English-Speaking Attorneys

Donald B. Bagley III

Chardon, OH

Donald B. Bagley III is an associate attorney whose practice areas include estate planning, probate and estate administration, real estate, business organization, and contracts. He received his J.D. from Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1993 and a B.A. in Political Science from Miami University in 1990. He was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1993. Prior to joining Ibold & O'Brien, he owned his own law office and served as a Geauga County Assistant Prosecutor.

E. David Wright

Dubuque, IA

E. David Wright practices law to help people solve their problems, providing restorative justice to those wronged and assisting those who have been sued, aiming to lift their burdens.

James M. Williams received his B.S Degree from Auburn University in 1990 and his J.D. degree in 1993 from Cumberland School of Law. Mr. Williams is a member of the Alabama and Florida State Bar. He is admitted to practice in United States Federal Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. He is also admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Mr. Williams' practice is focused on Civil Litigation, Federal and State Criminal Defense, Probate, Wills and Trusts. Mr. Williams prior work experience was as an Assistant District Attorney for the 5th Circuit of Alabama and as a Consultant for Alfa Insurance.

Jason Hyndman practices in the areas of real estate development, land use, eminent domain, and civil litigation, representing both private clients and government entities. Jason has substantial experience in land use issues arising out of the Municipal Land Use Law, the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, and affordable housing under New Jersey’s Fair Housing Act, representing municipalities, land use boards, developers, and property owners in the land use application process, actions in lieu of prerogative writs, as well as contract claims stemming from redevelopment agreements and commercial leases. In this capacity, he currently serves as the board attorney for the Wayne Township Board of Adjustment and has also represented numerous property owners and developers in obtaining land use approvals for projects ranging from retail/commercial improvements to midrise, multi-family residential developments, and low density affordable and supportive housing. Additionally, Jason has represented municipalities in their efforts to satisfy their affordable housing obligations as well as assisted developers in obtaining development approvals for affordable housing projects. Throughout his career, Jason has also litigated a diverse set of disputes, representing clients from case inception at the trial level, through arguments before the New Jersey Appellate Division. Jason has extensive experience in the field of eminent domain, counseling condemning authorities in all phases of the acquisition process; from project design through litigation of property value. Notably, Jason has served as special counsel to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in connection with various flood control projects in Bergen, Hudson, and Ocean Counties. In Ocean County, Jason assisted the DEP in acquiring hundreds of easements along the Atlantic coastline in connection with two separate shore protection projects. In this role, Jason achieved a successful jury verdict in a case of first impression; arguing that the DEP’s offer of substitute property rights fully mitigated the substantial loss of value attributed to the acquired easement and resulting construction of an engineered dune over the property. In reaching its verdict for no monetary compensation, the jury rejected the property owner’s competing 3.5-million-dollar claim. Upon appeal, Jason successfully defended the verdict, which was affirmed by the New Jersey Appellate Division and denied certification by the New Jersey Supreme Court. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the New Jersey Supreme Court. A native New Jerseyan and life-long resident, Jason received his B.A. from Rutgers University in 2006. He obtained his Juris Doctor in 2011 from Rutgers Law School. While in law school, Jason interned in the office of the Jersey City Corporation Counsel and served as Judicial Intern to Hon. William J. Martini, United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Jason was also a member of the Rutgers Moot Court Board and was selected as an Eagleton Institute of Politics Graduate Fellow.

Jeffrey Love concentrates his practice in the areas of trust and estate planning, estate administration and business succession. Mr. Love has extensive experience counseling the owners of closely-held businesses on innovative succession planning strategies. His counseling services to business owners range from the establishment of initial business organizations and the drafting of effective shareholder agreements, to tax advice that helps pass business ownership from one generation to the next. Mr. Love works closely with other professionals, including accountants, financial planners, insurance advisers and other attorneys, to implement tax-efficient plans and sophisticated trusts to meet his clients’ goals of estate and gift tax reduction, asset security and beneficiary protection. Having represented executors and trustees in many jurisdictions, Mr. Love also has extensive experience handling estate and gift tax audits, litigating tax controversies, and prosecuting and defending contested fiduciary accountings. Mr. Love’s litigation experience includes both trial and appellate courts in many jurisdictions, involving insurance defense, professional liability (attorney malpractice) and the defense of government entities and officials in state and federal courts. He successfully argued the unanimous New Jersey Supreme Court decision in Jiminez v. Baglieri, 152 N.J. 337 (1997), on behalf of a State insurance fund. Mr. Love also works closely with matrimonial attorneys in connection with tax and asset protection issues incident to prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, property settlement agreements and the implementation of estate plans during the pendency of a divorce proceeding.

Rachel Jokinen

New Orleans, LA

Rachel Jokinen is an attorney in the Succession and Estate Planning Division at Scott Vicknair, with three years of practice experience in state and federal courts covering successions, wills, estates, insurance liability, divorce, child custody, and property partitions. She graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and earned her Juris Doctor from Tulane University Law School in 2021. She is admitted to practice in Louisiana and has argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Allison G. Yee

Honolulu, HI

Allison G. Yee is an associate licensed in Hawaii, California (inactive), and Nevada (inactive), concentrating in business/commercial litigation. She has litigated diverse matters including accountant malpractice, business disputes, and real estate. She is also a California licensed Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Raquel Ortiz

West Columbia, SC

Raquel Ortiz is the Spanish Translator at Burnside Law Firm, having been with the team for the past 2 years. She specializes in Social Security and has knowledge across various topics including Motor Vehicle Accidents, personal injury, and Worker’s Compensation. Raquel helps Hispanic clients understand their rights and position. She is an honor graduate from White Knoll High School (2020) and pursued Business studies at Midlands Technical College.

Joe Dowdell

Oklahoma City, OK

Joseph ("Joe") Dowdell is an associate attorney who advises clients at all stages of the litigation process, including at trial and on appeal. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, general civil litigation, construction law, and general insurance defense litigation. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 2014 and the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2021.

Daniel Joseph Sammel

Pittsburgh, PA

Attorney Sammel was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. As an alumnus of Central Catholic High School and the University of Pittsburgh, he has held fast to his Pittsburgh roots and is absolutely devoted to providing the highest caliber of legal representation to those unfortunate enough to be injured through no fault of their own. Attorney Sammel previously defended insurance companies during the early portion of his career. Although he gained a tremendous amount of experience during that time, he did not find personal fulfillment and felt great sympathy for the injured Plaintiffs he witnessed on a daily basis. Accordingly, he left the insurance companies behind and began representing injured Plaintiffs. He now uses his experience as an insurance defense litigator to better represent his clients’ interests in his quest to obtain the one ideal the legal system was designed to create-justice.

Simon has been practicing in South Florida for 28 years, primarily in the area of workers’ compensation. He is fluent in Spanish and French. This fluency has empowered Simon to better serve the diverse South Florida community. In addition, to his Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, he obtained an LL.M from The American University in Washington, D.C. Simon is fortunate to live in Florida and to be able to enjoy everything that it has to offer. When Simon is not working he is put enjoying South Florida’s beautiful beaches, horseback riding in Wellington or antiquing wherever he can. He also is greatly fond of classical music, opera, and travel.

Gianni Avalos is an associate attorney at Calhoun Meredith. She is a north Texas native who received a Bachelor of Business Administration from West Texas A&M University. She earned her Juris Doctorate at South Texas College of Law, where she previously served as a law clerk for Calhoun Meredith. She provides attention to detail, organization, zealous advocacy, and empathy to her clients’ matters and can represent both English and Spanish speaking clients.

Eric Backstrom

Rogers, AR

Eric began his legal career in the Air Force with the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. He joined the firm in winter 2011. He is passionate about helping people and enjoys spending time with his family, cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks, and playing ultimate Frisbee and softball.

Alex Platt

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL

Alex Platt is an Of Counsel attorney specializing in estate planning, probate, and trust administration. He is known for his meticulous attention to detail, strategic thinking, and compassionate approach. He earned his JD and Masters of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida and is Board Certified in Wills, Trusts & Estates.

Joshua R. Kon

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Joshua R. Kon is a litigation partner and core leader at Stok Kon + Braverman, specializing in complex business, civil, real estate, and regulatory matters. He leads trial strategy across various practice areas and has extensive appellate experience, including a Petition for Writ of Certiorari accepted by the U.S. Supreme Court. He is also a thought leader in AI law.

Raymundo Reyes

Phoenix, AZ

I am passionate about advocating for our clients and giving them my best effort to achieve the best results. I enjoy opportunities to cultivate effective professional relationships with clients, so that my efforts on their behalf truly reflect their unique needs and goals. Ray Reyes launched his immigration and litigation practice at Schneider & Onofry after excelling academically at the University of Arizona. He is an immigration and civil litigation attorney, a 2016 graduate of the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona, where he was Articles Editor of the Arizona Law Review, earned the Dean’s Achievement Scholarship, and received the Outstanding Performance in Legal Writing Award. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University. In the community, Ray has taught English to refugee children through Community Outreach & Advocacy for Refugees (COAR). His hobbies include gardening, reading, and playing Rummikub.

Anthony Shively

Boise, ID

Tony joined Litster Frost in 2006 as a case manager and paralegal. He obtained his JD in 2015 from Condordia University School of Law in Boise, Idaho. He is experienced in all aspects of personal injury law from the initial stages, negotiating settlements and trial. He has since proven integral to the astonishing growth and success of our firm and he handles all types of personal injury and worker’s compensation cases. He is bilingual in both English and Spanish and has helped many clients with immigration matters including obtaining citizenship, student visas, U-visas, defending deportees, obtaining prosecutorial discretion and navigating the DACA program. His familiarity with immigration law is a great benefit to our clients whose workplace issues often intersect with immigration law or have immigration consequences. Anthony is a forceful advocates for our clients. His many years of experience allows him to anticipate client needs, help them explore all their legal options so that our clients can make the best decisions for their individual circumstances. Anthony knows that you may have a great deal on your mind, but he is here to make sure the other side knows you are a top priority. He wants to make this as easy on you as possible by fighting to get you the result you’re entitled, so that you can concentrate on what’s important to you. Please contact him today to set up an initial consultation.

Sandeep Agarwal

Beverly Hills, CA

Sandeep Agarwal, Esq., Associate Attorney at California Attorney Group, has been a vital member for eight years, known for his exceptional litigation skills and impressive track record, including a landmark $1 million verdict and substantial settlements in 2024, while demonstrating a strong commitment to both his clients and family.

Ariana Saadipour

Pinellas Park, FL

Ariana Saadipour is a powerful advocate for the injured, blending legal savvy with an unwavering dedication to justice. She fights fiercely for clients who have suffered injuries due to negligence, using her insider knowledge of insurance companies to secure the best possible outcomes. Ariana started her academic journey in the sciences, earning a degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Puerto Rico. She then took her analytical mind to Syracuse University College of Law, where she discovered her love for legal advocacy. Fluent in both Spanish and English, she ensures her clients feel heard, understood, and empowered-no matter their background.

Devin Kathleen Epp

Glendale, CA

Less than a year after becoming a licensed attorney, Devin was examining witnesses in federal court in a whistleblower and discrimination retaliation trial. After receiving a successful verdict and watching how her efforts had an indelible impact on her client, she became committed to advocating for workers wronged by abusive, powerful institutions. Since then, she has become an award-winning litigator with experience fighting discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful terminations. It is this dedication that has led her to LFJ, continuing her commitment to holding employers and government institutions accountable to the law and their obligations to hardworking, honest employees. Devin is married to her husband, Kevin. They enjoy hiking, skiing, and anything outdoors whenever the western Washington weather cooperates.

Pedro Morales

Lakeland, FL

When looking at qualities in a lawyer, I believe one of the most important and overlooked is the capacity to listen. Listening is the way that we as lawyers understand our clients and their needs; this helps us to connect with them and, ultimately, better serve them. I find this is true with all of my clients, whether they be English- or Spanish-speaking clients. We can never lose sight of the personal relationship we build with our clients and the individual connection that enables all of us to become better advocates. In his legal practice, Attorney Morales is driven by a desire to help people who are facing big, well-funded insurance companies. He believes in developing meaningful, personal relationships with his clients, as well as the importance of having honest conversations with them. Attorney Morales always tells his clients the truth while also ensuring they know he will fight for them. Attorney Morales views his role in the attorney-client relationship as a guide. He works to help his clients navigate challenging, difficult circumstances and come out the other side. He draws on his past experience helping clients in similar situations to act fast, anticipate issues, and develop strategies to overcome them. He also understands that every case is different and, as such, every client deserves personalized attention and solutions tailored to their unique needs, concerns, and goals.

Parker S. Lucas

Kenly, NC

Parker’s priority is his clients. He has successfully negotiated agreements to resolve disputes outside of the courtroom and has also advocated passionately for his clients’ best interest in court. He has a broad practice, with a focus on family law, criminal and traffic, and civil litigation.

Charles J. Sclafani, Jr.

West Springfield, MA

Charles J. Sclafani, Jr., was born in Boston, Massachusetts and has been a resident of Western Massachusetts since 1981. He is a graduate of the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, Peabody, Massachusetts, the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and the Western New England University School of Law. He initially practiced law with the Springfield, Massachusetts law firm of Weitz & Sclafani from 1988 to 2002 and with the firm of Johnson, Sclafani & Moriarty in West Springfield, Massachusetts from 2002 to the present. He also served as Town Prosecutor for the Town of Agawam from 1989 to 1994 and as Associate Solicitor for the Town of Agawam from 1989 to 1998 and from 2008 to 2010.