French-Speaking Attorneys

Mark H. Oring joined Baker and Oring, LLP in 1997 as a partner, focusing on personal injury, malpractice, and insurance law. With a legal career spanning three decades, he has extensive experience in general tort practice, including medical and legal malpractice, elder abuse, and civil rights cases. He is also a former Professor of Law and has taught various legal subjects at the university level.

Celine Cutter

Sacramento, CA

Celine Cutter is a partner who represents individuals in serious injury cases including sexual assault, product liability, and dangerous condition of public property. She also works with whistleblowers, holding large companies accountable for fraud and corporate wrongdoing. She is committed to providing high quality representation for ordinary people in complex civil actions.

Veronica Buckels

Santa Ana, CA

Ms. Veronica Buckels is a dedicated attorney specializing in personal injury law, and she leads the sexual assault team at Razavi Law Group. Known for her empathetic nature and ambitious and passionate advocacy, she is committed to securing justice for her clients and maximizing their settlements. She also won the Super Lawyer Rising Star Award from 2023,2024, 2025. Prior to her role at Razavi Law Group, Ms. Buckels served as Insurance & Claims Counsel for a multinational insurance brokerage firm, where she honed her legal expertise. Licensed to practice in all California state and federal courts, Ms. Buckels earned her Juris Doctor from Chapman University, Fowler School of Law, on a Merit-Based Scholarship. During her time in law school, she was actively involved in the Constitutional Jurisprudence Clinic, co-drafting an amicus curiae brief for a case that reached the United States Supreme Court. Outside the office, Ms. Buckels enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her husband and their two young children.

Loren J. Eddy

Kennewick, WA

Loren J. Eddy is a founding member and partner at Gierth-Eddy Law Offices PLLC. Loren has more than 39 years of experience helping area residents with estate planning and probate matters and personal injury claims. While Mr. Eddy focuses a majority of his practice on Estate Planning, he also handles personal injury matters involving wrongful death, nursing home abuse, premises liability, and automobile collisions. Mr. Eddy is admitted to practice in Washington and Idaho. He graduated magna cum laude from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1981. His undergraduate degrees are in Spanish Literature, and French Literature; Mr. Eddy is fluent in Spanish, and conversant in French. Mr. Eddy and his wife Karen have three children and six grandchildren.

Regina Irene Edwards

Lawrenceville, GA

Regina I. Edwards is the Owner and Managing Attorney of Edwards Family Law. Ms. Edwards has been practicing law since 2001 and has 21 years of complex family law litigation experience. She attended Tulane University School of Law where she concentrated in family law courses. She speaks three languages.

Ali Garmey Chardon

Portland, ME

Alexis Garmey Chardon is driven by a deep sense of justice, and she is not afraid to take powerful adversaries to trial - and through appeal - to get it. Having started her legal career defending corporations, Ali now uses the insights she gained as a defense attorney to help injured people get the justice they deserve. Ali is proud to fight alongside the skilled, aggressive, and compassionate attorneys and staff at Garmey Law to get her clients the help they need. Ali represents injured plaintiffs in personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and discrimination cases. In 2022, Ali secured one of the nation’s highest public medical malpractice settlements, $8 million, in a case involving a federally-funded healthcare clinic’s failure to respond to and treat suspicions of child abuse, resulting in a mother’s inability to protect her infant son from his abuser. Ali is equally proud of her recent trial victories in tough-to-win cases, including: a $700,000 verdict in 2023 from a Bangor jury in a case involving negligent maintenance of an apartment staircase; a $500,000 verdict in 2022 from a Lewiston jury in a case involving a slip-on-ice in a negligently-maintained hospital parking lot; and a $700,000 verdict in 2021 against a Chicago, Illinois school district on behalf of three young women who were groped by a security guard. Ali is licensed in Maine and admitted in the District of Maine, the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and state and federal courts in Illinois. Ali serves on the Board of Governors of the Maine Trial Lawyer’s Association and is a former Chair of the Women’s Section of the Maine Bar Association. She has been recognized by SuperLawyers, Best of the Bar (Top Verdicts and Settlements), National Trial Lawyers, and other organizations. She received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and her law degree from Northwestern University School of Law, where she competed on the mock trial team and won a national mock trial competition. Following a clerkship with Judge Kermit Lipez of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, Ali practiced commercial litigation for Fortune 500 companies at a top-tier firm in Chicago for several years and later founded her own civil rights practice there. Ali likes to spend her free time enjoying the great outdoors with her fearless kids or sitting around a campfire. Ali feels incredibly lucky to call Terry Garmey “Boss” during the week and “Dad” on the weekends. She speaks French and loves it when her work gives her the opportunity to speak it with clients or witnesses. Having checked two boxes on her Miss Rumphius List (seeing faraway places and coming back home to live by the sea), Ali is still contemplating the Lupine Lady’s final challenge: how to make the world a more beautiful place.

Phillip G. Vermont

Pleasanton, CA

Phillip joined the firm in 1989 as a litigator. He handles real estate and business litigation, personal injury, product’s liability and construction law. He is bilingual, with French as his first language. His proficiency in French and English has allowed him to advise numerous foreign clients, in particular, those of French ancestry. A large part of his practice is the litigation of complex landlord-tenant disputes primarily on behalf of commercial property owners and property managers. He developed the firm’s Unlawful Detainer Single Fee Program to better serve property owners. He has tried and/or resolved over 1,000 eviction and lease dispute actions. He also advises property owners and managers on issues related to real estate including property line disputes, disclosures, partition cases arising from joint ownership, purchase and sale contracts and residential lease disputes. Phillip’s business litigation experience includes trade secret and confidentiality matters, contractual and corporate disputes, partnership and fraud cases and a wide variety of debt collection matters. He has also obtained verdicts and settlements for injured parties in excess of $5,000,000.00.

George P. Roland, Esq.

Sherman Oaks, CA

George P. Roland, is a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation has been in practice for over 45 years. Mr. Roland is a pillar of the Workers’ Compensation community and is additionally well seasoned in all Personal Injuries (P.I.), and has also represented individuals in Social Security, and Discrimination cases. After graduating from U.C. Berkeley with a B.S. in Philosophy in 1970 and a short writing career, George Roland was admitted to the University of Denver College Of Law, where he was active in the Public Defender’s office both as an investigator as well as a “student attorney,” also practicing civilly with the Denver Legal Aid Clinic. Mr. Roland was admitted to the California State Bar in 1975, practicing criminal, civil, and Workers’ Compensation law, becoming a “Certified Specialist” in Workers’ Compensation. Mr. Roland is admitted to practice in California before the Federal and State Courts, is a member in good standing of the California Applicant’s Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), Consumer Trial Lawyers’ Association (CTLA), Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association (LATLA), formerly Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association (AAA), and was a Judge Pro-Tempore and Arbitrator in Workers’ Compensation. Mr. Roland was born in Paris, France, and speaks French, Hungarian, as well as Spanish. Mr. Roland was the founder of his own law office previously and has now joined the MB&A team in his final quest to obtain justice for injured workers in need.

Paul C. Brennan

Woburn, MA

Paul C. Brennan is a compassionate, aggressive, attentive, and effective attorney based in Woburn, Massachusetts. Admitted to the bar in 1982, he has over 40 years of experience guiding businesses and individuals through the legal system. He is dedicated to serving clients with professionalism, attentive listening, and respect, leveraging his deep knowledge of Massachusetts law to create innovative legal strategies for criminal defense, commercial litigation, collections, traffic violations, driving while intoxicated, general civil and criminal litigation, personal injury, worker's compensation, domestic relations, family law, premises liability, product liability, probate law, and appeals.

Howard A. Lazar

Anchorage, AK

Howard A. Lazar was admitted to the Alaska State Bar in 1986. He has over thirty-five years of both civil and criminal litigation experience defending claims against physicians, hospitals, manufacturers, and other organizations. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and listed in The Best Lawyers in America.

Martha Farmer Copeland

Corbin, KY

Attorney Martha Farmer Copeland is an experienced Kentucky Personal Injury Attorney. She was a partner at Copeland & Romines Law Office, PLLC. Her practice areas included Personal Injury, Divorce, Workers Compensation, Wills & Estates, and Bankruptcy. She was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1987 and also practiced in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky and U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit. She received her J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law and her B.A. from Transylvania University with a major in Religion and English. She is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association for Women, Kentucky Bar Association, and was Vice President of the Corbin Chamber of Commerce in 1998. She previously worked at Freeman and Copeland (Partner), Farmer, Keller & Kelly (Associate), and Rex Farmer's (Vice President).

Zhanna Sanamyan

Woodland Hills, CA

Zhanna Sanamyan is an experienced attorney in the area of personal injury. Ms. Sanamyan went directly to law school, never attending high school and college in the USA. She put herself through a three- and half-year night program while working full time at a law office where she started as a file clerk. Ms. Sanamyan's unique skills of research, knowledge of three foreign languages, organization, dedication and management of her time, enables her to obtain good results for her clients. Ms. Sanamyan has extensive experience in personal injury starting from client intake up until a settlement or a jury trial. Her primary focus is obtaining justice for her injured clients with a compassionate yet firm approach at litigating cases. She is committed to consistently giving each case personal attention and making sure her clients feel at ease throughout the legal process. Zhanna Sanamyan obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law. While in law school, she worked full time at several law firms and interned at Los Angeles County District Attorney's office. Ms. Sanamyan is an active member of CAALA, LACBA, Armenian Bar Association, Armenian Professional Association. Ms. Sanamyan speaks English, Russian, Armenian and fair French. She is a mom of twins; a boy and a girl. In her spare time, she loves to cook French cuisine and travel.

Luigi Colombo

Mount Vernon, WA

Luigi Colombo is an attorney practicing Personal Injury, Collaborative Divorce, and Family Law in Mount Vernon, WA. He is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law and has been a member of the Washington State Bar Association since 2002. He is fluent in Italian, French, and conversant in German.

Richard R. Kennedy III

Lafayette, LA

Personal injury attorney Richard R. Kennedy III joined our law firm in 2000. Over the last two decades, he has achieved many significant victories for personal injury victims in both state and federal court. He is proud to be a member of several prestigious organizations, including the Louisiana Association for Justice, The American Association for Justice, and the American Bar Association. Since 2000, Richard Kennedy III has been practicing with Richard R. Kennedy. He has recovered fair settlements for his clients and has had great success in the court room.

Ryan Berchelmann

Houston, TX

A Houston native with a global outlook, Ryan Berchelmann brings extensive litigation experience and an international perspective to his legal practice. With a background in business, recruiting, and law, Ryan is deeply committed to pursuing justice for his clients with skill, tenacity, and compassion. Ryan grew up in Cypress, Texas, but his formative experiences extended far beyond. Summers spent in Ecuador not only gave him fluency in Spanish but also shaped his understanding of different cultures-an asset he brings to every case. He earned his BBA in International Business and Economics, as well as an MBA in Management, from Sam Houston State University. He later earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law Houston. Before entering the legal field, Ryan spent four years as an executive recruiter in the airline industry, conducting high-level searches throughout the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Panama. While attending law school, he also clerked for an immigration firm, where he deepened his commitment to advocacy and client service. Now a licensed attorney in both Texas and Georgia, Ryan is admitted to practice in the Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas. He has successfully tried over 20 cases and reached settlement agreements totaling in the multi-millions. His reputation as a skilled litigator is matched by his dedication to each client he represents, especially in complex personal injury matters. Outside the courtroom, Ryan is an avid traveler with a passion for international cultures. He has visited six continents and over 30 countries. A lifelong language learner, he is fluent in Spanish and actively studies French, Portuguese, and Italian. Ryan is the proud father of two sons, ages 15 and 13. He values the time they share together and strives to model perseverance, integrity, and curiosity both at home and in his legal career. If you’re seeking a seasoned attorney with global insight and courtroom experience, Ryan Berchelmann is ready to stand by your side and fight for the outcome you deserve.

David L. Lybbert

Moses Lake, WA

Active in litigation and representation of clients regarding Social Security disability and workers compensation claims since starting to practice law in the summer of 1986. I have handled cases involving injuries to the back, the neck, severe head injuries, shoulders, knees, hips, ankles and feet. I have represented clients regarding heart attacks that occurred at work, strokes that occurred at work. I have litigated and obtained coverage for my clients regarding major depressive disorder, aggravation of bipolar disorder, PTSD, adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders etc. I have litigated the allowance of occupational disease claims for hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, and lung disease. I have represented clients whose claims are being adjudicated by the Department of Labor and Industries, or by way of hearings presented to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, as well as, appeals to Superior Court, regional Courts of Appeals, and the Washington State Supreme Court. I have tried cases to juries and to Judges in multiple counties in the state of Washington, including, but not limited to, Grant County, Adams County, Lincoln County, Stevens County, Okanogan County, Chelan County, Douglas County, Spokane County, Walla Walla County, Columbia County, Garfield County, Franklin County, Benton County, Yakima County, Snohomish County, and King County. My representation of a client at the Washington state Supreme Court led to a landmark decision regarding how time loss benefits are to be calculated when dealing with wages for farmworkers. The ruling made in my case have been followed, and cited as the law of the state, by other courts for decades. I love languages. Having served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in France and Switzerland, I am fluent in French. I have conversational abilities in Spanish. I also understand some German. When not practicing law, my time is absorbed with hobbies that include fishing, golfing, and raising grandchildren.

Jon Simon Stefanuca

Timonium, MD

Jon Simon Stefanuca is a trial attorney at Gilman & Bedigian, LLC, specializing in medical malpractice and personal injury cases, particularly those involving catastrophic injuries in children such as cerebral palsy and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. He also has extensive experience with toxic exposure cases. He has achieved verdicts and settlements exceeding $350,000,000.

Malcolm Davis Smith, Jr.

Tulsa, OK

Malcolm Davis Smith, Jr. is the Managing Partner/Attorney at the Law Office of Malcolm D. Smith, Jr. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1981 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University. He has extensive experience in workers' compensation defense, insurance defense, and personal injury, having served as an Assistant City Prosecutor and operated a private general law practice. A veteran of hundreds of non-jury trials and 85 jury trials, he is also accomplished in appellate practice. He has held leadership roles in various bar associations and community organizations, and has studied multiple languages including French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Paula M. Rosales

Dallas, TX

The Honorable Paula M. Rosales rejoined the Law Office of Domingo Garcia in February 2023 as the Litigation Attorney Manager for the Dallas Office. She previously served as presiding judge of the Dallas County Court at Law No. 4 and as a City of Dallas Municipal Court Judge. She has experience in medical malpractice, personal injury, and advocating for victims as a Dallas County Assistant District Attorney.

Brian J. Mersman

New Orleans, LA

Brian J. Mersman is an attorney at Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso, focusing his practice on complex maritime, environmental, and personal injury litigation. He graduated from Tulane University Law School with a Certificate in Maritime Law and is dedicated to securing justice for clients harmed by negligence.

Jazmin E. Newton-Butt

Davenport, IA

Jazmin E. Newton-Butt is an attorney licensed in Iowa (2014) and Illinois (2013), focusing on family law, mediation, criminal defense, OWI/DUI, and personal injury. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and conversational in French. A Cum Laude graduate of Northern Illinois University College of Law (2013), she has received multiple awards including the Young Alum of the Year Award (2023) and Girl on Fire Mentor of the Year (2021). She is actively involved in community leadership, serving as Davenport Alderwoman at Large, and on various boards and commissions including the QC Chamber of Commerce and LULAC Iowa.

Jennifer L. Crawford

Raleigh, NC

Jennifer is an experienced trial lawyer, whose passion is client-focused advocacy. At Edwards Beightol, Jennifer is a critical part of the team handling our Camp Lejeune Justice Act cases. She cares deeply about these men and women who, while serving our country, were harmed by water contamination on base. Jennifer attended Muskingum University in Ohio where she graduated with highest honors in 3 years with a B.A. degree in two majors: one in French and one in International Business in 1998. During undergraduate school, she studied for a semester in Trois Rivieres in Quebec, Canada, and used that immersion to teach French to elementary students in after-school programs. Jennifer was the student assistant to the head of the Business Department at Muskingum while she also ran the French Lab in the evenings for language students. She interned for the late Senator John Glenn of Ohio and helped in the coordination of his announcement of his return to space. Jennifer attended Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law where she obtained her Juris Doctor in 2001. At Campbell, she was selected as a member of the Trial Advocacy Team, which resulted in her nomination for and receipt of The Barrister’s Award. In 1999 she was elected President of Campbell’s R.C. Bryan Senate of Delta Theta Phi, a professional law fraternity and member of the Professional Fraternity Association. Jennifer was also President of The Christian Legal Society from 2000-2001. She earned Book Awards, as the top student, in multiple subjects at Campbell. Immediately after law school, Jennifer joined a criminal defense firm, concentrating on district court trial work. She then hopped the fence to the prosecutorial side of courtroom advocacy to the Wake County District Attorney’s Office where she discovered a particular passion for the protection of domestic violence victims. As an Assistant District Attorney, Jennifer tried cases in misdemeanor traffic court, misdemeanor criminal court, misdemeanor appeals, and some felony domestic violence trials specializing in stalking and strangulation. She ran courtrooms focusing on domestic violence, restraining orders, juvenile delinquency, and misdemeanor appeals. Additionally she trained officers in crime scene response, cooperated with community-based outreach regarding family violence intervention, and served on the Governor’s Task Force for Domestic Violence. Jennifer then transitioned in 2007 to the Wake County Magistrate’s Office where she worked on both the civil and criminal aspects of the office. Her responsibilities included conducting probable cause hearings, involuntary commitment, advising officers regarding charging instruments, testifying in court regarding DWI’s, setting misdemeanor and felony criminal bonds and appropriate release conditions, performing civil marriage ceremonies, conducting involuntary commitment hearings, and reviewing and granting search warrants. Jennifer’s greatest takeaway from law school was her husband. She stepped back from her legal career for a little over a decade to raise full-time and homeschool her kids, who now are almost all taller than her. Having a special needs son has inspired her involvement with autism-related causes, such as Special Olympics and church-based special needs classrooms. Becoming the guardian of her Alzheimer’s affected grandparents has expanded her desire to serve special populations. Having one Belgian Malinois and one English Lab has necessitated her constantly carrying a lint brush. Coming from Ohio she still struggles to rank basketball above football, especially when it concerns the Buckeyes, but she’s learning.

Jay MacKinlay

Scottsdale, AZ

With nearly 25 years of experience in personal injury law, Jay MacKinlay has built a reputation as a dedicated advocate for individuals who have been wrongfully injured. He has successfully represented clients in hundreds of cases, from straightforward claims to complex litigation, securing substantial settlements and verdicts. Known for his thorough approach and commitment to his clients, Jay has handled a wide variety of personal injury cases, achieving favorable results in courtrooms across Arizona and throughout the United States. One of Jay’s most significant cases involved a trucking accident where his client suffered a traumatic brain injury. After overcoming the insurance company’s reluctance to offer a fair settlement, Jay’s expertise led to a $4 million recovery for his client. In another case, Jay represented a woman who was attacked by an off-leash dog, sustaining serious injuries that required surgery. By carefully examining the fine print of the defendant’s insurance policy, Jay secured $180,000 for his client despite the insurer initially denying coverage. Jay’s work also extends to complex cases involving long-term consequences. He successfully argued for compensation for a child born with complications after the mother was involved in a car accident, securing over $660,000 for the child’s care. In another premises liability case, Jay recovered the policy limits for a woman paralyzed by a stray bullet at a house party where alcohol had been served to minors... Beyond his legal practice, Jay is deeply involved in community service. Recognized by Arizona State University for his volunteer work, Jay regularly provides free legal advice to those who lack access to quality representation. His dedication to helping others has made him a respected figure both in and out of the courtroom. Jay is admitted to practice before Arizona’s highest State and Federal courts, the Colorado Supreme Court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the United States Court of Appeals. He graduated with honors from both college and law school, and is fluent in French. When he’s not practicing law, Jay enjoys competing in mountain biking and marathons. His commitment to discipline and endurance in his personal life reflects the same qualities he brings to his legal work. Jay approaches every case with focus, precision, and a determination to achieve the best outcome for his clients.