English-Speaking Attorneys

Gabriela G. Raful

Philadelphia, PA

Gabriela Raful is a Senior Partner at Galfand Berger, LLP, representing clients in workers’ compensation, personal injury, products liability, and social security disability cases, with millions in client recoveries. She is a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine and included in the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers of Pennsylvania. A native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, she is fluent in Spanish and works with Hispanic clients. She is Past President of the Berks County Bar Association, the first racial minority, youngest, and first naturalized citizen in this role. She also serves as Chair of the BCBA’s Jury Diversity Committee and is a member of the Language Access Advisory Group for the United Judicial System of Pennsylvania. She was awarded the BCBA Presidential Award of Merit and the PBA Pro Bono Award for her extensive community and pro bono work.

Eric P. Escamilla

Fresno, CA

Eric P. Escamilla is an attorney practicing in Fresno, California, specializing in criminal defense, bankruptcy, immigration, and personal injury cases. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from California State University, Fresno with a BA in History and Economics in 1996, and earned his Juris Doctorate from San Joaquin College of Law in 1999. He is admitted to practice in all California State Courts and the Federal Courts of the Eastern and Central Districts of California. His firm is dedicated to "Standing Up For the Little Guy" and is known for its aggressive representation and ethical standards.

Tania Clark

Lakeland, FL

A car accident is a traumatic event that is life altering. In an instant, everything changes. Victims and their families suddenly have to figure out how to piece their lives back together, knowing it will never be the same. I come from a family who understands what this feels like. Their story inspired me from a young age to become a lawyer, so that I could bring new hope to others. And for nearly 20 years, I have fought for the rights of those who have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. My team and I focus on building relationships with our clients based on trust and compassion.

Frederick J. Salanitro

Bronx, NY

Frederick J. Salanitro has been an attorney with the Law Office of Mark B. Rubin, P.C. for over 32 years. He specializes in personal injury litigation, Real Estate, Wills, Trusts, and Estates, including Estate Planning. He has successfully handled hundreds of cases from inception through conclusion via litigation, mediation, or arbitration.

Kirk Gavin Ladner

Ridgeland, MS

Mr. Ladner lives in Jackson, Mississippi, with his wife and two children. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Mississippi. Upon graduation, Mr. Ladner served as judicial law clerk for the Circuit Court 7th District. After his clerkship, in 1996, Ladner began representing individuals that have been injured in the work place, through use of dangerous products or prescription drugs, or in highway accidents. He has practiced personal injury law ever since and appreciates the continued opportunities he has to assist clients in navigating the system and getting the results they need and deserve. Mr. Ladner is an experienced attorney and a compassionate person whose motivation is to serve his clients’ best interest. Each case is about more than an injury it’s about a person, a life, and a family and how they have been affected by that injury. Mr Ladner is an attorney who understands and cares about each and every one of his clients. The greatest reward in practicing law is when a client tells you “Thank you” and knowing that they know you truly cared about them and what was in their best interest. According to Mr. Ladner, “If I can look back at the case and think that my own grandmother would have thought justice was done, I know I did my job.”

Elliot S Schlissel

Lynbrook, NY

Elliot S. Schlissel has been practicing law for more than 31 years. He attended Hofstra University School of Law and SUNY at Buffalo Law School. He received a scholarship to study international protection of human rights at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. He is currently a member of the New York State, Nassau County, Queens County and Suffolk County Bar Associations, and served two terms as the President of the Commercial Lawyers Conference of New York, a regional bar association. He is listed in Martindale-Hubbell’s registry of pre-eminent lawyers.

David H. Blackwell

Manchester, CT

Attorney David H. Blackwell practices in residential and commercial real estate, criminal defense, collections, personal injury, workers’ compensation, subrogation, business and commercial law, landlord and tenant disputes, wills, and probate matters. He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1999 and has 13 years of private practice experience.

Melody Shekari

Marietta, GA

Melody brings her vast experience in civil and criminal law to advocate for her clients at The Auto Accident Attorneys Group. She has held board positions with the ACLU of Tennessee, American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee, and Chattanooga Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.

Tom Vertanous

Los Angeles, CA

Tom Vertanous is a first-generation Armenian-American attorney at Martinian Lawyers, specializing in catastrophic injury, trucking accidents, premises liability, civil rights, and wrongful death cases. He earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School and a B.S. in Political Science with a minor in Health Care administration from the University of Southern California. He was selected to the 2024 Southern California Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers.

William C. Herbert III

Lewiston, ME

Will began his career as a prosecuting attorney in Columbus, Ohio, directing criminal investigations and representing municipalities. Will transitioned to private practice in 2013 when he moved to Maine and began focusing on civil litigation, including personal injury, criminal defense, family, and general real estate litigation. In 2015, Will joined the personal injury practice of Hardy Wolf & Downing and now devotes his entire practice to trial work in the context of personal injuries, wrongful deaths, nursing home malpractice, industrial accidents, and sexual assaults. Will is also licensed to practice in New Hampshire. Will earned his Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and holds bachelor’s degrees in English and Political Science from The Ohio State University, which he earned with honors. In law school, Will served as a managing editor on Ohio State’s Criminal Law Journal, was an executive member of the Criminal Law Society, and received Ohio State’s Award for Excellence in Criminal Law. Since 2013, Will and his wife Jenna have lived in Androscoggin County, with their two boys Charlie and Jonah. Will is a bass player, drummer, and fitness enthusiast who enjoys litigating and trying cases about as much as all his other hobbies combined.

J. David Murrell

North Charleston, SC

J. David Murrell earned his J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law in 1997 and has been practicing personal injury law since 1998. He is a member of the South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates, the South Carolina Association for Justice, and the Charleston County Bar Association. He is also active in coaching youth sports and enjoys playing music.

Tyler R. Rossworn

Hauppauge, NY

Tyler joined the Firm in 2019. His practice areas include personal injury, criminal defense and general litigation. Tyler is a native of Long Island where he continues to reside today. He received his undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University prior to attending law school. After law school, Tyler worked as a law clerk for one of the most prestigious CJA-empaneled criminal defense attorneys in Southern California, advocating at the state and federal level on behalf of indigent international clientele. As one of the firm’s trial attorneys, Tyler handles all aspects of cases from inception to resolution. He has successfully represented clients in a wide array of personal injury cases including slip and fall, motor vehicle accidents, police brutality, and lawsuits against the City of New York. His practice areas include motor vehicle negligence, premises liability, medical malpractice and general negligence.

Connie Taylor Henderson

Vancouver, WA

Connie Taylor Henderson, a Pacific Northwest native, earned her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law. She is licensed in Idaho and Washington and focuses her practice on personal injury, medical negligence, and family law. She is also an instructor at the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College and the University of Idaho.

Heather Duhon Moore

New Iberia, LA

Heather Duhon Moore is an attorney licensed in Louisiana and Chitimacha tribal courts. She holds a psychology degree with a criminal justice minor from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a law degree from Southern University Law Center. Her practice focuses on family law, criminal law, and personal injury. She is an active member of several legal and community organizations and has received multiple awards, including graduating Magna Cum Laude and being recognized as a Daily Iberian's Top 20 under 40 Recipient.

Maen Elaiwat

Richardson, TX

Maen Elaiwat is an associate attorney at MAS Law and a licensed member of the Texas Bar Association. His passion for law is reflected in his wide range of specialties, including business disputes, contract formations, commercial litigation, and personal injury. A graduate of Baylor University School of Law, Maen realized the powerful impact a dedicated attorney can have on a person’s life when he sought legal counsel at a young age, and from that moment on, Maen’s path was determined: he would become a lawyer and use his career as a positive outlet to direct his desire to help others. While earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of Texas at Dallas, Maen attended the course Civil Rights Law and Society. Quickly, Maen realized that the professor of the class, Mr. Sean Modjarrad, was the very same attorney that helped him years ago and instilled in him the desire and passion to become a lawyer. The serendipity of it all was not lost on Maen. After completing the course, he began interning at Mr. Modjarrad’s law firm, MAS Law, where Maen’s tenacity and commitment to the legal profession were apparent. His exceptionalism was instantly recognized, and he became a paralegal, assisting attorneys and gaining valuable insight into what it takes to ensure clients see the justice they deserve. Seven years and a Juris Doctorate later, Maen is an indispensable part of the MAS Law team. His wide breadth of knowledge paired with his determination continues to leave an enduring mark on the lives of everyone he represents. “When our clients come to us with an issue ... it becomes a problem that needs to be solved, and the great thing about the legal profession is finding the right way to solve the problem; that’s what I thrive in.” When Maen isn’t at the office diligently fighting for his clients, he enjoys drawing, sand volleyball, soccer, and boxing.

Nazeh R. Abusaad

Richardson, TX

Nazeh Abusaad is a shareholder of MAS Law and is admitted to practice in the State of Texas. Mr. Abusaad earned his Juris Doctor from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University. He also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University. In his free time, Nazeh enjoys a nice afternoon on the golf course, and he has three sons.

Heather E. Bushor

Phoenix, AZ

Ms. Bushor is an Arizona native and second generation Arizona attorney. She joined Shapiro Law Team in February 2019. Prior to joining Shapiro Law Team, Ms. Bushor spent a decade working as an insurance defense attorney for the largest insurance defense firm in Arizona. In that time, she learned the tricks and tactics of the defense side and uses that knowledge to help advocate for personal injury victims. In her free time, Ms. Bushor spends time with her family which includes merely surviving in a home with 5 kids (3 of which are teenagers). Ms. Bushor is an avid hiker and recently completed Rim to Rim at the Grand Canyon. She also enjoys wine-tasting (see reference to 5 kids above) and golf.

Norman J. Homen

Garden Grove, CA

Norman J. Homen is an attorney practicing general civil law in Garden Grove, California. He has served in the State of California since 1988, focusing on Social Security Disability, Workers’ Compensation Law, Criminal Law, Personal Injury, and Employment Law. With over 30 years of experience, his firm is dedicated to representing the injured and disabled across Southern California.

Harvey J. Kulawitz, Esq.

Ridgefield, CT

Harvey J. Kulawitz, Esq. is an experienced personal injury attorney with over 30 years of practice, having successfully handled more than 3,000 cases. He is dedicated to seeking justice and compensation for accident victims in Ridgefield and throughout Western Connecticut. He oversees every aspect of a case, from initial meeting to final result, and utilizes expert witnesses, medical experts, accident reconstruction engineers, and forensic specialists to represent his clients.

Samuel R. Troy

Boca Raton, FL

Samuel R. Troy founded Troy Legal, P.A. in 2009, focusing almost exclusively on Marital and Family Law in South Florida. His practice encompasses complex cases for affluent clients, professionals, entertainers, and athletes, as well as individuals needing high-quality legal representation. He handles divorce, pre/post-nuptial agreements, adoption, domestic violence, QDROs, child support, alimony, and parenting plans. Mr. Troy is a Certified Collaborative Lawyer and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator.

Benjamin M. Del Vento, Jr.

Livingston, NJ

Benjamin M. Del Vento, Jr. is an experienced plaintiff's personal injury lawyer who joined the family firm in 1999. He is a New Jersey Supreme Court Certified Civil Trial Attorney. He began his career in 1994 as a law clerk and then served as an Assistant Essex County Prosecutor. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York, United States Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Hilda Ramirez-Gainza Esq.

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Born and raised in South Florida, Hilda specializes in personal injury cases and works tirelessly pursuing the justice and compensation her clients deserve. The time, dedication, and personal attention she provides to her personal injury clients is proven in the substantial settlements she has achieved for her clients. After several years working for a larger attorney firm, Hilda and her husband, Juan, opened Gainza Law to provide their clients with a smaller boutique-style and personalized approach. It is important to Hilda that her clients feel connected with the ability to speak to her about their case at any time. Therefore, she provides her personal cell phone to all clients with a guarantee that you will receive the dedicated legal representation you deserve. Fluent in both English and Spanish, her excellent research and writing skills enable her to analyze and articulate complex legal issues clearly, concisely and decisively.

Sam A. Maida, Jr.

Houston, TX

Sam A. Maida, Jr. is the owner and the managing attorney of the Maida Law Firm and has been practicing law since 1993. He has been successfully representing victims of personal injury matters, such as 18 wheeler and auto accidents, and has obtained numerous multi-million dollar recoveries for his clients throughout Texas and other states. He has been recognized as “A Top Texas Attorney” with an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

Born and raised in South Dakota, Geoff earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from South Dakota State University before moving to Milwaukee to obtain his Juris Doctorate Degree from Marquette University Law School. Since graduating from law school, Geoff has dedicated his entire legal career to helping clients who were wrongfully injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. In advocating for his clients, Geoff draws from the work ethic instilled upon him while growing up in rural South Dakota, his competitiveness and doggedness from his time as a college linebacker, and his legal acumen and skills developed from over two decades as an accomplished trial lawyer. As an experienced trial lawyer, Geoff has successfully tried dozens of cases to verdict in courthouses throughout the state of Wisconsin. In his career, Geoff has filed and resolved hundreds of lawsuits on behalf of his clients. In total, he has obtained tens of millions of dollars in settlement funds, including multiple million-dollar-plus settlements and jury verdicts, on behalf of over 4,500 clients throughout his career.