English-Speaking Attorneys

Margo Ann Barnett

Louisville, KY

Margo Barnett has been licensed to practice law in Kentucky since October 2003, after graduating from Northern Kentucky University, Chase College of Law. She began her practice in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, focusing her areas of practice in family law. Margo focuses her practice on helping clients through the most difficult time of their life while ensuring that they are represented ethically and zealously.

Peter Nickl

Maitland, FL

Peter Nickl is a Partner at Jackson Law International, admitted to the bar in Germany in 1996 and a member of the Nürnberg Bar Association. He founded his law practice in Regensburg, Germany, in the same year. He represents clients throughout Germany in a variety of civil matters, particularly for medium-sized companies and private clients, and assists in U.S.-German cross-border legal matters. He holds three bar-certified specialist titles in Transport and Freight Forwarding Law, Employment Law, and Construction and Architectural Law. He is bilingual in English and German, having spent a year as an exchange student in the U.S. and interned at a law firm in Southern California.

Danny Upton

Hoover, AL

C. Daniel Upton provides representation and guidance on a wide range of immigration matters at Abogados Centro Legal. He graduated with honors in International Studies from Birmingham-Southern University and received a full scholarship to the University of Alabama School of Law. After graduating, he was commissioned as a missionary attorney for the United Methodist Church, working with Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) in North Alabama and Western Michigan, providing free legal representation to vulnerable immigrants. He returned to Alabama in 2010 and was a lead plaintiff in challenging the Anti-Immigration Law HB 56 in 2011. He has been with the firm for 8 years (as of 2021).

Jacob Perez

San Antonio, TX

Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Jacob Perez began his legal career as a civil defense attorney. After gaining valuable trial experience, he transitioned to representing plaintiffs, using his knowledge of defense strategies to advocate for individuals seeking justice. Jacob dedicates his practice to helping those who have been wronged by ensuring that they receive fair treatment and the compensation they deserve. Before becoming a lawyer, Jacob served in the United States Air Force, where he developed the discipline, resilience, and leadership skills that continue to shape his approach to the law. His military background instilled in him a strong work ethic and a commitment to service-values that he brings to his clients every day. Outside of work, Jacob is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and staying active.

A. Riley Powell IV

Andalusia, AL

A. Riley Powell IV graduated from the University of Alabama and its School of Law. Admitted to practice in Alabama in 1994 and all U.S. Federal Courts, he has extensive trial experience, personally trying over 200 jury cases and hundreds of judge trials across Alabama, specializing in civil and criminal litigation.

Sean Yun

Forest Hills, NY

Shangshui “Sean” Yun is a skilled and zealous litigator based in New York City. He earned his J.D. from New York Law School, where he excelled in advocacy. Before joining Cohen & Cohen, Mr. Yun honed his litigation skills by successfully representing both plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial litigation matters and personal injury matters, including slip-and-fall accidents, product liability, negligent supervision, and general negligence claims. Fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese, Mr. Yun is committed to serving clients from diverse backgrounds with sensitivity and care. Known for his meticulous case preparation, strategic negotiation, and unwavering dedication to securing the best possible outcome for his clients, Mr. Yun leverages the award-winning expertise of Cohen & Cohen’s legal team to achieve results that truly make a difference.

Kevin R. Riva is a highly experienced criminal defense attorney at Travis Noble. His coast-to-coast legal career spans nearly three decades, and includes successful practice in four states. He puts this experience to work by providing unique insights and strategies that benefit his Missouri clients. Mr. Riva handles a comprehensive range of cases from misdemeanors to complex felonies, including drug offenses, violent crimes, and DWI/DUI charges. He has developed particular expertise in cases involving constitutional issues, search and seizure challenges, and matters where immigration consequences intersect with criminal proceedings. His meticulous approach to case preparation and confident courtroom advocacy have resulted in numerous dismissals, reduced charges, and favorable outcomes for clients facing life-altering legal situations. Mr. Riva earned his undergraduate degree from California State University-Long Beach and his Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles in 1996. He began his career in California, where he gained valuable experience before founding his own firm in 2000. After relocating to the East Coast, he continued building his criminal defense practice in Massachusetts and Connecticut, including work with Hampden County Lawyers for Justice. In 2022, he moved to Missouri and joined Travis Noble.

Sydnie M. Boykins

Pataskala, OH

Attorney Sydnie Boykins joined the firm in 2023. Sydnie’s main area of practice is business law, with a focus on entity formation and dissolution, acquisitions, corporate agreements, intellectual property, and compliance. She also practices commercial real estate law. Prior to joining the office, she worked in the medical field, obtained experience with claim adjudication as a Legal Intern for the state of Ohio, and handled intellectual property and commercial law matters as a Legal Intern at PowerSchool Group LLC. In her free time, Sydnie enjoys spending time with her family, fiction writing, and traveling. She published her first novel, Uncliqueable, in 2018. Sydnie is the second lawyer in the third generation of lawyers at Hayes Law Offices.

Amy K. Trehey

Buffalo, MN

Amy Trehey is an Attorney with Johnson, Larson & Peterson P.A., practicing primarily in real property law, real estate transactions, estate planning, probate, and landlord-tenant law. She previously served as in-house counsel for a national commercial bank and worked for a Minneapolis-based law firm in Commercial Financial Services. Amy received her Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in 2018, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and her Bachelor's Degree from St. Cloud State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association.

Jaqueline Cortez Avila

McDonough, GA

As a first-generation Mexican American, Jackie brings more than just legal knowledge to the table-she brings lived experience. She understands the frustration of feeling overlooked, the fear of not being heard, and the weight of navigating complex systems that weren’t built with you in mind. That’s why she’s dedicated her career to giving a voice to the unheard and power to the overlooked. Jackie’s strength as an attorney comes from this deep connection to the communities she serves. She represents people-not case numbers-who are often facing powerful forces: the criminal justice system, insurance companies, or legal structures that can feel impersonal and overwhelming. With every client, she brings empathy born of experience, and determination rooted in a lifelong understanding of what it takes to overcome adversity. Her bilingual skills don’t just allow her to translate language-they allow her to build real trust across cultures, ensuring that Spanish-speaking clients aren’t just included in the process but truly understood and advocated for. Jackie also knows that representation matters. She became an attorney not just to practice law, but to help change the face of the legal profession-bringing greater diversity, compassion, and cultural awareness into spaces where they are often lacking. Clients who work with Jackie find a fierce advocate who listens intently, investigates thoroughly, and fights tirelessly for fairness and justice. If you want an attorney who sees you, who hears you, and who will stand up for you no matter the odds, Jackie Cortez Avila is someone you can trust to be in your corner.

Manuela Uribe López

Richmond, VA

Manuela Uribe López is an accomplished Of Counsel Colombian lawyer with six years of comprehensive experience in legal consulting, advisory services, and litigation, primarily focused on civil and labor law. Her strong academic foundation includes a Law degree from Universidad Libre (2018), where she achieved national recognition for top performance on the Saber Pro exit exam (2017). She further deepened her knowledge through postgraduate studies in Labor Law and Industrial Relations at the respected Universidad Externado (completed 2022). In her current capacity, she demonstrates leadership by heading the firm’s litigation department in Colombia, where she manages a substantial portfolio of over 100 ongoing civil and labor cases and supervises junior staff. Her litigation duties involve skillfully drafting and responding to demands, memorials, and other procedural documents. Concurrently, Ms. Uribe provides robust counsel in private law, with a significant focus on labor law. Her advisory work covers a broad spectrum, including drafting employment contracts, managing disciplinary processes, handling disability claims, overseeing payroll and termination procedures, structuring salary agreements, and responding to tutela actions and petitions. She is also entrusted by clients to develop and deliver targeted labor law training sessions and handles immigration law matters, specifically processing worker visas. Her practice scope extends to reviewing various civil and commercial contracts and developing projects related to habeas data compliance. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement and efficiency, Ms. Uribe actively explores and implements aspects of Legal Tech and Design Thinking within the firm’s operations. Her professional background is rounded out by prior experience providing nationwide litigation support at Protección Legal S.A.S. and offering independent labor law audits and advisory services. Ms. Uribe holds additional valuable credentials, including certification as a Conciliator in Law (2017), and has pursued further education in comparative criminal procedure (FIU, Miami, 2016), finance for lawyers and legal English (Universidad de Los Andes, 2019), and legal innovation (Universidad del Rosario, 2023). She possesses an advanced (C1) level of proficiency in English. Throughout her academic and professional journey, she has been recognized for her high level of achievement.

Catherine A. Peterson

Lake Worth, FL

Catherine Peterson practices in GFM’s Class Action Practice Group. Catherine is an experienced class action lawyer and has represented victims in a wide variety of consumer class actions. Prior to GFM, she practiced immigration law and served on the staffs of multiple U.S. Senators. She also has over 15 years of service in the Army National Guard.

Ernesto Usma

Hoover, AL

Ernesto Usma provides legal assistance for Abogados Centro Legal in a wide range of immigration matters. He is a licensed attorney in Colombia, where he practiced as a legal advisor for various government entities. He moved to the United States over 15 years ago to work with the Latino community before returning to Colombia. He holds a specialization in Digital Marketing and a Master's in Law. He is dedicated to helping immigrants achieve their dream of living legally in the United States, assisting with family petitions, immigration waivers, and naturalization.

Franeka Taylor

Shreveport, LA

Our dynamic newest attorney, Franeka Taylor brings fresh energy, exceptional credentials, and a competitive spirit to every case. Her experience in both civil and criminal law, combined with her competitive spirit demonstrated through numerous trial competitions, ensures your case gets innovative and dedicated representation.

Carlos Martinez, born in Brownsville, Texas, developed an interest in investigations during high school, winning a research contest in 1991. He worked as a traffic accident supervisor before earning his law degree from Universidad Valle del Bravo in 2001. Initially practicing commercial law in Mexico, he later returned to Texas, assisting U.S. law firms with investigations of vehicle accidents in Mexico involving U.S. residents. This experience led him to specialize in accident cases, helping thousands secure compensation. In 2008, he joined Mario Davila Law Firm as 'of counsel' and later became the firm's Director of Negotiations. He is a member of the U.S.-Mexico Bar Association and has served as an advisor to Mexico's Senate of the Republic, bringing extensive experience in accident investigation and insurance negotiations to protect clients' interests.

Daniel M. Gerken

Temple, TX

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Daniel arrives to us via New Jersey and New York, where he attended Fordham University School of Law. An evening student, Daniel is no stranger to a diverse set of legal matters. While enrolled in law school, Daniel worked as a paralegal and law clerk. The variety of matters he worked on ranged from corporate law matters to immigration to insurance defense litigation. In law school, Daniel focused on Business and Financial Law as well as Intellectual Property and Information Law. He followed his wife and daughter to Williamson County, Texas, during the pandemic. At that time, he worked remotely as an in-house paralegal coordinator for a telemedicine startup and a VP of Operations for an aspiring funding portal. Once he obtained his license to practice law in Texas, he turned his eye to local practice, initially volunteering his services to veterans and operating a solo practice, and then joining our firm. Prior to law school, Daniel was an ACT and SAT tutor on Long Island, an English teacher in South Korea, and a project manager for a digital publishing company. He has decades of experience working with clients in diverse contexts. Daniel strives to leverage his skills and knowledge to help individuals resolve complicated transactional matters, often involving property or family estates, as well as support the growth and success of small and midsize businesses. He forms and modifies entities, drafts and reviews contracts, assists in business negotiations and sales/purchases of real estate, coordinates transactions between businesses and financial institutions, and works on certain transactional matters involving the government. He is also a member of the Texas Bar College, an achievement recognizing his exceptional commitment to continuing legal education.

Mary Caitlin Henricks

Greensboro, NC

Mary Caitlin Henricks is a family law attorney focusing on child custody, child support, spousal support, property division, separation agreements, divorce litigation, and civil domestic violence. She graduated magna cum laude from Appalachian State University and attended Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.

Nikolaus S. Busch

Raymore, MO

Nik Busch joined Hensley Law Office in 2019 after graduating from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School in 2018. He previously worked in the UMKC Athletic Department for ten years. He is licensed in Missouri and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, and is a member of several bar associations.

Yuvanna M. Diaz

Oakland, CA

Yuvanna M. Diaz is a dedicated Workers’ Compensation Attorney committed to advocating for injured workers and ensuring they receive the maximum benefits possible. With a strong background in workers' compensation law, she provides knowledgeable and compassionate legal representation, guiding her clients through the complexities of the system with clarity and confidence. Fluent in Spanish and English, Yuvanna understands the importance of clear communication and personalized legal support. She is passionate about protecting the rights of injured workers and works tirelessly to secure the medical treatment and compensation they deserve. Yuvanna takes pride in her ability to navigate complex cases, advocate for her clients, and deliver results. Whether negotiating settlements or representing clients in court, she is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes. Her approach is client-focused, strategic, and results-driven, making her a trusted advocate for those facing challenges in the workers' compensation system.

Bradley Berg is a partner in the Firm’s Personal Injury Practice. Brad received his B.S. in Business Management (entrepreneurship) from Florida Atlantic University. He completed his J.D. at Nova Southeastern University.

Gabriela Picazo Batista is a fully bilingual Associate Immigration Attorney at Virguez Law. Born in Puerto Rico with Cuban and Dominican ancestry, she is passionate about serving the immigrant community and works vigorously to help those who are seeking immigration relief. Gabriela graduated summa cum laude from Georgia State University, with a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Sociology. During her undergraduate career, she received multiple awards and recognitions, such as the Student Government Associations Senator of the Year, MGC Woman of the Year, and Lucille Ausborn’s New Member of the Year. She subsequently graduated cum laude from Georgia State University College of Law, with an honors pro bono distinction. Her commitment to community and helping others earned her the Georgia State University Public Service Award. She participated in various programs such as the Landlord Mediation Clinic and the Alternative Spring Break program. Simultaneously, she was a full-time law clerk, where she focused her work on immigration, criminal defense, and family law. She also interned for the public defender’s office and a personal injury firm. Since graduating from law school, she has focused her career in immigration removal defense, humanitarian relief, and other immigration related matters. She also addresses legal matters related to family and criminal law. Gabriela continues her commitment to community and enjoys spending time with her family. She serves as a mentor for young women pursuing higher education, and actively participates in volunteer opportunities. She loves to spend quality time with her husband, her dog Killa, and cat Sir Waffles.

Matthew Gottlieb is a partner in the Firm’s Property Damage Practice. Matthew received a B.S. in Business Management, cum laude, from Bentley University. He completed his J.D. at Nova Southeastern University, graduating magna cum laude. Prior to joining Kanner & Pintaluga, Matthew practiced as a civil defense attorney protecting insurance companies related to first party insurance disputes, construction defect litigation, and personal injury claims.

Victoria C. Acosta is an attorney in the Firm’s Personal Injury Practice. Mrs. Acosta specializes in representing individuals injured in auto accidents. Before joining Kanner & Pintaluga, Victoria gained experience as an associate attorney at a well-respected injury firm in Texas. She has years of experience with auto accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, and premises liability claims. Mrs. Acosta graduated cum laude from the University of Texas at San Antonio and received a B.A. in English. She then attended St. Mary’s University School of Law. While in law school, Victoria was a Senior Associate Editor for the St. Mary’s Law Journal and also mentored first-year students.