarily on motor vehicle and premises liability cases. With his return to personal injury cases, Rod knows the plaintiffs he represents are unfamiliar with courtrooms and the legal process. Rod recognizes that so many clients have never been through this with insurance companies and takes pride in knowing that he can help guide his clients and solve problems for them. Rod who was born and raised in El Paso, followed his father and uncle into law. He earned his bachelor and law degree at the same school they did. When away from the firm, Rod spends time with his wife and three sons. He likes to be outdoors, whether it’s hiking, biking, running or snow skiing. All three of his sons are active in the Boys Scouts of America, where Rod is a former Scout Master. He is the current Adult Committee Chair for his sons’ Troop 59.

Payam Y. Poursalimi is the lead attorney and founder of the firm, with over 23 years of experience in personal injury and wrongful death cases. He graduated from the University of West Los Angeles, School of Law in 1997 and was admitted to the California bar. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers.

Jedidiah Bressman is a community safety lawyer at Bressman Law, known for his warrior mentality and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of corporate negligence and safety rule violations. He has secured multiple seven-figure results, including $6.75 million for an industrial amputation case and $1.75 million for a catastrophic three-vehicle collision. He graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and Indiana Institute of Technology.

Jennifer Meksraitis

Tampa, FL

Jennifer Meksraitis is a native Floridian and the principal attorney at Heights Injury Law. She comes from a family of attorneys and was taught the importance of her Cuban heritage, including speaking Spanish. She holds a bachelor's degree in Finance and Economics from the University of North Carolina-Asheville and a Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law (2006). Prior to founding Heights Injury Law in 2012, she served as an Assistant Public Defender for three years, gaining extensive trial experience. Jennifer is known for her empathetic advocacy, strategic approach, and personal involvement in every case, fighting tirelessly for her clients in personal injury and criminal defense matters.

Langdon Ryan Worley

Lexington, KY

Langdon Ryan Worley grew up in Kentucky, learning the value of hard work from her parents. She excelled in mock trial competitions in law school and has since represented individuals and corporations in a wide variety of lawsuits across Kentucky. She is actively involved in community leadership and non-profit organizations.

Kevin G. Little

Fresno, CA

Kevin G. Little stands as one of the rare attorneys to achieve the legal trifecta - multiple murder acquittals, multiple death row exonerations, and multiple million-dollar-plus verdicts. For more than 35 years, he has been a formidable force for justice, transforming his education into a powerful weapon for those facing injustice. With exceptional victories across both civil and criminal law, Mr. Little delivers unparalleled representation through his Triple Threat approach of masterful trial skills, formidable appellate expertise, and sophisticated legal analysis.

Scott T. Banks

Norman, OK

Scott T. Banks is a Civil Litigation attorney with over a decade of experience in family law, including divorce, child custody, child support, and guardianships. He has successfully handled complex family law matters and negotiated numerous agreements. Additionally, he has experience in probate, contract disputes, tax disputes, condemnation actions, and personal injury, including negotiating 7-figure settlements.

Joseph J. Carcagno

Staten Island, NY

Joseph J. Carcagno, originally from Brooklyn, New York, graduated in 1983 from Pace University, Lubin School of Business with a BBA in Finance and became a commodities trader on the floor of the New York Mercantile Exchange. He later attended Pace University School of Law and obtained his Juris Doctorate degree in 1988. Mr. Carcagno began his legal career working in plaintiff’s personal injury and criminal defense. During his tenure as a plaintiff’s attorney, he handled automobile, premises, construction accidents, police brutality, and wrongful death cases, and tried many cases to verdict. Then, Mr. Carcagno was recruited by GMAC Insurance, a division of General Motors, to open its first ever in-house counsel office which began operation in New York City where he became the managing attorney and counsel of record. He eventually grew the office to twenty employees in two staff counsel office locations during his tenure where he handled high exposure, high complexity cases. Mr. Carcagno has selected countless juries in every county in the New York City Metro area and tried over twenty-five cases to verdict. He has written and argued numerous appeals as well. In addition, Mr. Carcagno worked as an attorney at the New York City Department of Education Special Education Unit. Mr. Carcagno is admitted to practice in New York State and Connecticut, as well as the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Carcagno is also active in community service as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bronx Global Learning Institute for Girls Charter School located in Bronx, New York.

Mark Wolin

Miami, FL

Mark Wolin is a trial attorney with over 35 years of experience in South Florida state and federal courts. He holds a Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law and Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Northwestern University. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and in Florida and Illinois. Mark is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Aaron McHenry

Chillicothe, OH

Attorney Aaron McHenry is a Partner at Warren Law Firm, focusing exclusively on personal injury law, including car and truck crashes. He grew up in Portsmouth, moved to Chillicothe in 2004, and is a proud alumnus of Ohio University (bachelor's in history) and the University of Akron School of Law (graduated with honors). Prior to joining Warren Law Firm, he served as an assistant law director, public defender, prosecutor, law clerk, and court administrator/magistrate. He is actively involved in the local community, coaching his daughters and serving on the Paint Valley ADAMH Board.

Tom G. Antunovich

Los Angeles, CA

Tom G. Antunovich is an accomplished personal injury trial attorney at The Dominguez Firm, focusing on car accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, and products liability cases. He is known for his aggressive advocacy and empathetic approach to client relationships.

Huong T. Lam is an attorney born in Saigon, Vietnam, who immigrated to the United States at age 6. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in English from Clemson University and a law degree from George Mason University School of Law. She is dedicated to empowering those who have been victimized or suffered misfortune, helping clients with personal injury, workers' compensation, and bankruptcy cases.

Lisa Ritter

Lakewood, CO

Lisa Ritter has been advocating for the injured since 2004, bringing empathy, honesty, and persistence to every case. Licensed in Colorado, Texas, Missouri, and Kansas, her multi-state experience has shaped her into a well-rounded and compassionate personal injury attorney. She offers clear, truthful guidance while helping clients heal-physically, emotionally, and financially, supporting them through recovery to move forward with confidence and closure.