French-Speaking Attorneys

Brian P. Riley

Gaithersburg, MD

Brian P. Riley has been representing injured workers in Maryland and Washington, D.C. workers’ compensation claims since 2003. He served as the co-chairperson of the workers’ compensation section of the Montgomery County Bar Association from September of 2009 through May of 2010. He has appeared at hundreds of Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission hearings and multiple Informal Conferences with the Washington, D.C. Office of Workers’ Compensation as well as multiple Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission hearings. Proficient in Spanish and French, Brian enjoys working with foreign-born clients to help them navigate the legal system. Brian graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center with his juris doctor degree in 2001 and began his legal career as the law clerk for the Honorable D. Warren Donohue of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County Maryland. Brian worked as an associate attorney for other law firms in Montgomery County, Maryland before joining Antezana & Antezana, LLC. Prior to his legal career, Brian worked as a French and Spanish teacher at Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Maryland. He also served as a loan counselor for a national, non-profit housing organization, helping low and moderate income homebuyers qualify for fixed-rate mortgage loans. Brian graduated from Villanova University in 1993 where he was elected as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and delivered the student commencement oration at the graduation ceremony. He also earned a master of arts in teaching degree from Trinity Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1995.

Jennifer Cortes-Johnson

Covington, LA

Originally from Miami Beach, Florida, Jennifer Cortes-Johnson obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1997 and her Juris Doctorate Degree from Tulane University School of Law in 2000. Following admission to the Louisiana Bar, she began her law career as a trial attorney focusing on insurance defense, working for Travelers and Nationwide Insurance. She is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Louisiana, is a licensed notary, and is fluent in Spanish with working proficiency in French. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Louisiana Bar Association, the Hispanic Bar Association, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Astrid Quiñones

Columbia, MD

Astrid Quiñones is a passionate Senior Immigration Attorney who zealously advocates for her clients. As the daughter of immigrants, she is dedicated to representing clients within the American immigration legal system. She received her undergraduate degree from Fairfield University in 2014 and graduated from Syracuse University School of Law in 2018, where she received the Seely Johnson Award and was selected as a national member of The Order of Barristers. She also earned a Masters in Public Administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 2018. Prior to Portner & Shure, Astrid worked for various legal service providers in the DMV area, serving immigrants and families in domestic violence, family law, and immigration matters. She is admitted to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. She is fluent in Spanish and proficient in French.

Grace Marilyn Casas-Rowe

Miami, FL

Grace Marilyn Casas-Rowe is an Of Counsel attorney at Mitchell & West, focusing her practice on Family Law. She is licensed in Florida and is a member in good standing with The Florida Bar. She graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Criminology, and earned her law degree from the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and proficient in French. Grace is an active member of the Miami Family Inns of Court and a Board Member and Secretary for the charity Kidside.

Joseph M. Mazraani, formed Mazraani & Liguori LLP in 2006 with Joseph C. Liguori. Mr. Mazraani concentrates his practice on criminal and municipal court defense. Mr. Mazraani has successfully represented clients charged with offenses ranging from murder, aggravated assault, and drug offenses to driving while intoxicated and other motor vehicle violations. He has handled cases in municipal courts across the State as well as Federal District Court. Mr. Mazraani has also appeared before the Family Court in domestic violence matters. In addition to handling criminal cases in the complaint and indictment stages, Mr. Mazraani has represented clients before the Parole Board and in appeals before the New Jersey Appellate Division. He has also advised numerous clients under investigation in which his clients avoided indictment or other proceedings.

Firas Sawaf

Phoenix, AZ

Firas Sawaf obtained his Juris Doctor from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2020. After law school, he supported the litigation department in reviewing contracts and agreements for civil and commercial litigation. He also holds a Master's degree in Business and Economic Law from the University of Paris 1, Pantheon Sorbonne, earned in 2002. Before moving to Arizona, Mr. Sawaf worked at an international law firm, successfully negotiating contracts and settlement agreements. He is trilingual, speaking French and Arabic, which, along with his multinational legal exposure, enhances his ability to excel in various practice areas and protect clients' interests. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his two daughters, friends, and family, participating in competitive team sports like soccer, and engaging in outdoor activities.

Allan E. Lobozzo

Lewiston, ME

Allan E. Lobozzo is an attorney with over thirty years of experience, having previously worked as a newspaperman. He is rooted in Maine but also has international perspective from living abroad. He is married with five children and can navigate conversations in Spanish and French.

Jennifer as an Associate of Intili Law Group Focuses on A Variety of Complex legal matters including personal injuy, wrongful death,medical malpractice, and business litigation. In 2011 Jennifer earned her B.A. from Wittenberg University where she majored in French Language and Literature. In 2021 she earned her J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law, where she participated as a member of the Leadership Honor Program; an elite program to form top leaders through integration of leadership skills development. While attending Law School Jennifer served as a teaching assistance for legal writing courses and worked various internships, focusing on practice areas of corporate busiensss and secutities, and litigation. Prior to law school Jennfer spent seven years working at a Fortune 300 company where she served as an Operations Analystt in the Mortgatge Industry.

Anzhela Hovhannisyan

Encino, CA

Anzhela Hovhannisyan earned her Juris Doctor degree, Summa Cum Laude, from the French University in Armenia and Université Jean Moulin Lyon III in Lyon, France. She also holds multiple LLM degrees. She began her legal career in 2013 as a legal consultant and later worked at a prominent law firm in Yerevan, Armenia. She joined Davana Law Firm in September 2024.

Samuel V. Retter

Denver, CO

Samuel V. Retter is an Associate at The Hustead Law Firm. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from McGill University and his J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School in 2023. He focused on civil and commercial litigation, competed in moot court, and served as a student attorney. He previously practiced personal injury and workers’ compensation law, specializing in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, construction defects, medical malpractice, premises liability, products liability, and insurance coverage disputes. He is fluent in Russian and proficient in French, and admitted in Colorado.

Mario G. Menocal

Vero Beach, FL

Mario G. Menocal is an attorney with broad experience in commercial law, specializing in complex commercial disputes, arbitration, and transactional work. He is tri-lingual (English, Spanish, French) and holds a J.D. from the University of Miami and an MBA.

Hendrick Vandamme

New York, NY

Hendrick was born in the Czech Republic. He is fluent in Czech, German, and French. He graduated from Essex University in England and Fordham University Law School. Hendrick gained experience at a securities litigation firm before joining a major North American insurance company as the attorney of record and trial counsel. On multiple occasions, Hendrick has served as a correspondent to Radio Journal in Prague where he uses his expertise to discuss American legal issues of international interest. Hendrick also serves pro bono as the Treasurer and Vice President of the Olga Forrai Foundation, which provides support for opera singers and classical music conductors. He is admitted to practice in New York and in the US District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts.

Natalia S. Cortes-Hidalgo

Kansas City, MO

With an LL.M in Health Law, Natalia S. Cortes-Hidalgo possesses specialized knowledge in matters related to medical malpractice torts, personal injuries, defective medical devices, corporate and medical liability in healthcare settings, fraud, and abuse under Federal healthcare programs, and public health and governance. During her tenure with Krause & Kinsman, Natalia has drafted complaints in the Hernia Mesh Litigation for the Covidien and Bard medical devices featured in multidistrict litigations (MDLs) and multicounty litigations (MCLs). Her work includes a thorough and detailed evaluation of each of the Plaintiff’s medical records, their medical device (mesh), the injuries related to their medical device, and its long-lasting side effects.

Nikki F. Karadimas

Hackensack, NJ

Nikki F. Karadimas is an associate with the firm, exclusively practicing family and matrimonial law. She is admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York. She graduated magna cum laude from Marist University in 2022 and cum laude from Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in 2025. She was heavily involved with the First-Generation Law Students Association and worked as a paralegal during law school. She also participated in the New York State Pro Bono Scholars Program, assisting victims of domestic violence.

Madeleine Lamb Karstens

Brentwood, TN

Madeleine Lamb’s legal, business, communications, and advocacy background provides her with essential skills to assist clients in a broad spectrum of legal matters. A native of Franklin, Tennessee, Madeleine brings an innate understanding, knowledge, and love of the local community to her law practice. She now represents clients in litigation and non-litigation matters, including but not limited to will and trust drafting, estate contests, adult guardianships and conservatorships, divorce, child custody, and privacy and defamation.

Martin Michalski graduated from Marquette University with a bachelor's degree in history and English literature in 2001. He earned his law degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and a certificate in Global Legal Studies from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. He is an active member of the Polish community and is fluent in Polish and French. Martin interned at the Auschwitz State Museum and began his legal practice as an intern at Gide Loyrette&Nouel, specializing in corporate law and business consulting. His passion outside of law is Military History, especially as it pertains to the plight of the Polish people throughout the centuries.

Megan Haskins

Vienna, VA

Megan P. Haskins is a Maryland-based attorney with over two decades of experience across diverse legal fields including immigration, international human rights, civil rights, social justice, elder law, and real estate law. She holds a B.A. in International Development (summa cum laude) from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and a dual JD/MA in International Human Rights Law from American University’s Washington College of Law. Her experience includes work in East and West Africa and American University's International Human Rights Clinic. Megan is licensed to practice in Maryland and is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association. She is fluent in English, with working knowledge of French and beginner Spanish.

Annie Flore Joseph

Jackson Heights, NY

Annie Flore Joseph is a highly accomplished professional with a rich and diverse background, bringing a wealth of experience to her role as a paralegal at Gehi & Associates. Holding a Certificate in Child Protection with a focus on Children’s Rights in Theory and Practice, Annie Flore’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of individuals is evident throughout her career. Having served as a diplomat for the Consulate General of Haiti in New York for three years, Annie Flore honed her diplomatic skills before assuming the role of Assistant Director at the Haitian American Chamber of E-Commerce for another two years. Annie Flore’s professional journey also includes valuable experience in immigration services at Kleernest Solutions, where she further solidified her understanding of the intricacies of immigration law. Notably, she is a Licensed New York Notary, adding another layer of expertise to her skill set. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Annie Flore holds a degree in Psychology & Human Resources, underscoring her holistic approach to understanding and addressing the needs of individuals within her community. Currently, as a paralegal at Gehi Law & Associates, Annie Flore collaborates seamlessly with intelligent and motivated attorneys to address clients’ daily needs. Languages spoken- English, French, and Creole.

Alexis Cirkinyan

Encino, CA

Alexis has represented and advised private and public employers in all stages of litigation from initial responsive pleading to ultimate resolution in federal and state courts and on appeal in labor and employment matters for more than 20 years. She has defended employers in cases involving the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII, the American with Disabilities Act, Whistleblower actions, Constitutional violations, and the Government Tort Claims Act. Alexis also represents employers before government agencies such as the DFEH and EEOC. Prior to joining Ballard, Rosenberg, Golper, & Savitt, Alexis was a partner with the Los Angeles firm of Kessel & Associates. She is fluent in Greek, Armenian, and Turkish, with a limited knowledge of French.

Lilit Seleck

El Segundo, CA

Lilit’s current areas of practice at Petrullo Law are wrongful death, elder abuse, neglect, professional negligence, and medical malpractice. Additionally, Lilit is an adjunct Professor of Law at the UWLA School of Law. Lilit’s professional experience encompasses positions at well-regarded law firms, such as Blumberg Law Corporation, where she advocated for plaintiffs in cases involving medical malpractice and personal injury. Following that, she accepted a position at Faser, Watson Croutch, Law, where she served as part of a medical malpractice group that defended physicians, nursing homes, and hospitals, before joining Petrullo, APC. Lilit earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in Armenia, graduating summa cum laude. She obtained her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the University of West Los Angeles (UWLA), graduating with three Witkin academic awards, including an award for excellence in civil procedure. At the age of 19, when she was a third-year medical student, she was invited to lecture at the nursing college. She lectured on surgical and clinical pharmacology at a medical school and nursing college in Yerevan, Armenia, and was the Medical School’s Assistant Dean of the Medical Faculty. Lilit also worked as a Clinical Documentation Implementation Specialist at Keck Hospital of USC, where she provided clinical documentation training to physicians and residents for over seven years.

Katherine Wells Gressett

New Orleans, LA

Katherine Wells Gressett is an attorney with Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC, joining the firm in 2022. She practices in estate planning and business litigation, with prior experience in environmental litigation. She has extensive experience in federal and state court, advocating for both plaintiffs and defendants. She received her J.D./D.C.L. cum laude from Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center and a B.A. in French Literature from Vanderbilt University. She is fluent in French. She completed externships with U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Vance and a clerkship with Judge Phyllis Keaty. She is originally from Jackson, Mississippi, and lives in New Orleans.

Caitlin Costello

Philadelphia, PA

Caitlin Costello is a Partner at Palladino, Isbell & Casazza, where she represents individuals and families in complex immigration matters with a focus on removal defense, asylum, waivers, family-based immigration, and humanitarian relief. Prior to joining the firm, Caitlin practiced immigration law at firms in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where she developed experience across all stages of the immigration process, from litigation before the Immigration Courts, to federal court work, and appellate work. Prior to that, she served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Francis J. Vernoia of the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division. Caitlin graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers School of Law, where she worked in a variety of settings representing immigrants and criminal defendants. She graduated magna cum laude from Drexel University with a B.A. in International Area Studies. In her practice, Caitlin draws on her international experience, including as a Fullbright grantee in Senegal and as an exchange student in Bolivia. She is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and speaks Spanish, French, and Wolof. Caitlin strongly believes in acting as a zealous advocate for her clients.

Since qualifying as a solicitor in 1983 Chris has worked for the members of a wide variety of trade unions and professional organisations assisting them with a broad range of legal issues including personal injury, employment and professional conduct matters, contractual and intellectual property issues, and defamation. He has a BA in politics from Sussex University and can speak French and German