French-Speaking Attorneys

Angela Nevard

New York, NY

Angela Nevard is an Associate at Barasch & McGarry working on 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Claims for families of deceased victims. Ms. Nevard is a graduate of the McGill Faculty of Law where she earned both her Civil and Common Law degrees. In 2013, she became a member of the Quebec Bar and in 2020 a member of the New York Bar. Prior to joining Barasch McGarry, she was a litigator, with the last three years primarily dedicated to child protective matters. She worked pro bono in a variety of matters including with the Safe Passage Project and with Election Protection. She is fluent in French.

Neal Sharkey

Monroe, NC

Neal Sharkey started his legal career at the age of 40 after serving for 15 years in the U.S. Army and 15 years in corporate America. He established The Sharkey Law Firm, PLLC in 2014 to better serve his community, and the firm has been growing ever since. As life does with all of us Neal was prompted to make a difficult change and close his firm. Neal has joined Plyler Long and Corigliano as an associate attorney and enjoys helping his clients navigate some of life’s most important journeys. Neal can help you prepare your estate plan, and in the worst of times, he can walk with you through the estate administration process. Neal also enjoys working with home buyers to get through the closing process. In his off-time Neal enjoys raising his small flock of chickens and riding his motorcycle. “Relationships matter” is attorney Sharkey” personal motto. He lives out this statement in the way he serves his Church, Community, Clients, and Family. Neal is conversationally fluent in French.

Catherine E. DiSanto

Jackson, WY

Catherine E. DiSanto is an associate at The Spence Law Firm. After experiencing personal loss, she brings heightened compassion to her clients. She graduated with honors from the University of Wyoming, where she was selected to the Order of the Coif, wrote for the Wyoming Law Review, and interned at The Spence Law Firm. She also completed judicial externships at the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Ninth Judicial District of Wyoming. Catherine previously clerked for Justice Marilyn S. Kite at the Wyoming Supreme Court. She is active in community safety and social justice.

George R. Mead II

Pensacola, FL

George R. Mead, II (Erick Mead) is Vice President of the firm and Co-Chair of the firm’s Leadership Committee. He maintains a broad civil litigation and counseling practice.

Michelle Jean-Jacques is an associate, who has been working at the firm for 11 years. She was admitted into the New York Bar in 1999. Ms. Jean-Jacques studied law at New York Law School, J.D., and graduated in 1998. She completed her undergraduate degree at City College of New York, B.A., in 1994, and was summa cum laude. Her court admissions are within New York State U.S. District Court, Eastern, Northern and Southern Districts of New York and she is a member of the New York Bar Association. Ms. Jean-Jacques is fluent in French and Haitian Creole.

Nikolaos Keffalonitis

Downey, CA

Nikolaos "Nikos" Kefallonitis was born and raised in Athens, Greece. He attended the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Law, graduating in 2016. He completed a legal traineeship and passed the Greek Bar Examination. He holds a Master of Arts degree from Panteion University and an LL.M. from the University of Virginia School of Law (2020). He is licensed in Greece and California and is currently an Associate Attorney at The Law Offices of Gavril T. Gabriel.

Esteban A. Gergely

Rockville, MD

A dedication to helping people protect their liberty and reputation is what inspired Esteban Gergely to focus his legal career on criminal defense. He believes that the constitutional guarantees provided to all persons in the United States is essential to maintaining a free and equal Democracy.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Brenda Lee Guan

West Des Moines, IA

Brenda Lee Guan has been practicing law since 2024, licensed in Iowa and Minnesota. She focuses on family law and estate planning, including probate. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese and French, she is passionate about serving non-English speaking clients. She earned her J.D. from The University of Iowa College of Law in 2024 and a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Linguistics from Grinnell College in 2020.

Lindsay Hearn

Oklahoma City, OK

Lindsay Hearn joined Foshee & Yaffe in May 2018 as a Licensed Legal Intern and graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law in December 2018. She focuses on social security, immigration, and family law, and is fluent in French and Haitian Creole.

David Cruz

St. Charles, MO

A St. Louis native, David graduated from St. Louis University School of Law in 2018. He then found a passion for helping people accused of crimes and honed his skills with the Public Defender for six years. David practiced in Springfield and St. Charles, Missouri, successfully defending clients charged with all levels of felonies and misdemeanors through trial. David brought his wealth of experience to Boehmer Law in 2024 and continues his practice of defending clients with compassion, honesty, and zeal. David speaks fluent Spanish. Si necesitas hablar con un abogado en espanol, por favor, pide a David.

Ilana Korchia

Bainbridge Island, WA

Ilana joined Marler Clark, Inc., P.S. in May 2019, after graduating from the University of Florida with her bachelor’s degree in food science. She continued to work at Marler Clark while attending law school at Seattle University School of Law and graduated Cum Laude in 2022. Her work includes drafting pleadings, motions, and demand letters, conducting discovery, and researching and writing about various legal and scientific issues. She also drafted a 61-page petition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding Salmonella as an adulterant.

Mila Movchan

Boca Raton, FL

Mila Movchan is a dedicated paralegal with a passion for justice and advocacy. Born and raised in Ukraine, Mila’s journey in the legal field began with her pursuit of higher education in civil law. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil law in Ukraine in 2010, laying the foundation for her career in the legal profession. Driven by a hunger for new experiences and opportunities, Mila embarked on a new chapter by moving to California in 2014. There, she furthered her legal education and expertise by obtaining a Paralegal Certificate, enhancing her skills and knowledge in the complexities of the American legal system. In 2019, feeling nostalgic for the warm Black Sea of her childhood, Mila made the move to the sunny shores of Florida. Despite the change in scenery, her dedication to her legal career remained unwavering. In Florida, Mila continues to pursue her passion for advocating for people’s rights and upholding the principles of justice, and in 2023 she joined Grossman Attorneys at Law. Mila’s background and linguistic abilities are valuable assets in her legal practice. Fluent in Russian, Ukrainian, and French, she possesses the unique ability to effectively communicate with foreign Defense Base Act claimants, fostering trust and understanding in often complex legal proceedings. Outside of her professional endeavors, Mila finds joy in spending time at the beach and exploring new destinations through travel. Her diverse background and experiences shape her perspective and drive her commitment to making a positive impact in the legal community and beyond.

Chandra A. Carr

Dallas, TX

Chandra A. Carr has seven years of legal experience, with five dedicated to representing individuals, businesses, and commercial trucking companies. She is known for her aggressive investigative approach, successfully defending clients at trial and securing favorable settlements through strategic, tenacious advocacy.

Faith M. Hashemi

Sacramento, CA

Faith M. Hashemi, Esq., is a committed and compassionate attorney serving Sacramento and the surrounding counties in the areas of probate and trust law, DUI and misdemeanor criminal defense, unlawful detainers, and real estate and property matters. With a diverse legal background and a client-focused approach, Ms. Hashemi delivers strategic and empathetic advocacy across both courtroom and transactional settings. Ms. Hashemi earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics from San Jose State University, followed by her Juris Doctor from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. During law school, she gained invaluable hands-on experience through internships with both the District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office. These roles equipped her with the legal insight, courtroom familiarity, and advocacy skills needed to effectively represent clients facing criminal charges and complex legal issues. As an attorney, Ms. Hashemi is known for her strong advocacy, diligent preparation, and ability to guide clients through difficult legal circumstances. Whether defending against criminal charges or resolving probate and property disputes, she provides honest legal advice and develops creative strategies tailored to her clients’ best interests. Her commitment to clear communication and personalized representation helps clients understand their rights and feel supported at every stage. In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Hashemi is a licensed California real estate agent and actively represents clients in real property transactions and disputes. She is multilingual-fluent in English, Farsi, and Turkish, with conversational ability in French - enabling her to serve a diverse range of clients with cultural sensitivity and care. Outside of her legal work, Ms. Hashemi enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, and playing piano. A lifelong animal lover, she often volunteers at animal shelters and shares her home with two beloved cats, Bijou and Topol.

Cally A. Gant

Blue Bell, PA

Cally Gant is an Associate Attorney focusing on medical malpractice and general liability cases. She graduated magna cum laude from the Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law and from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. She enjoys playing tennis, watching Philadelphia sports teams, and learning French.

Dixon L. Sandaire

Bradenton, FL

Dixon L. Sandaire is an attorney at Black Rock Legal Group, PLLC. He emigrated from France to the U.S. as a young adult and has experience with the immigration system. He has assisted government agencies as an investigator and is a trial-tested lawyer. He understands Florida courts and government service branches.

A native of Chaplin, Connecticut, Brendan is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law and was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 2021. He began his legal career in criminal law before focusing on worker's compensation and personal injury matters. He is a passionate advocate for workers' rights and handles personal injury, worker's compensation, and criminal motor vehicle cases at the firm. He graduated from Bennington College in 2016, majoring in political science and French.

Gaelle Williams

Boynton Beach, FL

Gaelle Williams is a Legal Assistant at Bodden & Bennett Law Group, with over 7 years of experience in the legal industry. She supports the litigation department with scheduling depositions, mediations, trials, and court hearings. Prior to joining the firm, she worked as a case manager for a family law firm and a hearing coordinator for a foreclosure law firm. Ms. Williams has a Legal Studies Certification and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Florida Atlantic University. She is fluent in Haitian Creole and French.