English-Speaking Attorneys

Marcela Beltran

Washington, DC

Marcela Beltran is the Managing Litigation Paralegal at Oliver-Zhang Law. She leads and mentors interns, paralegals, and law clerks, ensuring efficient case management, legal research, and trial preparation. Fluent in Spanish and English, she makes legal help accessible, especially for the Hispanic community in immigration, personal injury, medical malpractice, drug product liability, and civil matters. She played a key role in a multimillion-dollar medical malpractice case and is dedicated to justice.

Yesenia Alfonso

Miami, FL

Clients of Gallardo Law Firm are fortunate to have Yesenia L. Alfonso as their immigration attorney. With experience in litigation and international arbitration, her extensive knowledge makes her a valuable ally for those navigating complex legal challenges and pursuing their dream of coming to the United States. In 2024, she celebrated her admission to the New York State Bar Association. Her professional experience includes prestigious law firms in South Carolina and in Miami. Her work in these successful law firms allowed her to develop important skills in legal analysis, report writing, and representation in high-level judicial disputes. Graduated with a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Arbitration from the University of Miami in 2022, this attorney holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honors from Queen Mary, University of London, and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Florida International University, specializing in Middle Eastern Studies and National Security. Ms. Alfonso is fluent in Spanish and English and proficient in French, Arabic, and Korean. Passionate about justice and human rights, she vigorously defends her clients and actively contributes to legal publications and initiatives supporting vulnerable individuals. She collaborates with the American Red Cross and other organizations to further these efforts.

Erick Lopez

La Grange Park, IL

Erick Lopez is an attorney who practices in the areas of civil litigation, intellectual property law, and patents. Mr. Lopez has represented clients in various civil matters throughout the state of Illinois and is focused on exceeding his client’s expectations. Prior to joining Weiss Ortiz, P.C., Mr. Lopez consulted with start-up companies on various intellectual property matters. This practice included drafting patent applications, interviewing inventors, and providing best-practice strategies at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Mr. Lopez has served as an extern and clerk for various organizations including: The United States Patent and Trademark Office, The Illinois Attorney General, and the IP Patent Clinic at the John Marshall Law School. Prior to receiving his J.D. and LL.M. in intellectual property law from The John Marshall Law School in 2018, Mr. Lopez earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University in 2013. Mr. Lopez is registered to practice as a patent practitioner with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and is licensed to practice law in Illinois.

Garrett Balabon is part of the team at The Law Offices of Michael F. Mahoney, committed to achieving the best outcomes for clients.

As the founder and Managing Partner of Tollinchi Law, P.A., Mariel Tollinchi leads her practice with a sharp focus on personal injury, car accidents, and condominium and homeowners association law. She is committed to providing exceptional, client-centered legal representation that delivers superior results. Mariel is known for her unwavering dedication, meticulous attention to detail, and integrity-driven approach. She is recognized as one of the top legal advocates in the community, with years of experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Attorney Tollinchi bridges cultural and language barriers. Before becoming an attorney, she spent nearly a decade as a law clerk for leading personal injury firms, gaining invaluable experience. She is also actively involved in the community as a Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity member and a volunteer for organizations providing free immigration legal services.

Meily Perez, Esq.

Miami, FL

Meily Perez is a Florida attorney dedicated to protecting the rights of homeowners and policyholders in property insurance disputes. Meily’s practice has always focused on first-party insurance claims, helping clients recover when their homes and businesses suffer damage from hurricanes, water losses, fires, and other covered events. Known for her persistence and attention to detail, Meily guides clients through every stage of the claims process, from initial dispute to litigation, ensuring they have a strong advocate against powerful insurance carriers.

Matthew R. Morian

Jasper, TX

Matthew R. Morian was born in Jasper, Texas, on September 23, 1994. He was admitted to the Texas bar in 2020 and is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas. He received his B.S. from Sam Houston State University in 2016 and his J.D. from Baylor Law School in 2019.

Alexandra R. Bisesi

New City, NY

Alexandra R. Bisesi specializes in matrimonial and family law across Rockland, Westchester, Orange, and Bronx Counties. She serves on the Board of Governors for the Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association, the Board of Directors for the Independent Office of Assigned Counsel, the Board for Yonkers Lawyers Association, and 100 Hispanic Women - Westchester Program. With a passion for client involvement, she brings energy, enthusiasm, and practical knowledge to her cases, focusing on achieving client objectives through thorough preparation, attention to detail, and passionate advocacy.

Gregory J. Fischer

Pittsburgh, PA

Gregory J. Fischer is 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, having been in the very first group of attorneys in the state to attain that certification in March 2013, and maintaining that certification since then. Mr. Fischer is the chair of the workers’ compensation practice group at Summers, McDonnell, Hudock, Guthrie and Rauch. Mr. Fischer has over 24 years of experience defending employers and insurers in all aspects of Pennsylvania workers’ compensation litigation. This includes both trial and appellate level work up to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, having primarily focused on this practice throughout his career. He also has experience representing employers and insurers in Federal Black Lung litigation. Mr. Fischer has served multiple terms as a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section Council, serving as an at-large member. He is also a member of the planning committee for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s Workers’ Compensation Bureau Conference and has served on the committee since 2015, working with representatives from all facets of the workers’ compensation community to develop the program for the bureau conference. Mr. Fischer has also served as a panelist and moderator for certain sessions at the Bureau conference, concerning topics relevant to the workers’ compensation insurance industry. He has also served for several years on the planning committee for the Western PA Workers’ Compensation Section Golf Outing, which is the section’s largest charitable event, benefiting Kids’ Chance of Pennsylvania. Mr. Fischer is a 2000 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, having also obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997. He is licensed in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and regularly practices workers’ compensation law in both states.

Sarah N. Gloates Horta

Ridgewood, NJ

Sarah N. Gloates Horta, Esq., is a senior Of Counsel attorney with the Aretsky Law Group, P.C. representing clients with matrimonial & family law matters. She was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and is fluent in both Spanish and English. In 2010, she graduated from The Pennsylvania State University and earned a Bachelors of Science in Crime, Law & Justice. Thereafter in 2013, she received her Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. Sarah externed for the Honorable Bonnie J. Mizdol, (Ret.) A.J.S.C. while Her Honor was the Presiding Judge for the Family Part in Bergen County. Upon graduating from law school, she joined The Radol Law Firm in Englewood and Englewood Cliffs for many years. During that time, Sarah ascended from an associate to the firm’s Family Division Managing Partner. In 2020, she established The Law Offices of Sarah N. Gloates Horta, Esq., L.L.C. in Hackensack, N.J. Sarah has devoted her practice to Matrimonial and Family Law matters.

Shant Chakerian

Burbank, CA

Shant H. Chakerian is a founding partner of KCNS Law Group, LLP. He began his legal career as a law clerk for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office, then practiced construction litigation and insurance defense before co-founding KCNS Law Group. He represents clients in work-related and personal injuries, catastrophic injuries, death cases, and family law matters.

Kayla Campbell

Dobson, NC

Kayla Campbell, from Boonville, NC, was inspired by her great-grandfather's legal career. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Salem College with a Spanish major, earned a Master's from Wake Forest University, and a Juris Doctor from Elon University School of Law in 2017. Fluent in Spanish, she is licensed in North Carolina and the District of Columbia, and is a member of SALSA.

Kristopher Smith

Phoenix, AZ

Kris graduated from Arizona Summit Law School in 2013 and is licensed to practice law in Arizona and in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. He has seven years of experience litigating insurance defense cases.

Erika Lezama-Simonson

Wildwood, NJ

Erika Lezama-Simonson focuses her practice on condominium law, land use and zoning, real estate transactions, business formations, estate planning and estate litigation. She is a compassionate advocate fluent in Spanish and English, representing individuals of Spanish-speaking backgrounds. In 2023, she and Mr. Barry achieved a $4 million dollar verdict, the highest ever awarded in Cape May County. She is barred in New Jersey and the Federal District Court of New Jersey, and is active in the Cape May Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association, and New Jersey Association for Justice.

Victor M. Arellano

Bel Air, MD

Victor M. Arellano is a bilingual lawyer and Partner/Shareholder at Arellano & Phebus, S.C. The firm has over 40 years of combined experience and is known for fighting for maximum compensation for clients.

Prior to joining The Dunk Law Firm, Christina’s diverse professional history included serving as a Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigator with The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services investigating allegations of abuse and neglect of children in Harris County, Texas. She also worked at one of the largest creditor law firms exclusively representing financial institutions in the area of the consumer debt collection. Christina received her Juris Doctor degree, Cum Laude, from Thurgood Marshall School of Law and her bachelor’s degree, Cum Laude, in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. While in Law School Christina journeyed abroad to study International Law at Queen Mary’s University in London England including stints in Paris, Spain, The International Courts of Justice in Amsterdam, and Rome. Once back in the United States, Christina served as a Student Attorney in the Thurgood Marshall Family Law Legal Clinic representing low-income clients as well as completing an externship with The Harris County Attorney’s Office in their Child Protective Division.

Scott joined McCollum Crowley in 2009 after completing his law school studies at Hamline University. He is a ’96 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College where he majored in Criminal Justice and Political Science. After Gustavus, Scott attended Michigan State University and obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences - Criminal Justice. After spending some time working in the criminal justice field, Scott-like most insurance professionals-somehow found his calling in the insurance field. In the late ‘90s, Scott began working as a Workers’ Compensation Claims Examiner for Wausau Insurance Companies. Since then, he has also worked for Westfield Insurance Group and Risk Administration Services. Scott feels his ten years of experience as a workers’ compensation adjuster allows him to connect with his clients on a level other attorneys cannot; he can certainly relate to the stresses and pressures of workers’ compensation claims adjusting and the many obstacles-both internally and externally-that need to be overcome. As an attorney, he enjoys problem solving with his clients and finding cost-effective solutions that best meet his clients’ needs.

Tamara A. Pérez Cantalapiedra

Kent, WA

Tamara A. Pérez Cantalapiedra is an associate attorney exclusively practicing immigration law, handling family-based immigration, U-visas, T-visas, VAWAs, waiver applications, and removal defense. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she is fluent in Spanish and English, and has improved her French. She received her J.D. from Boston College Law School in 2024 and is an active member of AILA.

Nicole Vellojin

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nicole, who prefers to go by Nikki, is one of the dedicated legal assistants at Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers. Nikki is a graduate of Florida International University with her Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. In addition to her administrative prowess, her commitment significantly contributes to the firm’s success in providing exceptional legal support to all of our clients. Apart from work, Nikki also enjoys going to the gym, trying new restaurants and simply just kicking back, relaxing and watching some Netflix! She is also fluent in both English and Spanish.

Douglas J. Phebus

Arvada, CO

personal injury lawyer

Adam J. Russo

Mt. Pleasant, SC

Adam Russo, born in Connecticut and raised in the low country of South Carolina, attended the College of Charleston and completed his legal education at St. Thomas University and Florida State. He clerked for the Florida Supreme Court. He previously served as a DUI prosecutor for the 14th Judicial Circuit and as a private defense attorney. He is a member of the National College for DUI Defense.

Anthony F. Santacroce

Hartford, CT

Anthony is a graduate of Quinnipiac School of Law and has been an attorney for over 30 years. He started his career as a plaintiffs' personal injury attorney at Solomon and Stanton in Meriden representing plaintiffs in personal injury matters and trials. He then worked at the Law Offices of Dahlmayer, Labiner and Santacroce as in- house counsel for Home Insurance Company, representing personal and commercial clients as defendants in personal injury lawsuits. His final position before joining in-house counsel for Nationwide Insurance was as Managing Trial Counsel for General Accident Insurance. As Managing Trial Counsel, he was in charge of the Connecticut trial office. Besides his administrative duties as manager, he maintained a full caseload and continued to do trial work. In 1989 he joined Nationwide Insurance as a senior trial attorney, in order to concentrate on trial work. In his 30+ year career with Nationwide, he has tried over 100 jury trials for both personal and commercial clients. He has also negotiated settlements on behalf of thousands of Nationwide clients. He has tried cases involving auto and boating accidents, including fatalities; dram shop (liquor liability); accidental drownings and fire legal liability for both commercial and personal clients. Some of his commercial clients were among the largest companies in the U.S. In addition to his trial practice, he brought many cases to successful conclusion utilizing arbitration and mediation hearings. Lastly, Anthony has been appointed to and has served as a Special Master in Hartford Superior Court for the past 20+ years. In that role, he has rendered written decisions in hundreds of cases that Hartford Superior Court has assigned him to adjudicate. After retiring from Nationwide, Anthony wanted to return to where he began his legal career in representing plaintiffs in personal injury matters. He is currently of counsel at Polinsky Law Group,LLC. He is involved in all aspects of litigation, including negotiating settlements and bringing cases to successful resolution by mediation, arbitration and trial.

Antonette Payne is an Of Counsel attorney born in Ft. Wayne, IN. She holds a BA in Sociology and an MA in Adult and Community Education from Ball State University, and a law degree from New York Law School. With over 15 years of experience, she is licensed in New York and Indiana, practicing in business, intellectual property, immigration, and social services disability law. She is proficient in English and Spanish. Antonette returned to Indiana in 2012 to raise her family and teaches legal studies and business law. She is actively involved in the community, serving on several boards including the Ft. Wayne Center for Nonviolence, Fort Wayne Mayor’s Opportunity Advisory Board, and Artlink in Ft. Wayne.