English-Speaking Attorneys

Brian S. Conlon

San Francisco, CA

Brian is a partner at Phillips, Erlewine, Given & Carlin. Prior to joining the firm in 2014, Brian graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School and served as a staff attorney with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. His practice focuses on appellate, intellectual property, employment, and commercial law matters. Brian is licensed to practice law in California and New York.

Sarah M. Thornsberry

Knoxville, TN

Sarah is an estate planning and tax attorney with the firm. She received her undergraduate degree in business administration from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, and in 2014 graduated from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, with special certification from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and the Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law. During law school, she was actively involved with the Pepperdine Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship, and the Law (JBEL) and the Christian Legal Society. Sarah received her Master of Laws in Taxation (Tax LL.M.) from the University of Florida Frederic G. Levin College of Law in 2015. Sarah enjoys working with clients to create a tax-efficient plan for the future through estate planning. Prior to joining the firm, Sarah worked for a large firm in Nashville, where she assisted clients with strategic tax planning related to mergers and acquisitions. She has experience in forming tax-exempt organizations and guiding nonprofit clients through governance and funding questions. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Lincoln Memorial University’s Duncan School of Law. In her free time, Sarah likes to hike with friends, spend time with her family, and serve her church community. She enjoys traveling, especially after her time studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland and London, England.

Chris Siudyla

Decatur, IL

Chris Siudyla earned his Juris Doctorate from Northern Illinois University in 2007, graduating cum laude. He joined the Erickson, Davis, Murphy, Johnson & Walsh, Ltd. law firm in 2007 and continued with Kiley Klein, Ltd. in 2023, where he now serves in an of-counsel capacity. He completed his undergraduate degree in History and Political Science at the University of Illinois in 2004. His legal practice focuses on business matters and charitable organizations.

Donald Bertke is a partner in the Firm’s Personal Injury Practice. Don’s practice is devoted to handling a wide variety of personal injury cases, including those involving motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents, premises liability, negligent security, and wrongful death. Prior to joining Kanner & Pintaluga, Don worked at another South Florida personal injury firm where he handled personal injury cases and PIP claims. He is keenly aware of litigation tactics employed by insurance companies and their counsel to pressure the injured person to accept a smaller settlement or simply walk away from their case. Don received his B.A. in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University. As an undergraduate, he took graduate level courses in biological basis of behavior and did research in unconscious transference in eyewitness testimony. Don completed his J.D. at Nova Southeastern University where he helped manage a judicial campaign and also assisted in raising money for a national organization that provides pro-bono legal representation to individuals who have been discriminated against on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, or medical conditions.

Victor M. Arellano

Huntington, NY

Victor M. Arellano is a bilingual Partner/Shareholder at Arellano & Phebus, S.C., focusing on personal injury, medical negligence, employment, criminal, and immigration law in Wisconsin.

Joe Stanley

Dover, DE

Attorney Joe Stanley is a workers' compensation and personal injury attorney with Schwartz & Schwartz, Attorneys at Law, P.A. He is dedicated to protecting clients' rights after preventable accidents or work-related medical conditions, striving for the best possible outcome. He helps clients navigate the workers' compensation system, from application to appeals, and represents individuals and families in personal injury cases including motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and defective products, holding negligent parties accountable.

Jonathan Hembree

Dallas, TX

Prior to joining Cunningham Swaim, Jonathan worked with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, where he tried numerous cases to verdict. His experience in the City Attorney’s office taught him not only how to be quick on his feet, but also how to artfully navigate jury trials.

Kirk S. Comer

Beverly Hills, CA

In his 15 years of practice, Mr. Comer has acquired extensive experience litigating a wide variety of legal matters on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants. His practice focuses on business, public entity, real estate and multi-plaintiff complex litigation. He has handled every aspect of litigation from case inception through appeal in numerous practice areas - litigating cases in state and federal court, and arbitrating matters locally and internationally. Prior to joining Etehad Law, Mr. Comer was a partner at Casselman Law Group, a boutique trial firm in the San Fernando Valley. While there, Mr. Comer assumed a leading role in prosecuting the firm’s complex, large-scale, multi-year litigation by acting as the partner in charge of research and writing. As plaintiffs’ counsel, Mr. Comer was an instrumental part of the trial team that successfully settled the internationally renowned Millennium Tower litigation in San Francisco on behalf of 200+ individual plaintiffs, whose luxury condominiums were damaged by an adjacent public works construction project. He also played an integral role in real estate litigation on behalf of homeowner plaintiffs against the County of San Bernardino for flood damage, for plaintiff homeowners against the State of California for damage to homes caused by an Orange County freeway expansion project, and a successful construction defect litigation against a developer for homes damaged by a mudslide. Mr. Comer also obtained a favorable settlement for the Government of Alberta, Canada in a high-profile fraud case. As Defense Counsel, recently, and most notably, Mr. Comer successfully defended a business fraud matter and battery allegations against an orthopedic surgeon both by way of summary judgment. Through arbitration, Mr. Comer defended an award on behalf of his clients in an international shipping dispute, successfully defeated 94% of claimed damages on behalf of a restaurant accused of labor violations, and was successful in an anti-SLAPP motion in federal court for a client accused of defamation. Kirk is licensed to practice before all the courts of the state of California and the United States District Court for the Central & Eastern Districts of California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

M. Richard Valenti

Newton, NJ

Richard Valenti joined the firm in 1984. He currently serves as its managing partner. He has extensive experience in complex commercial and business transactions, real estate transactions, land use approvals, and loan transactions. Mr. Valenti’s practice also covers municipal government law and estate planning and administration. Mr. Valenti has represented a wide variety of companies in lease negotiations, asset sale transactions, real estate purchases and sales and financing negotiations. He has obtained subdivision, site plan, and variance approvals for numerous clients. He has obtained approvals for a wide variety of commercial sites: large scale housing projects, gas stations, and commercial office buildings. He has represented numerous clients in their efforts to preserve farmland and open space through farmland preservation easements and sales to the Green Acres program. He has represented municipal governing bodies, boards of health and land use boards in several municipalities.

Jacob C. Smith

Walnut Creek, CA

When facing disputes over trusts and estates, clients turn to Jake Smith for his steady hand and creative solutions to ambiguous situations. Jake applies his knowledge and experience in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate law to shepherd clients through the valleys and peaks of trust and estate administration and related litigation. His practice focuses on helping clients achieve the right result tailored to their situation, be it through estate planning or litigation. Prior to becoming an attorney, Jake honed his conflict resolution skills over years of experience as a human intelligence collector for United States Army special operations forces. While in law school, Jake participated in the Pacific McGeorge Elder Law Clinic, where he obtained elder abuse restraining orders on behalf of vulnerable elderly clients. Jake also participated in the Legislative and Public Policy Clinic where he co-wrote and advocated for legislation to improve peace officer training on recognizing the signs of financial elder abuse; AB 2623 (Pan) became law in 2014. Jake enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and Goldendoodle pup named “Chewy.” When he is not hiking in the foothills, you can find Jake cheering on his son at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions.

Erika Portillo is Of Counsel to Guichard Teng & Garrett. Ms. Portillo is a highly experienced immigration lawyer whose interest and passion in law makes her a skillful advocate on behalf of her clients. Her knowledge and experience in immigration law and her passion for the subject have helped many foreign nationals secure immigration status and pursue their dreams in the United States. Her work as a compassionate immigration attorney is enhanced by her experience as a government attorney in Mexico. She has experience in family immigration, removal defense, U Nonimmigrant visas, VAWA cases, asylum, and naturalization, among other immigration matters. Her experience in the subject allows her to comprehensively advise clients on the full range of immigration options and risks.

Chen Chen

Charlotte, NC

Mrs. Chen Chen is an Associate Attorney at Latorre Law Firm, practicing in Immigration Law. Mrs. Chen earned Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2019. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) at Jinan University (Guangzhou, China) and Master of Laws (LLM) specialized in Business and Commercial law at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in Indiana. She has been working in immigration law area since 2018 and has a lot of experiences in family-based applications. She is full of passion for helping clients.

Helena Jordan

Monterey, CA

Helena Jordan is a personal injury attorney committed to ensuring everyone receives just treatment, regardless of their background. She finds it rewarding to guide clients through complex legal processes, especially when they are in vulnerable positions due to life-changing injuries. Helena enjoys understanding her clients' needs and utilizing her legal knowledge to prevent exploitation. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and is working towards becoming trilingual.

Ashley Briscoe

Hamilton, OH

Ashley Briscoe joined Kruger & Hodges in January 2023. An Ohio native, she earned her law degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law. Prior to law school, she worked as a litigation paralegal and participated extensively in Moot Court. She also worked at a Prosecutor’s Office in juvenile delinquency and children’s protection. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.

Cecilia Sardiña Guzman

Saddle Brook, NJ

Cecilia Sardiña Guzman is an aggressive, straight forward, and experienced attorney provides personal attention to each client’s individual circumstances and takes great satisfaction in vigorously representing their positions. Ms. Guzman graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a Bachelor in Spanish Literature. Prior to attending law school, she studied Constitution Law at the University of Miami and thereafter attended Western New England University School of Law where she obtained her Juris Doctorate in 1999. Following law school, she clerked for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office handling complex municipal appeals. In 2002, Ms. Guzman expanded her practice to include Family Law when she began practicing at the Law Firm of Fusco & Macaluso where she managed the matrimonial unit. In 2005 Ms. Guzman expanded further by signing on as an associate for the Law Firm of Bastarrika, Guzman & Soto. In 2010, Ms. Guzman launched her own law firm, the Law Office of Cecilia Sardiña Guzman, LLC, in Totowa, New Jersey. In September 2014 she was appointed as a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Paterson and also served as the Municipal Court Judge for the Town of Dover from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020. Ms. Guzman closed her practice after 8 years to focus on her judicial responsibilities. As an attorney with over 20 years of experience, Ms. Guzman has litigated virtually every aspect of family law, including divorce, custody disputes, child support hearings, removal applications, domestic violence restraining orders, palimony matters, same-sex and civil union disputes, contested adoptions and DCPP matters. Ms. Guzman continues to be Court Appointed Guardian Ad Litem in complex child custody, child abuse and child neglect actions and also handles international custody matters and matters dealing with the Hague Convention. Ms. Guzman is also certified as a mediator. Ms. Guzman volunteered as an expert panelist on the Passaic County Matrimonial Early Settlement Panel. She also volunteers her time as an advocate for victim’s rights and as an inspirational speaker to young girls at school assemblies throughout the state. Ms. Guzman missed the practice of law and is now working per diem for Peter Van Aulen in addition to continuing as a Municipal Court Judge. Ms. Guzman has a reputation for being a strong advocate by her adversaries but is also known to be an understanding and compassionate voice for her clients.

Partner at Mexlaw, Charles graduated from the University of Ottawa in 1982 and has been a member of the Bar of Quebec since 1983 with occasional practice at the Bar of Ontario. His career spans more than 35 years during which he has litigated civil matters before all instances in Canadian courts. Charles is also a successful entrepreneur and has participated in multiple real estate transactions and commercial negotiations. He is an Attorney and CEO of Tibshirani Avocats, a respected law firm in Montreal, Canada.

Brian M. Tavares

Somerset, MA

Brian M. Tavares is an Associate at Coastal Legal Affiliates, P.C. He graduated summa cum laude from Roger Williams University (B.S. Legal Studies and English Literature, 2009) and cum laude from Roger Williams University School of Law (J.D., 2012). He is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and admitted to the United States District Court in both districts. He has experience in criminal defense, civil litigation, and family law. He is also a certified mediator and fluent in English and Portuguese.

Whitney Boan

Winter Park, FL

Attorney Whitney S. Boan, is a distinguished criminal defense advocate with over 20 years of experience. She is recognized for her unwavering commitment to treating clients with dignity and respect by humanizing them to the court and to opposing counsel, and by expeditiously and aggressively assisting them by protecting their legal, civil, and human rights through what is sometimes a daunting and complex legal system. A Central Florida native and Stetson University alumna, she earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Boan’s legal journey commenced as an Assistant Public Defender before becoming an Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Stuart I. Hyman, P.A. She later served the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, and spent seven years as an Assistant Regional Counsel, handling diverse criminal cases. In 2010, she established her private practice, achieving notable success in federal and state criminal cases, including larger-scale drug trafficking, conspiracy, racketeering (RICO), fraud, and white-collar crimes. Boan joined Snure & Ponall, P.A. in 2014, where she showcased her expertise in complex criminal trial litigation and family law matters. In 2015, she founded Whitney S. Boan, P.A., emphasizing aggressive and effective representation in federal and state criminal cases. Her illustrious career now sees her as an integral part of the successful team at Payne Law, where she brings her extensive experience and legal prowess to the forefront. Boan’s achievements extend beyond the courtroom, garnering recognition for her legal contributions and dedication. Notably, she has been featured on many reputable news platforms, solidifying her reputation as a trailblazer in the realm of criminal defense.

Anya Greenberg

Boca Raton, FL

Anya Greenberg is an Associate at Greenberg & Strelitz, P.A. Mrs. Greenberg is fluent in English, Hebrew, Russian, and Spanish. She obtained her Paralegal Certificate from the University of Miami in 2010, and then continued her legal education at Nova Southeastern University, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree. Mrs. Greenberg’s experience includes being a Certified Legal Intern with the Broward County, Florida State Attorney’s Office, where she tried both jury and non-jury trials. Mrs. Greenberg is a huge asset to Greenberg & Strelitz, P.A. and its clients.

Desiree Velasquez

Los Angeles, CA

Desiree is the Director of Client Advocacy at Venerable Injury Law. As the person that oversees the personal injury claims unit, her duties include, but are not limited to, facilitation of interworking office teams, intercompany project implementation, process/protocol development, employee onboarding/new hire training, and ensuring that each team member is effectively performing to the best of their potential. She is the escalation point for complex issues and the designated problem-solver for ongoing claims. During pre-litigation, Desiree supervises each case from intake to its closing point, which specifically includes overseeing cases to ensure that every client is properly guided through the insurance claims process. By way of background, Desiree’s professional history comprises over ten years of experience in the legal sector and over twenty years of experience in customer communications and customer care. This experience allows her to successfully fulfill her role as the firm's leading negotiator and settlement advisor. Moreover, the pride that she has in her client advocacy skills drives her to encourage other team members to become the best professional versions of themselves. Desiree has a strong belief in always doing the right thing and defending those who cannot defend themselves. Such belief was instilled in her during early childhood, where she witnessed injustice and the suffering caused by such injustice. Accordingly, her professional goal is to spread knowledge and awareness to all injury victims so that they have the information, tools, and resources required to obtain justice in their own lives.

Lee Ratner

Walnut Creek, CA

Lee Ratner’s entire professional career has been devoted to helping undocumented and documented immigrants gain status in the United States. He started his career in New York City in the summer of 2007, primarily representing the Chinese immigrant community in asylum claims. Since that time he has represented immigrants from diverse backgrounds across the United States. Beside asylum cases Lee represents immigrants in matters involving Cancellation of Removal, I-212(c) waivers, I-601 waivers, and more. He is also experienced in family immigration and O-visas for artists. In addition to his work in front of different Immigration Court and USCIS offices, he is experienced in writing appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Administrative Appeals Office, where he has great success. In March 2018, Lee moved to California for family reasons and has been representing immigrants in the San Francisco Bay Area with the same zealousness with which he represented immigrants in New York. Lee is a graduate of New York Law School and American University.

Michael Liskow

Lake Worth, FL

Michael Liskow is a Member of the Firm with extensive experience litigating complex class actions on behalf of plaintiffs in consumer fraud, data breach, antitrust, securities, housing, and wage and hour matters. He is dedicated to seeking justice for individuals and businesses exploited by corporations. Michael has been recognized as a “New York Super Lawyer” since 2019 and a “Rising Star” from 2013-2018.

Michel Shenouda

Los Angeles, CA

Michel Shenouda is dedicated to helping clients navigate the legal process and receive proper compensation. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Pacific Union College and a Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. He is fluent in English and Arabic.