English-Speaking Attorneys

John Edmond Westfield

St. Augustine, FL

John graduated from Flagler College with a BA in business administration in 2005. He worked as a licensed commodities broker before earning his M.B.A from the University of North Florida in 2008. During his time at UNF, John served as an assistant to the economics department and became a certified associate in project management. John owned and operated successful wholesale businesses before enrolling at Florida Coastal School of Law in 2013 as a member of the school’s inaugural Fastrack Program. John earned his J.D. in just over two years, graduating in the top 10% of his class. John has interned and volunteered regularly with Saint Johns County Legal Aid. He has also served as a volunteer assistant state attorney in St. Johns and Flagler counties before accepting a position with Canan Law in 2016.

Nathan C. Stein

Richmond, VA

Nathan C. Stein is an international lawyer who helps individuals, families, and businesses Handling the complexities of planning their lives and operations across borders. His practice is centered on international estate and wealth planning, family law, corporate law for small businesses and nonprofits, and advising on legal frameworks for corporate sustainability and resilience. Nathan is known for his ability to distill complex legal concepts into clear, understandable advice, ensuring his clients are empowered to make informed decisions. He takes a proactive, long-term view, working to predict and prevent legal issues before they arise. This client-first approach, combining rigorous analysis with a dedication to his clients’ goals, has earned him the respect of clients and colleagues alike. Nathan’s perspective is shaped by a unique blend of academic achievement and hands-on experience. He is a candidate for a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Global Business Law from Columbia Law School, holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from New York University School of Law, and graduated cum laude with a degree in Economics from the University of Florida. His professional background is equally diverse, including founding a non-profit organization, serving as chief of staff for a family office, and owning a research corporation. He has also published numerous articles and contributed to a textbook on international law. Nathan has worked in multiple jurisdictions on a wide range of cross-border legal matters. His background includes litigation, mediation, and arbitration, giving him a valuable perspective on dispute resolution and prevention. He finds professional fulfillment in guiding clients toward their goals. In addition to his native English, Nathan speaks Spanish, French, Portuguese, and several other languages, helping him connect with clients and partners around the world. Admitted to practice in New York. Areas of Focus Estate, Wealth & Family Planning • Family Law • Wills, Trusts & Estates • Wealth & Succession Planning • Health Care Directives & Powers of Attorney • Family Offices • Pre-Immigration & Retirement Planning Corporate & Commercial Law • Corporate Law for Businesses & Nonprofits • Contract Drafting, Negotiation & Enforcement • Partnerships & LLCs • Employment Law Cross-Border & Dedicated Matters • Foreign Investment • Corporate Sustainability & Resilience Compliance • International Human Rights Law • Civil Rights & Immigration

Diana Novo

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL

Diana Novo, born and raised in Miami, Florida, is fluent in Spanish and dedicated to serving her community. She specializes in Defense Base Act claims, leveraging her litigation expertise to secure benefits and compensation for injured clients. She earned her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University and a degree in Political Science and International Relations from Florida International University.

Anchorage personal injury attorney Claire Crowson is deeply committed to using her legal education and experience to help level the playing field between insurance companies and injured Alaskans. Claire is a Swiss American citizen who is fluent in French, German, Italian and English. She graduated from St. Lawrence University and leveraged her language skills for the US Army prior to going back to school to get a master’s degree in business. Although Claire was happy using her languages and business experience for large, multinational companies, her desire to help ensure that everyone receives fair and equal treatment led her to pursue a law degree and to focus on serving injured Alaskans. Claire has been part of Crowson Law Group for over 20 years and has helped with all facets of the business. In her free time, Claire enjoys spending time with her family, running on the Anchorage trails, and playing with her English Bulldog, Jack.

Michelle Moran is an experienced Immigration Attorney and Family Law Attorney. Her addition to the firm has enabled McGuire Peláez Bennett & Belcastro, P.C. to expand its legal services to include immigration law. Ms. Moran brings extensive experience in immigration law and family court matters. Before joining the firm, she worked at the Law Office of Alexandra Mayen Rivera, P.C. in Huntington, where she handled hundreds of immigration cases, including representation in New York State family courts, handling custody and guardianship petitions with Special Findings Motions for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, as well as removal defense work within the New York Immigration Courts. In addition to her expertise in Immigration Law, Ms. Moran also practices in Family Court handling cases pertaining to custody, visitation, child support, Orders of Protection and Neglect and Abuse Cases. Earlier in her career, Ms. Moran served as a Legal Clerk with the Law Offices of Jacob Aronauerin New York City, conducting legal research and drafting memoranda on the Fair Labor Standards Act, New York Labor Law, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She is admitted to the New York State Bar and is certified as a New York State Electronic Notary. Ms. Moran has also been actively involved with many community organizations, including minority rights groups, Outlaw, Make the Road New York, and the Safe Passage Project. While attending law school, she volunteered at the Hofstra Law Immigration Clinic and the Asylum Clinic while completing multiple legal internships.

Sonia Randazzo is a qualified Italian Lawyer specializing in Immigration Law. She practices in both contentious and non-contentious matters, providing advice on human rights, asylum law, citizenship rights, and mobility for European and non-European citizens in Italy. She gained significant experience working with immigration law firms and organizations. Sonia is a member of ASGI and CLEDU. She speaks Italian and English.

Federico A. Dumenigo, Esq.

Miami, FL

Mr. Dumenigo is a transactional and civil trial attorney whose practice includes advising domestic and international clients on the acquisition and sale of commercial real estate, complex transactional law, healthcare law, commercial and residential property insurance claims, and community association law. Mr. Dumenigo has considerable experience in the hospitality industry, representing large-scale international clients in connection with services agreements, and in the healthcare industry, representing physicians and healthcare facilities with joint ventures and compliance.

Maria Merman

Chicago, IL

Maria was born in Moscow, Russia and moved with her parents to Chicago at the age of fourteen. As a first-generation immigrant, Maria learned first-hand the value of hard work in order to excel and achieve her dream of becoming an attorney. She brings the same work ethic to the courtroom, tirelessly advocating for her clients. Being fluent in Russian, Maria understands the challenge that some non-native English-speaking clients face when trying to navigate their legal rights. Maria’s goal is to ensure that all individuals, injured due to no fault of their own, are treated fairly and not taken advantage of by insurance companies.

Devon Puriefoy's practice focuses on complex civil litigation with an emphasis on business and construction disputes. He regularly handles matters, representing both plaintiffs and defendants, at the state, federal, and appellate level. In addition to his extensive litigation experience, Mr. Puriefoy regularly advises both international and domestic businesses of all sizes on issues relating to structuring, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions in South Carolina and beyond, including Hawaii, New York, Ohio, Texas, Puerto Rico, Germany, India, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia. He is admitted to practice law before the South Carolina State Court, District of South Carolina, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. In 2018, Mr. Puriefoy was honored to be named Best & Brightest 35 and under by Greenville Business Magazine for his commitment to the legal community. Although a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mr. Puriefoy grew up in the small town of Abingdon, Virginia, located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He received his undergraduate degree from King University, located in beautiful Bristol, Tennessee and earned his J.D. from Charleston School of Law in 2014, where he served as Student Works Editor of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Law Journal. Mr. Puriefoy began working with the law offices of Truluck Thomason, LLC in October 2014. Mr. Puriefoy also regularly participates in pro bono and other civic projects and is currently a member of the Greenville County Bar Associations, the SC Bar Association, and the Greenville Kiwanis Club. Mr. Puriefoy is happily married to his wife and best friend Larissa who he shares three beautiful children with, Sonny, Roman, and Henna.

Jorge A. Calil

Hollywood, FL

Jorge A. Calil is a Senior Trial Attorney at Barzakay Law Firm with over 20 years of litigation experience in personal injury, insurance disputes, civil rights, and complex tort cases. Fluent in English and Spanish, he is recognized for his courtroom strength, strategic thinking, and successful track record in securing verdicts and settlements for his clients.

Layla Benjamin

Dallas, TX

Layla Benjamin is a native Texan who graduated from Texas A&M University School of Law. She represents injured individuals in claims against insurance companies and has successfully helped hundreds of people. Layla is active in her community and enjoys traveling.

Massimo Guffanti is the Head of Corporate and Commercial at The Italian Lawyer in London, providing expert counsel in Italian and cross-border transactions. Registered with the Bar of Milan since March 1999, he offers strategic guidance in contract negotiation, corporate structuring, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution. He has over two decades of experience, including leading legal departments at major corporations, and specializes in M&A, Real Estate, and Energy Law. He is fluent in Italian, English, and French.

Kenneth Leong, Esq.

Pasadena, CA

Kenneth Leong brings an exceptional blend of legal expertise and engineering precision to the Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates. With a career spanning both complex litigation and high-level technical leadership in aerospace and defense, Kenneth delivers unmatched insight and strategy to every case he handles. Kenneth holds a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws in Intellectual Property, along with degrees in Electrical Engineering and Systems Engineering. He has represented clients in family law matters ranging from divorce and custody to conservatorships and restraining orders, while also advising on intellectual property strategy and trademark protections. Known for his analytical rigor and meticulous attention to detail, Kenneth has a proven ability to simplify complexity-whether it’s navigating a sensitive family law issue or dissecting a technical trademark dispute. Prior to his legal practice, Kenneth held leadership roles in engineering management where he oversaw major defense projects and held high-level security clearances. Today, he brings that same level of discipline, integrity, and problem-solving to serve clients with focus and care. At the Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates, Kenneth is a cornerstone of our legal team-dedicated, driven, and always thinking several steps ahead.

Maegan J. Savarise

Columbus, OH

Maegan J. Savarise is an Associate Attorney specializing in criminal defense, traffic/OVI, and family law. She gained experience at the Ohio Public Defender’s Office and private law firms, and is a Teen Court Hearing Officer in Franklin County.

Barbara Faustin

Boca Raton, FL

Barbara Faustin was born in Haiti and speaks fluent French and Creole. She graduated with a Diploma of Vocational Studies from Christ the King Secretarial School and attended the “Faculte de Droit” (law vocational school) in Haiti. She worked for 6 years in logistics and procurement at CARE International in Haiti. In 2000, she moved to Florida and began working with Gary Drucker, now serving as a senior paralegal at Drucker Law Offices. She handles all litigation matters with Gary and assists with case closing, including collateral source and medical bill issues. Barbara is dedicated to serving all clients, especially those from the Haitian community. She is married with two children and resides in Coral Springs.

Cheyenne Nicole Younger

Lawrenceburg, IN

Cheyenne Nicole Younger is a criminal defense attorney at Pillar Law Group, admitted to the Ohio Bar in October 2021 and the Indiana Bar in November 2021. She graduated from Bellarmine University and Salmon P. Chase College of Law. She is known for her individualized attention to clients and her skill in jury trials, bench trials, hearings, and plea negotiations. Cheyenne is also an executive board member for 1Voice and is active in her community.

Jason R. Smith

Monroe, LA

Jason R. Smith is an attorney specializing in insurance law, commercial litigation, and banking law, with a focus on property insurance claims and coverage disputes. He represents clients in state and federal courts across Louisiana. Jason has authored articles on Louisiana property insurance law and has extensive experience representing creditors in collection matters. He is known for his practical, results-driven approach.

Kevin Rajabalee

Lake Worth, FL

Kevin Rajabalee is an attorney who fights for consumers, giving a voice to those whose rights are challenged by corporations. His personal experience with credit issues fuels his passion for his work. He is dedicated to achieving the right results for his clients.

Zachary J. Strom

Seattle, WA

Zachary J. Strom is an associate attorney at PWRFL, joining in September 2023. He graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2015 and earned his J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law in 2018. His legal career includes clerkships for the Washington State Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the Western District.

Jack P. Gates

Catonsville, MD

Jack P. Gates is an Associate Attorney at the Law Office of Kevin L. Beard, P.A. He received his J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in 2013. His practice areas include Family Law, Wills, and Land Use/Zoning. He is a member of the Maryland Bar Association and Howard County Bar Association.

Jorge Geraige

Coral Gables, FL

Jorge Antonio Geraige Gonzalez joined the Remer, Georges-Pierre & Hoogerwoerd firm in 2023 as a Litigation Coordinator. Mr. Geraige obtained his Law Degree in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2000, where he worked for 5 years in a firm specializing in labor law. Mr. Geraige maintains his active status as an attorney enrolled at the C.P.A.C.F. Public Bar Association of Capital Federal, Buenos Aires. In 2006, Mr. Geraige relocated to Chile, where he served as Director, Partner and Legal Representative for several corporate entities over a period of 15 years. In 2014, Mr. Geraige founded J.G. Turismo, a successful real estate and tourist agency that connects multinational investors and travelers. Mr. Geraige was born in Valparaiso, Chile, and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He speaks Spanish, English and Italian.

Nurlan Makenov

Charlotte, NC

Nurlan Makenov is a senior paralegal in the Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation Departments of the Firm. Mr. Makenov assists our attorneys with the investigation of new claims, coordination of client’s medical treatment, and the preparation of lawsuits and claims. Mr. Makenov obtained his Law Degree in 1999 from the National Law University in Kazakhstan. He specialized in civil and commercial litigation for 16 years in Kazakhstan before he moved to USA in 2018. During that time, he successfully represented clients in lawsuits against insurance companies, financial institutions, and government agencies. He is licensed to practice law in Kazakhstan only. He is not licensed in NC or SC. He is fluent in English, Russian and Kazakh, which is essential in helping our foreign national clients.

Jonathon Paul Coomes

Owensboro, KY

Jonathon Paul Coomes is an attorney focusing on criminal defense, landlord/tenant, protective orders, and civil litigation. He earned his J.D. from Northern Kentucky University, Salmon P. Chase College of Law and a B.A. in History from the University of Kentucky in 2005. He was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 2010.

Jimmy De La Espriella of DLE Lawyers actively litigates cases involving catastrophic injuries and cases involving wrongful death on behalf of the victims and their families. These cases include vehicular collisions, civil liability for defective products, medical negligence, abuse and neglect in nursing homes, catastrophic heavy vehicle accidents, negligence of manufacturing industries, insurance claims, premises liability, slips or falls, drowning victims, air accidents, burn victims, among others. The representation of individuals injured by medical negligence, malpractice or defective products is one of the most challenging and rewarding specialties in the practice of law. This passion manifests itself in the dedication we give to our clients and their cases.