English-Speaking Attorneys

Liisa A. Hancock

Provo, UT

Having clerked for two years with the Fourth District Court, Liisa approaches cases with an innovative and thoughtful perspective. Primarily a litigator, she represents clients in domestic cases including child custody, divorce, property settlements, adjudicative, probate and real property litigation, and appellate proceedings at municipal, state and federal levels.

Rick Krause

Richardson, TX

Rick Krause is a senior attorney at Modjarrad Abusaad Said Law Firm (MAS Law). He is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court - Northern District of Texas, U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Texas, and U.S. District Court - Southern District of Texas. He practices primarily in the area of Social Security Disability. Mr. Krause attended Texas Tech University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He obtained a Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law. Mr. Krause has more than 31 years of experience, and his practice is limited to helping his clients apply and receive Social Security and Disability benefits.

Trevor Rose is a senior litigation associate at Greenblatt & Veliev, specializing in personal injury, automobile accidents, workers’ compensation, premises liability, and dog bites. He is a talented courtroom advocate with 21 years of experience, and a graduate of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s Trial Skills Program.

Mariella Diaz

Nampa, ID

Mariella Diaz is the humanitarian-based immigration lead attorney at Ramirez Smith Law, specializing in humanitarian-based immigration, family-based immigration, and removal defense. She has represented families before EOIR, BIA, and the Ninth Circuit of Appeals, and USCIS. Fluent in Spanish, she is deeply committed to community service and actively volunteers with legal and local initiatives.

Ricardo N. Gonzalez

Houston, TX

Ricardo N. Gonzalez is a founding attorney with over 40 years of experience, specializing in criminal defense. A former teacher, he is known for his ability to explain complex legal matters clearly. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, the Harris County Criminal Lawyer’s Association, and the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston, and is deeply connected to the Houston community. He is licensed in Texas and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Amit Sondhi helps people recover from injuries sustained in motor vehicle, construction, premises, and workplace accidents. He has obtained several awards and verdicts, including one of the top 35 automobile accident verdicts in 2017 (Westchester County). He earned his J.D. degree from Touro Law School with special honors. He is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey and is a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and the South Asian Bar Association.

Juan Pecina is a founding partner of Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, where he leads with dedication, integrity, and an unrelenting pursuit of justice. A proud native of the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, Juan brings deep local roots, strong values, and an exceptional work ethic to every case he takes on. A seasoned Texas trial attorney, Juan has a proven track record in high-stakes litigation. He has recovered over a million dollars for clients in cases involving car and trucking accidents, slip and falls, and other serious personal injury matters. Known for his sharp litigation skills and extensive courtroom experience, Juan is a formidable advocate against insurance companies and large corporate defendants. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Juan is committed to serving a diverse community. He ensures every client feels heard, understood, and powerfully represented-whether at the negotiation table or before a jury. Juan earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and went on to complete law school in an accelerated two-year program at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. While in law school, he excelled academically, earning Certificates of Merit in Products Liability and Federal Administrative Law. From the outset of his legal career, Juan demonstrated bold initiative by opening his own practice. Before becoming an attorney, he gained invaluable hands-on experience as a legal assistant and paralegal, giving him a strong foundation in the legal system. Over the course of his career, he has worked on thousands of cases personally as an attorney. His broad legal background spans in Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Federal Immigration, and Insurance Law, giving him a comprehensive understanding of multiple practice areas. Becoming a lawyer was Juan’s lifelong dream-and today, that dream fuels his unwavering co.

Louis L. D’Arminio graduated Harvard College with Honors and earned his law degree at Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and Managing Editor of the Journal of Law and Social Problems. Following law school, Mr. D’Arminio served a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Alan B. Handler, Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. He has served as Redevelopment and Planning Board Attorney for the City of Hackensack, and has been involved in several substantial private mixed use redevelopment projects, which included residential, office, retail, hotel and recreational components. Mr. D’Arminio has appeared before planning and zoning boards in more than 130 New Jersey and New York municipalities representing a variety of clients including outdoor advertising, service station, restaurant, telecommunications, banking and affordable housing interests. He has also represented major retail, corporate and real estate clients in the leasing of space in numerous shopping centers and office complexes. Mr. D’Arminio is a member of the American, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Bergen County Bar Associations. Mr. D’Arminio was recently appointed Commissioner to the Bergen County Improvement Authority and is a member of the NJSBA Renewable Energy, Cleantech and Climate Change Committee. He served on the Affordable Housing Section of the ABA and the Land Use Law Sections of the New Jersey and Bergen County Bar Associations. He was a former managing editor of The Bergen Barrister, the official periodical of the Bergen Bar Association and a former member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Attorney Ethics Committee for District II-A (Northern Bergen County). Mr. D’Arminio has been active with various not-for-profit organizations, including the Bergen County Bar Foundation for which he is the immediate past President, the Bergen Community College Foundation, the Hackensack Blue and Gold Scholarship Fund, Bergen County Community Action Partnership, Inc. and Bergen County Community Housing in Partnership, Inc. Mr. D’Arminio is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and before the Federal District Court of the District of New Jersey, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Stacy M. Emas

Miami, FL

Stacy Mateu Emas is a Cuban American attorney with close ties to South Florida. Born and raised in Miami, she prides herself on being able to represent her community in their time of need. Stacy graduated with honors from Florida International University before graduating Cum Laude from the University of Miami School of Law. After law school, Stacy spent several years working as a litigator for the largest and premier defense law firm in Florida. She used that time to sharpen her litigation skills and to gain a comprehensive understanding as to how large corporations analyze and value cases. Stacy also spent years working at a nationally recognized insurance coverage firm. As a result, she has extensive knowledge of how to defend against an insurance company’s claims that there is no insurance coverage. Stacy brought these skills and knowledge with her to Amanda Demanda where she has dedicated her career to helping those who have been injured due to the negligence of others. Stacy is passionate about helping people of all walks of life who have been wrongfully harmed by others. Her practice focuses on personal injury litigation involving motor vehicle accidents, trucking collisions, slip/trip and falls, construction accidents, premises liability injuries, wrongful death, catastrophic injury, medical malpractice, and complex products liability. In her free time, Stacy enjoys spending time with her family and true crime podcasts.

John P. Bays

Mattoon, IL

John P. Bays is an attorney at Heller, Holmes & Associates, P.C. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master's degree in History from Eastern Illinois University. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada Las Vegas in May 2021, graduating first in his class. He was admitted to the Bar of the State of Illinois on November 10, 2021. His practice areas include workers’ compensation, criminal defense, family law, personal injury, and general litigation. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Coles-Cumberland Bar Association, and the Mattoon Kiwanis Club.

Lorgia Carbonaro

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Lorgia Carbonaro has worked in the personal injury field since 1986, pursuing her passion for helping people. She is bilingual and joined Chalik & Chalik in 2011.

Scott Ufford

Wichita, KS

Scott Ufford is a Kansas native specializing in personal injury and Social Security law, licensed in Kansas and Missouri. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2016, where he was a member of the Student Bar Association. He holds a Bachelor's in Secondary Education with an English emphasis from Wichita State University, where he was also a track and cross country athlete. Scott remains involved with these programs and enjoys running, singing, playing harmonica, and supporting the arts. He is dedicated to helping people in Wichita and the broader Kansas community.

Mikell West

Corpus Christi, TX

Mikell is a skilled and experienced trial and appellate practitioner, having represented clients all across the state of Texas before trial courts, various courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court of Texas. Mikell graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law, where he clerked for Judge Barbara Nellermoe at the 45th District Court in Bexar County and for Judge Emilio Garza at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Before joining the Bandas Law Firm, Mikell was a partner for many years at a highly respected defense firms in South Texas, where he learned the ins and outs of litigation and honed his skills as a fierce advocate for his clients. Mikell uses this experience and drive to help plaintiffs who have been injured or mistreated by corporations or individuals seek justice.

R. Lee Page Jr.

Clearwater, FL

R. Lee Page Jr., known as the “Florida Man Lawyer,” is a Managing Partner at Battle Law, PLLC, specializing in personal injury cases. He leverages his background representing insurance companies and his experience as an Assistant Attorney General to advocate for individuals. He is barred in Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Colorado, and is known for his nuanced understanding of regional laws and his commitment to maximizing client compensation. He has a track record of achieving jury verdicts beyond insurance policy limits.

Tracy Stanker

Lisle, IL

Tracy Stanker is an experienced trial attorney with over 20 years of litigation experience. She joined Ekl, Williams & Provenzale in 2009 and is currently a partner. Her practice focuses on civil litigation, representing individuals and municipalities in federal civil rights, personal injury, trade secrets, and contract disputes. She is also an experienced appellate attorney, having argued cases before the Seventh Circuit and the Second District of Illinois. Prior to joining the firm, Tracy served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County for seven years, trying hundreds of felony and misdemeanor cases. She obtained her law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law with high honors, where she was a member of the trial advocacy team and law review.

William C. Steppacher Jr.

Scranton, PA

William C. Steppacher Jr. primarily focuses on Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases, having handled thousands and recovered millions in backpay for clients. He also handles serious personal injury cases.

Clifton Black

Colorado Springs, CO

Managing Attorney Clifton Black has been practicing law since 2000 and is a founding partner of Black, Blink, & Associates LLC. He is a lifelong resident of Colorado Springs. He practices in both Criminal Defense and Business law, handling thousands of cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. He also advises clients on business formation, corporate governance, contracts, and licensing, particularly in highly regulated industries. He has been appointed to city task forces and is sought for his opinion on emerging industries.

James F. Spiering is an attorney with over 40 years of experience practicing on the Central Coast. He specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases, and has a proven track record of success. He works directly with clients to help them recover for their injuries.

Alexander J. Blume is a VA Accredited attorney at The Downs Law Group. He was recognized as a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch attorney in the 2026 Edition and by National Trial Lawyers as a ‘Top 40 Attorney Under 40’ in Florida. He graduated from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University with a Juris Doctor in May 2021, concentrating in Environmental Law and Land Use. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Emory University in May 2017. He has diverse legal experience, including working as a law clerk for Cole, Scott, & Kissane P.A. and as a legal extern for the Pace Land Use Law Center.

Samantha Ward

Tampa, FL

Samantha Ward is a Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Trial Law, bringing over 35 years of experience. A retired Florida Circuit Court Judge, she presided over 400 jury trials and thousands of hearings during her 16 years on the bench. Before her judgeship, she spent nearly 15 years as a public defender, serving as the Major Crimes Bureau Chief, and almost 4 years as a prosecutor. Samantha is highly experienced in murder and death penalty cases and has trained other judges across the state. She graduated from the University of Florida in 1987 and Florida State University College of Law in 1990.

John H. Rompf

Winchester, KY

Born in 1950 in Lexington, Kentucky, John H. Rompf attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated from the University of Kentucky, College of Law in 1975. He joined White, McCann & Stewart in 1974 as a Law Clerk, became an Associate Attorney in 1975, and a Partner in 1978. He has served on the board of the Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce for nearly 30 years and was a member of the Winchester Lions Club from 1976 to 2008.

Spencer D. West

Miami, FL

Spencer D. West is a founding attorney and equity partner at Mitchell & West, LLC, specializing in family law. He is an aggressive litigator dedicated to achieving the best results for his clients in cases such as divorce, military divorce, custody, child support, relocation, modification, paternity, and domestic violence disputes. He has tried countless cases to conclusion and has been awarded the designation of Super Lawyers. He is licensed to practice in Florida and Massachusetts, including Florida Federal Courts and the United States Supreme Court. Before law school, he served three years in the U.S. Army as a Finance Specialist.

Gilbert J. Rooth

Seminole, FL

Gilbert J. Rooth began his legal career in 1974 after graduating from Stetson University College of Law. He has served the Seminole community for over 40 years, providing legal services and counseling in estate planning, wills, trusts, power of attorney, healthcare surrogates, and trust administration. He graduated from Canisius College in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Ruby Villalobos Adams

Sheffield, AL

Ruby Villalobos Adams is an Attorney and member of the Alabama State Bar. She began practicing law in 2020 as a solo-practitioner until she and her partner, Ivannoel G. Dollar founded La Raza Legal, LLP in 2023. La Raza Legal was formed to serve the Minority Communities with their unique legal issues with specialized skill sets as it is a fully Spanish and English bilingual staff. Ruby is a graduate of The University of North Alabama with a BA in Foreign Languages and Political Science and a minor in Legal Studies. During college, she served as Vice President of her Sorority and Captain of the Mock Trial Team. Ruby was inducted into the University of North Alabama’s Hall of Fame for her contributions while on campus. After completing her undergraduate education, she attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law where she was President of the Hispanic Interest Law Student Association. Upon graduation in 2020, Ruby began working as a solo-practitioner in her hometown of Florence, AL specifically serving the Minority populations. Ruby’s goal is to fill the space in lack of representation of Hispanic and Spanish speaking clients in her local and the community. Ruby is able to provide a specialized representation because she is fluent in Spanish and English. Ruby’s areas of practice are Personal Injury including Workplace Accidents, Car Accidents, Slip and Falls, Premises Liability and Affirmative Immigration including but not limited to Family Based Petitions, Citizenship and Naturalization, Work Permits, Juvenile Immigration, Immigration Waivers, Adjustment of Status and U-Visas. Ruby is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Her and her husband, Irving Adams, are high school sweethearts and longtime Shoals natives. Ruby and Irving have two sons and a daughter, Jonah, Rome, and Myla.