English-Speaking Attorneys

Karla M. Campbell

Nashville, TN

Karla Campbell is an advocate for employee rights with extensive experience in civil litigation, appellate practice, labor, employment, and ERISA. She previously clerked for Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

Alex Mastellar

St. Cloud, MN

Alex is a Shareholder who practices in the areas of Agricultural Law, Construction Law, Environmental Law, and Litigation. Alex believes that every problem has a solution, and getting to the solution can be difficult, but satisfying. That optimism is how Alex approaches cases. Alex handles his clients’ problems as if they were his own. What is important to his clients is important to him.

Kale Van Bruggen

St. Cloud, MN

Kale is a Shareholder who practices in the areas of Agricultural Law, Environmental Law, and Government Law. Growing up on a farm, Kale has the unique advantage of understanding legal issues’ impacts on agriculture. Kale represents farmers, landowners, agribusiness, and local governments on administrative, litigation, and transactional matters pertaining especially to water, wetlands, and drainage. Kale’s election to the American Agricultural Law Association (AALA) Board of Directors and his past involvement as the President of the Minnesota Bar Association Agricultural Law Section further highlight his commitment to the industry.

Nicanor (Nick) Pesina, Jr.

Tyler, TX

Nick Pesina is a first-generation American, first-generation college student, and first-generation lawyer. He is a bilingual attorney serving clients throughout the East Texas area, specializing in personal injury law and family law. Licensed in 2012, he has served his clients for over a decade, demonstrating compassion for the community and a commitment to helping people achieve their goals.

John Martello

Yonkers, NY

John Martello is a licensed attorney in New York State with over ten years of experience in litigation. He holds a Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from James Madison University, where he majored in International Affairs and Spanish. His Spanish language proficiency allows him to communicate directly with Spanish-speaking clients.

Behnaz Ashtari

Newark, NJ

Behnaz Ashtari graduated from Benjamin Cardozo Law School in New York City where she received a Dean’s Merit Scholarship for her LL.M. Attorney Ashtari has been a lawyer since 2003. Before migrating to the United States, Behnaz earned an LL.M. (focusing on Criminal Law and Criminology) and an LL.B. at the Azad University Law School in Tehran, Iran. She practiced as a litigator in Iran for several years. In addition, Behnaz authored the award-winning book, _Trafficking in Women: Contemporary Slavery_. This was the first book on the subject published in the Persian language. She has written numerous articles dealing with women’s legal issues both in Persian and English. Behnaz draws upon her personal experience as an immigrant in order to serve and connect with our immigration clientele as an Immigration and Nationality Law Attorney at Maduabum Law Firm. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association as well as the Iran Central Bar Association.

Bethany Mito Lee

Lynnwood, WA

Bethany Mito Lee is a partner in Lee & Lee, PS. Prior to founding the firm with Nelson K.H. Lee in 2010, she practiced in Washington, D.C. with Crowell & Moring LLP as a counsel in the antitrust group. She has focused on litigation and counseling throughout her legal career, advising clients from a broad range of industries. Ms. Mito Lee has over a decade of immigration law experience specializing in family-based, employment-based, and investment-based visas. She has also served as pro bono counsel in asylum and trafficking cases.

Shirley K. Williams

Lincoln, NE

Shirley K. Williams is of counsel at the Knudsen Law Firm, focusing primarily on workers’ compensation. She served on the Executive Committee and as President of the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section. She holds the highest Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating of AV Preeminent.

Fernanda Kretzer

Lakeland, FL

Fernanda Kretzer is a paralegal with Russo Law, specializing in personal injury litigation. With over 10 years of experience, she joined the firm after several years as a personal injury litigation paralegal in Polk County, Florida, starting her career in 2007. She focuses on cases involving personal injury, automobile accidents, semi-truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, pharmacy errors, product liability, nursing home neglect, and slip and fall accidents. Fernanda is bilingual in English and Brazilian Portuguese, and she manages a revolving caseload of pre-suit demand and litigation files.

Joshua Gayl

Philadelphia, PA

Joshua Gayl is an attorney at MyPhillyLawyer, dedicated to helping clients achieve the best possible outcomes through empathy, responsiveness, and honesty. He graduated magna cum laude from Villanova Law School with an L.L.M. in Taxation and a certificate in Estate Planning. He began his legal career as a law clerk in the Philadelphia Orphans Court. He has significant experience in state and federal courts and is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey state courts, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. He is active in his community, serving on the Board of Directors for Beth Tikvah B’Nai Jeshurun Synagogue and the Colonial School District Education Foundation, and is a founding member of Theatre Horizon's Board of Directors. He also volunteers for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers.

Julius F. Wall

Clinton, MO

Julius F. Wall practiced law in Clinton, Missouri for 55 years, focusing on estate planning, probate, estate administration, real estate law, and elder law. He graduated from Central Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law with Order of the Coif honors. He served two years in the United States Army, including a year in Korea. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Clinton and a past President of Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Ducks Unlimited de Mexico, and a past board member of Ducks Unlimited Canada.

Grace Marilyn Casas-Rowe

Miami, FL

Grace Marilyn Casas-Rowe is an Of Counsel attorney at Mitchell & West, focusing her practice on Family Law. She is licensed in Florida and is a member in good standing with The Florida Bar. She graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Criminology, and earned her law degree from the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and proficient in French. Grace is an active member of the Miami Family Inns of Court and a Board Member and Secretary for the charity Kidside.

Jill M. Abrahamson

Omaha, NE

Attorney Jill M. Abrahamson joined the Abrahamson Law Firm in 2013. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and graduated in 2000 from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco. She is a member of the California, New York, and Nebraska State Bars. She has experience in state and federal court on criminal matters and civil litigation, and practiced as a court-appointed criminal defense attorney with the Legal Aid Society in Manhattan. Jill also volunteered in Nepal with organizations focusing on rights for poor and disadvantaged women and children, and is a champion for women’s rights and fundamental fairness. She practices family and juvenile law, and criminal defense, and is a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the District of Nebraska.

Joseph M. Mazraani, formed Mazraani & Liguori LLP in 2006 with Joseph C. Liguori. Mr. Mazraani concentrates his practice on criminal and municipal court defense. Mr. Mazraani has successfully represented clients charged with offenses ranging from murder, aggravated assault, and drug offenses to driving while intoxicated and other motor vehicle violations. He has handled cases in municipal courts across the State as well as Federal District Court. Mr. Mazraani has also appeared before the Family Court in domestic violence matters. In addition to handling criminal cases in the complaint and indictment stages, Mr. Mazraani has represented clients before the Parole Board and in appeals before the New Jersey Appellate Division. He has also advised numerous clients under investigation in which his clients avoided indictment or other proceedings.

Sergio Bello

Miami, FL

Sergio A. Bello is an attorney with more than 12 years of professional experience. He provides representation to individuals facing complex immigration proceedings, including deportation defense and ICE detentions. His extensive practice before the Supreme Court of Texas and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed him to litigate with precision, apply effective strategies, and achieve favorable results even in the most challenging cases. Graduated from Texas Southern University, his academic background has been the foundation of a career marked by ethics, responsibility, and a constant pursuit of justice. For more than a decade, he worked for the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), gaining insight into immigration procedures and federal policies that affect thousands of people each year. For Mr. Bello, the work of an attorney goes beyond providing legal services and extends to offering support to the community where he lives. Under this conviction, he collaborates with the Montgomery Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Indigent Defense Program of Montgomery County to represent low-income individuals accused of misdemeanors.

David Merabi

Los Angeles, CA

David F. Merabi, Esq. is one of the founding and managing attorneys of Culver Legal, LLP. Mr. Merabi is a highly experienced personal injury attorney. Mr. Merabi understands that the only way to protect the rights of his injured clients is to fight aggressively and zealously on their behalf from the beginning of their case ensuring none of his clients are ever left taken advantage of. In light of his experience and aggressive representation Mr. Merabi has successfully pursued claims and recovered millions of dollars for his clients in compensation. Mr. Merabi believes it is his duty to go after insurance companies and large corporations whose sole purpose is to minimize and disregard their wrongdoing. Coupled with his aggressive approach, Mr. Merabi’s intrinsic knowledge of all types of injuries ranging from minor to catastrophic has helped him make sure that each and every one of his client’s is always made whole. Mr. Merabi also has an extensive multi-faceted background in many areas of the law, prior to starting his own practice, Mr. Merabi began his career working for the Major Crimes Unit for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and thereafter also worked in the landlord/tenant space where he gained vast experience in the courtroom.

Firas Sawaf

Phoenix, AZ

Firas Sawaf obtained his Juris Doctor from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2020. After law school, he supported the litigation department in reviewing contracts and agreements for civil and commercial litigation. He also holds a Master's degree in Business and Economic Law from the University of Paris 1, Pantheon Sorbonne, earned in 2002. Before moving to Arizona, Mr. Sawaf worked at an international law firm, successfully negotiating contracts and settlement agreements. He is trilingual, speaking French and Arabic, which, along with his multinational legal exposure, enhances his ability to excel in various practice areas and protect clients' interests. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his two daughters, friends, and family, participating in competitive team sports like soccer, and engaging in outdoor activities.

Nadia Borruso

Syosset, NY

Nadia Borruso is a paralegal in the personal injury department with more than 20 years of experience, specializing in motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, and other negligence cases. She is highly experienced in all phases of litigation and is a notary public within the state of New York.

Salonee Patil

New York, NY

Salonee Patil joined Vaslas Lepowsky & Hauss LLP in March 2024. She focuses on the defense of physicians, hospitals, and healthcare providers in all stages of litigation throughout complex medical malpractice actions in New York. Before joining VLH, Ms. Patil worked with Judge Gerald Lebovits at the New York State Supreme Court. She practiced law in India focusing on general and commercial litigation before coming to the United States.

Jennifer Reiz

Beverly Hills, CA

Jennifer employs seven years of legal experience in assisting clients in pursuing justice. Her primary practice focuses on catastrophic injury claims, car accidents, bike accidents, dog bites, and premises liability. Jennifer has dedicated her career to compensating those harmed by the negligence of others. During her time in law school, Jennifer was editor of the International and Comparative Law Review Journal at Loyola. She continues to make time for her passion of writing at home. Outside of law, Jennifer loves to travel with her husband and son.

Jennifer Reiz

Beverly Hills, CA

Jennifer employs seven years of legal experience in assisting clients in pursuing justice. Her primary practice focuses on catastrophic injury claims, car accidents, bike accidents, dog bites, and premises liability. Jennifer has dedicated her career to compensating those harmed by the negligence of others. During her time in law school, Jennifer was editor of the International and Comparative Law Review Journal at Loyola. She continues to make time for her passion of writing at home. Outside of law, Jennifer loves to travel with her husband and son.

After his graduation from American University’s Washington College of Law, Miami attorney Antonio F. Valiente, Esq. began his legal career at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. There, he gained valuable insight and extensive experience over the course of six+ years. Between his time at the Public Defender’s Office & since founding Valiente, Carollo, and McElligott PLLC, he’s tried over 50 felony jury trials as lead counsel, dozens of misdemeanor jury trials, taken over one thousand depositions, & dozens of juvenile trials/adjudicatory hearings. Mr. Valiente’s experience encompasses everything from minor traffic-related misdemeanors to serious first-degree murder charges. He routinely assists clients throughout South Florida, offering sound legal counsel and aggressive representation for a wide range of cases. He has successfully argued for a judgment of acquittal and motions to suppress, as well as “Stand Your Ground” motions on behalf of his clients. Additionally, Mr. Valiente has provided a criminal defense for clients in pre-trial detention and in hearings for alleged probation violations. His commitment to top-quality legal services and ethical standards has earned him an Avvo Rating of 10 Excellent. Since 2015, Mr. Valiente has expanded his practice to handle property insurance matters - primarily first party claims, post-hurricane losses, and assignment of benefits claims. Having the opportunity to work with & learn from some of the best and most experienced property insurance attorneys in the State, Mr. Valiente now provides his property insurance clients - mainly homeowners and emergency remediation companies - with the same excellent representation he is known for providing his client’s accused of state & federal criminal offenses.

Nikki Yang

Madison, WI

Nikki Yang joined LawtonCates in 2025, specializing in personal injury, civil rights, contract disputes, and criminal defense. A University of Wisconsin School of Law graduate, she is fluent in English and Mandarin and is known for fighting injustices.

Steven A. Capriati

Tampa, FL

Steven A. Capriati is the Managing Attorney at Black Rock Trial Lawyers in Tampa, Florida, leading the firm's Personal Injury and Civil Litigation practice groups. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.A. in 2003 and Hofstra University School of Law with a J.D. in 2006. He began his career in Governmental and Corporate Affairs & Securities law, then served as a Senior Trial Attorney at the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office. He later represented plaintiffs at Morgan & Morgan and defended self-insured companies and insurers at national defense firms. He was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2006 and is licensed to practice in all Florida state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Before law, he was a professional tennis player, earning All-Conference honors at the University of South Florida and the University of Arizona.