French-Speaking Attorneys

Philippa Ratzki

New York, NY

Philippa Ratzki is the Managing Attorney at Douglas & London, specializing in case management, resolution development, and client services for complex products liability and environmental contamination litigation. She has been instrumental in securing over $15 billion in settlements for municipal water providers. Ms. Ratzki graduated from NYU with a B.A. and M.A., and cum laude from Brooklyn Law School with a J.D., where she was Editor of the Law Review.

H. Hurst Coffman

Wichita, KS

H. Hurst Coffman grew up in Ottawa, Kansas. He graduated from Ottawa public schools and received a B.A. degree in English Literature in 1969 from Ottawa University. Following college he taught English as a foreign language at a school in Japan for one year. Returning to the U.S. for law school in 1970 at the Washington College of Law at the American University in Washington, D.C., he received his J.D. degree in 1974. Hurst has fond memories of leaving Washington the same day as Richard Nixon in August, 1974. Hurst returned to Kansas where he became affiliated with the firm of Schroeder, Heeney, Groff and Hiebert in July, 1976, as a tax and estate planning attorney. Through the years, the firm evolved into Coffman, DeFries and Nothern, and in 2021, Hurst joined Morris, Laing, Evans, Brock & Kennedy, Chartered. Hurst practices in the areas of Trust and Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Elder Law, and Estate and Gift Tax Planning. He still represents some of the clients and their families that he worked with from the beginning of his practice. In addition to the law practice, Hurst is an active farmer owning and co-managing with one of his sisters a cow-calf operation at a fifth generation farm in Douglas County southwest of Lawrence. The family and the neighbors are interested in preserving several hundred acres of “pre-settlement forest” which has mostly disappeared from the area due to development and farming. Hurst also has studied piano and organ for many years and enjoys playing church services on pipe organs in various churches in Topeka. He is the music director and organist at Grace Episcopal Church in Ottawa and accompanist at Temple Beth Sholom in Topeka. In addition to the organ, Hurst is an avid opera fan attending live performances in any place he can. Studying languages has been a lifelong hobby, starting with Latin in seventh grade. Hurst has studied French, Japanese, Italian and most recently Hebrew.

R. Craig Miller Jr.

Charlotte, NC

Wills, trusts, estate planning and estate administrations are very important. Clients procrastinate, prolong and sometimes avoid these decisions because they relate to end of life. If you want to grow your assets, minimize your death taxes, appoint the fiduciaries of your choice and maximize the transfer of assets to your family and other beneficiaries, you have to spend the time and consider the options carefully. I’ve been proud to serve these practice areas along with business law since I began my general practice in 1975. I additionally confer with our French-speaking clients and translate documents for the immigration division. It’s my nature to serve my clients and to keep their legal affairs in order in a way that’s most convenient for them. Keeping you satisfied is the reason I am here.

Rudy Pacheco

Santa Ana, CA

Rudy Pacheco is a trial attorney devoted to representing people who would not otherwise be able to have their day in court. Since the inception of his legal career, he has represented people victimized by big insurance companies and corporations in personal injury matters, including victims of reckless drivers, defective-dangerous products, vicious animals, and medical malpractice. Rudy takes great personal pride in giving voice to those who cannot defend themselves. He secured a high-value settlement on behalf a 2-year-old who was injured by a defective product and lost part of her left index finger. In another case, a toddler was severely burnt by a defective furnace, and Rudy helped his young client by uncovering the fact that the defendant destroyed evidence. He also helped the family of a 28-year-old man who died due to an opioid overdose negligently administered by hospital staff. A native Spanish speaker (but also conversant in French and Italian), Rudy is able to connect with people who speak little or no English. He has trial experience in the Counties of Orange, San Diego, and San Francisco. Prior to his legal career, Rudy was an interpreter in Orange County and taught Spanish at California State University Long Beach. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Whittier Law School and was admitted to the California State Bar in 2014.

Victor Demesmin Jr.

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Victor Demesmin Jr. is the Founding Partner of Demesmin & Dover Law Firm and the Chief Business Officer at ALL-IN Management Group. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Victor excelled in both basketball and football at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. He pursued higher education at the University of Central Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, complemented by a minor in Legal Studies. In 2015, Victor furthered his academic achievements by receiving his Juris Doctorate and Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center. As a dynamic leader, Victor has significantly expanded Demesmin & Dover Law Firm, transforming it from a modest practice with 2 employees into one of South Florida’s largest law firms, employing almost 100 staff members in less than four years. His leadership has been instrumental in the firm’s rapid growth and its reputation for excellence. Victor is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion within the legal profession and is committed to empowering his community. His advocacy for social justice and equity extends beyond his legal practice, reflecting his broader commitment to making a positive impact. As a proud Haitian American, he actively engages with the South Florida community and leverages his bilingual skills-fluent in Creole and conversational in French-to connect with a diverse range of individuals and organizations. In addition to his professional endeavors, Victor is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and dedicates his personal time to family and personal interests. He is a devoted husband and father of three, balancing his career with his passion for playing basketball, training in jiu-jitsu, and watching football and mixed martial arts. He also enjoys traveling with his family, exploring new cultures and experiences.

Rohit Dharwadkar

Pittsburgh, PA

Rohit Dharwadkar concentrates his practice on all aspects of immigration law, ranging from family and employment-related matters to asylum, naturalization, and citizenship matters, with an emphasis on business immigration, including H-1B visas and labor certifications.

John M. Hafen

Montrose, CO

Mr. Hafen helps individuals and businesses pursue and defend against civil claims in state and federal courts and before arbitration tribunals. Mr. Hafen has handled a diverse range of complex commercial litigation with a primary emphasis on business, non-compete, trade secret and estate litigation. Mr. Hafen also advises business clients ranging in size from startups to established mid-sized businesses. Mr. Hafen helps businesses assess risks, protect assets and leverage legal strategies to achieve business objectives.

Karl P. Voigt IV

Bechtelsville, PA

Karl P. Voigt IV graduated with honors from Gettysburg College in 1987 and from Franklin Pierce Law Center in 1990. He has been practicing exclusively in workers’ compensation with Prince Law Offices since 1990, serving injured workers in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. Karl has hosted 'Ask-A-Lawyer' on BerksTV and spoken before various public groups. He edits the office’s newsletter, WCLC Update, and was Chair of the Berks County Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section in 2000 and 2004. He lives in Northern Berks County and enjoys road and mountain cycling.

Mr. Towe is BV® Distinguished Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® for his professionalism and ethics. His practice areas include civil litigation, farm law, ranch law, class actions, taxation law, estate planning law, Indian law, covenants not to compete, employment class actions, employment law, equal employment opportunity law, and intellectual property.

Jose M. Padilla

The Woodlands, TX

José has been practicing law since 2000 with a focus on corporate transactions, healthcare, and venture capital. He has expertise in healthcare transactions and regulations, and previously worked as general counsel for a physician-owned healthcare system and an international gaming company. He teaches health law for NYU’s Masters of Public Health program and speaks several foreign languages.

Michael Charles Peckham is a seasoned attorney with over 15 years of experience specializing in personal injury law. As a Partner at Kibbey Wagner, Michael is committed to securing the best possible outcomes for his clients and advocating tirelessly for those injured due to the negligence of others. Licensed to practice law in Florida, Michael has built a reputation for his deep knowledge of personal injury law and his unwavering dedication to his clients’ needs. Throughout his career, he has successfully represented clients in a wide range of personal injury cases, including automobile accidents, trucking and motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, animal attacks, and wrongful death actions. Born and raised in Newport, R.I., Michael graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Rhode Island with bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and French. He then went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law. Outside of the office, Michael is a physical fitness enthusiast and an avid traveler and hiker who enjoys exploring new destinations around the world. His love of travel allows him to recharge and gain fresh perspectives, both personally and professionally. He has lived abroad and studied in the South of France, and he has traveled extensively though the United States, Europe, and Africa.

Sean Xing

Charleston, WV

Sean Xing graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012 with dual degrees in Biology and French and a minor in Sustainability Studies. He biked across the country in 2010 to raise money for affordable housing. After teaching high school mathematics and interning with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Sean attended the WVU College of Law, graduating in 2018. He is trilingual, speaking fluently in Mandarin Chinese and French.

John helps individuals and businesses pursue and defend against civil claims in state and federal courts and before arbitration tribunals. He has handled a diverse range of complex commercial litigation with a primary emphasis on business, non-compete, trade secret and estate litigation. John also advises business clients ranging in size from startups to established mid-sized businesses and helps businesses assess risks, protect assets and leverage legal strategies to achieve business objectives.

Antony Jennings

Antony is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives with over 20 years’ experience in personal injury and civil litigation, including serious injury, road traffic, and workplace accident claims. Fluent in French and Spanish, he is recognised for his pragmatic approach and commitment to securing justice for clients facing life-changing circumstances.

Jeremy Kasha

Ridgefield Park, NJ

Jeremy R. Kasha is Counsel at Seeger Weiss, with over two decades of experience in antitrust enforcement and complex litigation. He previously served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the New York Attorney General’s Antitrust Bureau. He is trilingual in English, French, and Spanish.

Alexandra Wagner

Houston, TX

Alexandra Wagner is an attorney who has dedicated her career to advocating for injured individuals and public agencies against corporate misconduct. She began her career at Ness Motley (now Motley Rice and Rogers Patrick), contributing to the successful $200+ billion payout from Big Tobacco. She specializes in briefing and motions practice, working with law firms nationwide on cases involving defective product design and manufacture, defective building construction, pharmaceutical price-gouging, employee mistreatment, and other corporate misconduct. She is based in Dallas, has raised four children, and is involved in local public education and community life. She speaks fluent German, some Spanish, and a tiny bit of Russian and French.

Nell Hoffman Bonaparte

Portland, OR

Nell Hoffman Bonaparte is a partner specializing in estate planning, copyright and trademark litigation, and complex commercial litigation. She received special training in estate planning at Willamette Law School. She was a member of the Editorial Board of the Virginia Law Review and a former associate at Hogan & Hartson. She was on the founding Board of the Oregon Women Lawyers and served as a special prosecutor for Multnomah County. She is conversationally fluent in French.

Jean B. Ménager

Lawrence, KS

Jean has experience serving individuals and businesses in a number of industries including healthcare, legal services, staffing, restaurant/hospitality, media & entertainment, logistics, higher education, and finance technology. His previous litigation experience helps him bring a unique approach to problem solving. He handles a wide variety of matters including entity formation, corporate and LLC governance, services agreements, commercial leasing, business acquisitions, and compliance with employment laws. Jean has served in numerous leadership roles including with the Johnson County Bar, the KBA, the LAKC-YLS, and with the Earl E. O’Connor American Inn of Court. He is also a member of various professional associations and serves on the Kansas CLE Board. In addition to English, Jean also speaks French and Haitian Creole.

Robert J. Link

Jacksonville, FL

Bob Link has been with The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic since 1990 and has been lead attorney on hundreds of cases. His jury trials include verdicts of $8 million, $10 million and $13 million. He also personally appeared before the United States Supreme Court, where he was victorious. through the use of DNA evidence he was able to secure the freedom of a man who had been wrongly sentenced to life in prison. He is the author of the book "Cross-Examination and Impeachment," Criminal Trial Practice in Florida, The Florida Bar, 1984. Bob is an AV-rated attorney whose extensive experience not only includes his work on plaintiff's cases but on numerous appeals as well. Bob has also worked in insurance defense, so he understands both sides of the case and can bring that unique perspective to his clients today. Bob also worked in criminal defense, and through the use of DNA evidence he was able to secure the freedom of a man who had been wrongly sentenced to life in prison. He is the author of the book "Cross-Examination and Impeachment," Criminal Trial Practice in Florida, The Florida Bar, 1984.

Sabrina E. Taub is a trilingual litigation attorney fluent in Spanish and French. She graduated Cum Laude from Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Arts and obtained her Juris Doctor from Hofstra University in 2003. Her career began in construction and worksite accidents litigation, later moving to medical malpractice. She has recovered millions for injured clients and is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association and New York State Trial Lawyers Association.

Linda M. Coronato

Saddle Brook, NJ

Linda M. Coronato has over 27 years of experience in the legal field and is not afraid to fight for the rights of her clients. As a member of the New Jersey and New York Bars, she has handled cases involving child custody, Domestic Violence alimony, adoption, pre-nuptial agreements, as well as many other matters of family law. Her lengthy experience includes the ability to resolve difficult cases and arrive at settlement without the time and expense of continued litigation. Ms. Coronato has worked with several prestigious firms in family law and has appeared before the New Jersey Supreme Court. Ms. Coronato is fluent in English, Italian, Spanish and French, enabling her to ease communication frustrations for those clients whose native tongue is not English. With her years of experience as a New Jersey divorce lawyer, she has become a strong advocate for her clients when they are going through the trauma of a divorce or child custody battle. She is a staunch defender of victims of domestic abuse and won’t back down from challenging cases. Linda truly cares about each client she represents. Ms. Coronato knows the right questions to ask to develop a course of action to navigate her clients through their legal issues. She carefully listens to her clients. Then she gives straightforward honest advice. Ms. Coronato spends time educating her clients about the law, so they can make the right decisions. Also, one of Linda’s strongest qualities is her ability to relate to her clients. She learns all the details of each of her cases to insure each client the best representation possible. Ms. Coronato makes it a priority to understand her clients’ perspectives and effectively advocates their positions. Linda truly cares about her clients and they know it. Linda is an experienced NJ divorce attorney handling cases in and out of court. She is an effective negotiator who has successfully settled many cases. Linda has excellent communication skills and is an outstanding writer. She drafts effective legal briefs, certifications, and other legal pleadings. Ms. Coronato’s focus is to get her clients through the divorce process and on to a better future. She knows that divorce is a life-changing event and diligently represents her clients’ interests. Linda has an aggressive yet compassionate approach to each case she handles. Her first goal is to protect your rights. She delivers valued based representation, so you can achieve your goals.

Alicia Embley Turner

Jefferson City, MO

Alicia Embley Turner is an Associate at Newman, Comley & Ruth, P.C., focusing on civil litigation, collections and creditors’ rights, business law, corporate law, and general civil litigation. She joined the firm in 2000 after working for an international law firm in Paris, France. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign with a B.A. in Political Science and French, and received her J.D. from the University of Missouri - Columbia School of Law in 1999, where she was a Note and Comment Editor of the Missouri Law Review and President of the International Law Society. She is a member of the Missouri Bar and the Cole County Bar Association, and active in the Jefferson City West Rotary Club.

Pierre Ratzki

New York, NY

Pierre Ratzki is an associate attorney in Weitz & Luxenberg's Asbestos Litigation group, focusing on appeals. He helps defeat attempts to overturn verdicts and seeks to reverse losses for clients. He is fluent in French and was named a New York Metro Rising Star by Super Lawyers magazine in 2016 and 2017.