English-Speaking Attorneys

Sevana Nourian

Santa Monica, CA

Sevana Nourian is an associate attorney at Mesriani Law Group, focusing on employment and labor law disputes. She is a passionate advocate for her clients, many of whom have faced discrimination and harassment. She has experience in civil litigation, contract causes of action, employment discrimination, labor law violations, and legal ethics. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and her law degree from California Western School of Law.

Ali Sadrarhami graduated with Honors from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy. He attended Loyola Law School on a Merit-Based Scholarship, receiving Honors in Trial Advocacy. He joined Kazerouni Law Group, APC as a law clerk and became an Associate Attorney in 2017. He is fluent in Farsi and proficient in French.

Jordan N. Hutchins

Temple, TX

Jordan was born and raised in Arizona, with family roots in central Texas. She grew up visiting Rockdale and Temple, Texas. After starting their family, Jordan and her husband relocated to Temple, Texas to be closer to family while raising their young children. Jordan received her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Northern Arizona University in 2017. In 2021, she received her Juris Doctorate from Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law in Knoxville, Tennessee. While in law school, Jordan took an interest in domestic relations and was excited to begin her career at the firm in the family law department in 2022. Jordan is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Bell County Bar Association, and the Bell County Young Lawyer’s Association. She handles family law matters, including divorce, custody issues, adoptions, and prenuptial/postnuptial agreements. Kind, ethical, and friendly representation are of the utmost importance to her. In her free time, Jordan can be found with her husband, Brian, or playing with their two children. She loves to visit local parks and restaurants, take walks with their Newfoundland dog, or curl up with one of her cats.

Ricardo Saucedo joined KLS Law in 2023 as a personal injury paralegal, handling pre-litigation and litigation matters. He manages day-to-day case responsibilities, including opening claims with insurance companies, assisting with property damage, asserting policy limits, guiding clients through treatment, and maintaining constant communication. Ricardo is a certified lawyer in Bolivia, having earned his law degree from Universidad Privada de Santa Cruz. He is fluent in both Spanish and English.

Michelle Dor is a skilled litigation attorney at LA Century Law, representing injured clients in personal injury and tenant rights litigation. She is fluent in English and Russian and earned her Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School.

Growing up in Luling, which was once known as the “toughest town in Texas,” Ryan has spent some time in the “oil field.” Ryan attended Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, and South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas, where he was on the Dean’s List. Ryan’s practice is devoted to helping people who have been killed or injured as a result of the negligence of others. Ryan has successfully handled all manner of cases from cases on principle, to multi-million-dollar cases, and everything in between. Among other awards, Ryan was selected as a “Rising Star” for several consecutive years, a “Top Professional on the Fast Track,” by H-Magazine, and is a member of The Million Dollar Advocates and Multi-million Dollar Advocates

William Vásquez is a native of Queens, NY. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 2000-2007 as a Spanish linguist for the Defense Intelligence Agency. He graduated from Campbell University in 2007 with a degree in computer science and earned his J.D. in 2011 from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. His practice areas include immigration law and criminal defense cases. He is licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of North Carolina and a member of the American Immigration Lawyer Association (AILA).

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.