English-Speaking Attorneys

Mengting Xu

Daly City, CA

Mengting was born and grew up in China. She earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2022. Prior to that, she received her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree in China and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at the University of Hong Kong. During law school, Mengting developed a passion for public interest work through her pro bono involvement in the Berkeley Law Afghanistan Project, where she worked to help Afghan nationals with their Humanitarian Parole applications during the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. She earned Pro Bono Honors from Berkeley Law. After graduation, Mengting worked as a Legal Service Funders Network (LSFN) public interest fellow at the LGBT Asylum Project, where she provided legal representation for LGBT asylum seekers who are fleeing persecution due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. Prior to joining the firm, Mengting had six years of legal and regulatory experience in Hong Kong (2015 to 2021). In her spare time, she likes watching movies, playing badminton and hiking. She is fluent in Mandarin and English.

S. Denise Watts

Shallotte, NC

S. Denise Watts is an attorney who focuses her practice on serving the estate planning, estate administration, probate, and homeowners/property owners' association issues for the citizens and residents of North Carolina and South Carolina. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2002, where she was managing editor of the North Carolina Central University Law Review. After successfully completing the North Carolina bar exam, Mrs. Watts joined a general practice firm in Wake County, North Carolina where she practiced law in five counties. In 2006, Mrs. Watts was sworn in as a member of the United States Supreme Court Bar and moved to Brunswick County, North Carolina to practice law, where she continues today as the Managing Partner of Watts Law Group PLLC. In 2013, after successfully completing the South Carolina bar exam, Mrs. Watts and the firm opened a law office in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. At Watts Law Group PLLC, Mrs. Watts counsels individuals on their estate planning issues and provides representation to homeowners/property owners' associations. She is an active member of several professional organizations. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Meredith College in 1999, magna cum laude, and has worked in a law firm since she was sixteen. Mrs. Watts treats every client with respect and integrity, and each client's case is treated with exceptional care and attention. She is a happy person, full of energy, and very aggressive, open, easy to talk to and is very attentive to her clients.

Sheeba Ajwani was born and raised in Mumbai, India, where she completed her law degree (L.L.B) in 2005 and worked as an attorney. She moved to the United States in 2015 and completed her Masters in Law from the University of Miami School of Law in 2016. She is a dual licensed attorney in NY, Texas, Florida, and India. Sheeba was recognized as a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch attorney in the 2026 Edition and has several years of international corporate law and litigation experience. At The Downs Law Group, she is part of the litigation team for the BP Oil Spill cases.

Brett Miller

Atlanta, GA

Before representing victims of injury, Attorney Brett Miller spent the first 10 years of his career defending insurance companies. This experience gives him an understanding of how these companies operate and the strategies they use to downplay liability, which he now uses to fight for his clients. He prepares every case for trial, even if it resolves through settlement. Brett views his role as a counselor, providing straightforward advice on both positive and negative aspects of cases to help clients make informed decisions. He emphasizes patience, focusing on client recovery while he handles the legal work. Brett, born and raised in Atlanta, resides there with his wife and daughter, enjoying golf, endurance sports, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs.

Gary D. Monaghan

Uniontown, PA

Attorney Gary Monaghan has been practicing law in southwestern Pennsylvania since 1981. He is a founding partner of Monaghan & Monaghan, L.L.P., concentrating his practice in Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability. He is certified as a specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association and has been honored as a Top-rated Workers’ Compensation Attorney Superlawyer since 2013.

Rafat Abdeljaber is the founding attorney at RAJ Law, specializing in personal injury, vehicle collision, premises liability, wrongful death, and insurance bad faith cases. He graduated from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2019, where he earned the distinction of Trial Advocacy Fellow. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Arizona State University. Rafat's passion for victims' rights stems from his personal experience with a serious car accident in 2003.

Ryan Fowler

El Segundo, CA

Ryan Fowler has over 19 years of experience practicing law in the greater Los Angeles area, successfully litigating cases for both plaintiffs and defendants. He has a passion for justice and focuses on helping those who have been wronged achieve fair results. He was named a 'Southern California Rising Star' by Super Lawyers from 2012-2016.

Timothy D. Belt

Pittston, PA

Attorney Timothy D. Belt is the son of Reverend James and Patricia Belt, and he has resided primarily in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area since 1985. Timothy graduated from Lackawanna Trail High School and is a 1996 summa cum laude graduate of the University of the Ozarks. Timothy graduated from Villanova University School of Law in 1999 and shortly thereafter began practicing law in the Wilkes-Barre area. Timothy’s practice focuses on workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation. Timothy is a frequent speaker in regard to workers’ compensation issues to business and union organizations. Timothy is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association, and Wyoming/Sullivan County Bar Association. Timothy is also certified as a specialist in the practice of workers’ compensation law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Matthew A. Lopez

Corpus Christi, TX

Matthew A. Lopez is an attorney who earned his J.D. from Thurgood Marshall School of Law and passed the bar in July 2024. He focuses on Family Law, Civil Litigation, and Personal Injury.

Robert Harrison

Sarasota, FL

Robert Harrison is a fifth generation Floridian, born and raised in Sarasota. Mr. Harrison graduated from Riverview High School where he was a member of the World-renowned Kiltie Marching Band and then performed with the Gator Marching Band at the University of Florida. Mr. Harrison obtained both his law degree and a degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. Mr. Harrison began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in Tampa in 1986, where he gained extensive trial experience prosecuting serious felony cases including armed robbery, drug trafficking, and homicide. He joined the Venice law firm of Kanetsky, Moore and DeBoer in 1990. In 1996, he founded Robert N. Harrison, P.A., a private law practice focused on DUI defense and criminal litigation. His firm is known for its rigorous advocacy, strategic case handling, and commitment to protecting the rights of individuals across Sarasota County and beyond. Mr. Harrison joined the Law Place in 2025. Throughout his career, Mr. Harrison has been at the forefront of DUI defense in the State of Florida. He has been a frequent speaker at the Florida Bar’s Masters of DUI Seminar and at the Blood, Breath and Tears Seminar presented by the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Mr. Harrison is the former President of the Venice-Englewood Bar Association, President of the Sarasota County Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a member the organization’s Statewide Board of Directors. In 2014, Mr. Harrison received the DUI Gladiator Award presented by the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for his outstanding work and dedication to DUI defense. Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Harrison is deeply rooted in his community, actively participating in local civic groups such as the Sertoma Club of Venice and the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce.

Michael E. Gutmann

Piqua, OH

Michael E. Gutmann is a lifelong resident of Piqua, OH. He has a varied legal practice concentrating in small business and corporate law, real estate, estate and succession planning, probate and trust administration, and municipal law. He has served as Solicitor for the Village of Bradford for over twenty-five years and is active in community service.

Lars Bergstrom

Greenwood Village, CO

Lars Bergstrom is an accomplished trial attorney who has represented many clients as lead counsel in civil and criminal trials in state and federal courts in Colorado and Nebraska. He worked for many years and was a partner at one of Colorado's top insurance defense firms. He now uses his knowledge and experience working with insurance companies to help injury victims. Military service members and veterans occupy a special place in Mr. Bergstrom's heart. He spent 20 years on both active duty and in the reserves with the Army JAG Corps. He has represented hundreds of Service Members facing courts-martials and adverse administrative actions and has litigated military justice cases throughout the United States. He has lectured on many issues related to military justice. Lars enjoys hiking and skiing and spending time with his wife, two teenage boys, and his dog.

Peter T. Nguyen

Bronx, NY

Peter T. Nguyen developed an interest in bankruptcy law because he is passionate about helping people overcome their financial burdens both legally and emotionally. He wants clients to understand that bankruptcy is a fresh start and a new beginning in life, rather than the end of an unsuccessful business venture, a failed marriage, or a loss of employment. Being part of the process of getting clients’ lives back on track is his where he gets the greatest job satisfaction. Attorney Nguyen treats each and every case as if its outcome would impact him personally. His compassion and empathy for his clients give him the ability to offer unique, individually-tailored solutions to address the challenges they face. He works to be a calming and comforting presence when the bankruptcy process can be such a stressful one.

Olena Bedenko-Zvarydchuk

Seattle, WA

Olena Bedenko-Zvarydchuk is an Associate Attorney at HWS Law Group, based in the firm’s Seattle office. She brings a thoughtful, analytical, and globally informed approach to litigation and client advocacy. Olena supports clients across a wide range of civil litigation matters, with a focus on delivering practical, result-oriented legal solutions.

Sergio R. Cardenas

El Segundo, CA

Sergio believes he provided an honorable service securing impressive outcomes for injury victims. Sergio's genuine caring nature and his unwavering commitment to "making things right" in his clients' lives is why many of his clients love working with him. Mr. Cardenas began his career as an immigration paralegal while attending UCLA Extension. He secured his attorney license with the California State Bar and began his attorney career fighting for injury, lemon law, and immigration violation victims. He is a native speaker of Spanish and fluent in French and English. He has secured impressive outcomes for numerous injury and lemon law victims.

Francisco Llanos

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Francisco Llanos recently joined Demesmin & Dover. He attended Nova Southeastern University for his undergraduate degree, majoring in Legal Studies. Francisco dual enrolled while in undergrad and then graduated from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, graduating early. He did this while working full-time and having a family with four kids. Having dealt with both insurance carriers and doctors for the entirety of his legal career, Francisco has a vast knowledge of the tactics employed by the insurance companies, which he uses to obtain the optimum compensation for his clients. Above all, Francisco is passionate about helping people in need and ensuring that injured clients get the justice and the compensation they deserve. He is originally from Lima, Peru and has been in the United States since he was 8. On his time off he enjoys time with his family and four children.

Attorney Gino F. Peluso has been helping local people get what they deserve for more than thirty-nine years. He is licensed to practice law before the United States Supreme Court, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He is actively involved in various professional organizations and community groups.

MAX ALVAREZ

Las Vegas, NV

Max Alvarez is an associate attorney at Mills & Anderson in Las Vegas, Nevada. A first-generation Hispanic-American and fluent Spanish speaker, he focuses on family law, personal injury, immigration, and wills and trusts. He earned his Juris Doctor from Boyd School of Law in 2020 and was hired as an associate in 2023, after working as a law clerk with the firm since 2019. He prides himself on guiding Spanish-speaking litigants through the legal process in their own language.

Tracy was born in South Africa and graduated from high school early at the age of 16, to follow her dream of becoming a US citizen. She graduated two years later from CFNI with an Associate Degree in Theology, leading youth ministry and teaching Sunday School at her church. After obtaining her permanent residence card in 1989, she received a wonderful opportunity, through a dear friend in her church, to be trained as a paralegal at a large insurance defense law firm in Fort Worth, and began her legal career. Several years later she joined a law firm that exclusively handled personal injury cases. From 1994-2008, she led a team of paralegals, nursing consultants, legal assistants and file clerks, handling hundreds of toxic tort and product liability cases in several states. She attended countless seminars and immersed herself in each tort claim and assisted in the various mediations and trials. She has managed a wide variety of personal injury matters, including 18 wheeler accidents, medical malpractice lawsuits, and fatality cases, in both state and federal courts. In 2009, she moved to Abilene, Texas with her husband, who grew up in West Texas. Tracy began working for Greg Allen a few months later, and has been his paralegal ever since. Tracy and her husband have a young son, who keeps them busy. Together, they enjoy traveling the world and experiencing different cultures. The beach is Tracy’s happy place.

William Kibbe

Charlotte, NC

William Kibbe is an attorney passionate about helping personal injury clients. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and his Juris Doctor from Elon University School of Law in 2021. Admitted to practice in North Carolina in 2022, he is known for his tenacious advocacy.

Abdon Madrigal

Chicago, IL

Abdon Madrigal is a civil defense attorney who prides himself on top-tier service to his clients. He has tried more than a dozen cases throughout Northern Illinois, and he brings that experience to every area of law in which he practices. Mr. Madrigal has handled every aspect of litigation and always strives towards excellence. He received a full-ride scholarship at the Chicago-Kent College of Law and received the CALI Award for the highest grade in Advanced Torts. Mr. Madrigal is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Marcela Romero is an Associate Attorney at Michael T. Gibson P.A. She was born and raised in Colombia and earned her B.A. in Political Science from Florida International University and her Juris Doctorate from Barry University's Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in May 2020. Admitted to practice in Florida in September 2021, she focuses on representing injured individuals in auto accidents, slip/trip and falls, and other negligence-related cases.

LEVON VARDANYAN

Las Vegas, NV

Levon joined Nevada Legal Group in March of 2020. He has since been able to assist the firm in expanding their area of practice into immigration law while assisting with personal injury, property damage, business, small claims and criminal matters. Levon began his journey in the field of law when he immigrated to the United States in 2007 to further his education. He obtained his BA in Political Science from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY where he was able to attend with a full International Student scholarship. He then moved on to attend law school at the University of Dayton School of Law where he was able to obtain his Juris Doctorate in a two-year accelerated program again being recipient of multiple merit scholarships. Upon receipt of his JD, he decided to escape the cold and move to Los Angeles, CA where he worked in the foreclosure defense litigation area of law for three years. Regardless of his involvement in real estate and personal injury law, Levon never forgot his passion for immigration law. His interest in immigration law stems from being a “double immigrant” himself as he was born in Armenia and lived in Mexico since the age of five until moving to the United States. Even before attending law school, he has helped many people obtain their permanent residency, asylum and citizenship allowing them to legally live and work in this country. In early 2020, Levon and his wife Artemis decided to relocate to Las Vegas to further pursue their careers. They have since had a Vegas born son, Harutyun, and enjoy working and living in this great community. In his spare time, Levon enjoys traveling, spending time with his family and friends and being outdoors as much as possible.

Richard Gabriel Delgado

Jacksonville, FL

Richard Delgado was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Mr. Delgado completed his undergraduate degree and obtained a Bachelors of Arts in History and Political Science from Florida International University where he graduated Cum Laude. While in school, Mr. Delgado was an active member of the Pi Sigma Alpha and Sigma Iota Rho Honor Societies. Mr. Delgado attended law school at Florida International University's College of Law and obtained his Juris Doctorate. Mr. Delgado served as Vice-President of the International Law Society and as Treasurer of the Real Property Law Society. While in law school, Mr. Delgado was an active member of FIU Law's Experiential Learning Pro Bono Program. Before becoming an associate at St. Denis and Davey, Mr. Delgado practiced Maritime Law, as well as Personal Injury and First-Party Property. Mr. Delgado is fluent in English and Spanish and is currently a member of the Florida Bar.