Japanese-Speaking Attorneys

Ed Salgado

Bensenville, IL

Eduardo is Of Counsel to Kaiser Law. Eduardo has concentrated his practice on aggressively defending those injured in the workplace against the unfair practices of insurance companies throughout the state of Illinois. Eduardo is committed to ensuring his clients obtain access to quality medical attention and above all receive the maximum level of compensation for their injuries. Due to his passionate representation of his clients, Eduardo has become a leader in the legal profession of workers' compensation and is currently a Board Member of the Chicago Bar Association's Workers' Compensation Division. During his time advocating for his clients Eduardo has successfully negotiated millions of dollars worth of workers' compensation benefits.

Miwa Arai

Irvine, CA

Ms. Arai is an extraordinary immigration lawyer. She graduated from University of California at Berkeley and the University of Notre Dame Law School and has practiced immigration law exclusively for over 17 years. Ms. Arai is a familiar and respected attorney before the USCIS as well as in the immigration courts. She has handled a wide variety of issues from simple visas to complex asylum cases. She is fluent in English, Japanese and Spanish. Ms. Arai’s enthusiasm for immigration policies and procedures began as a direct result of her parents’ immigration to the United States from Japan. Consequently, she sees the potential immigrant as an individual--a mother, father or child as well as a client. This is an attorney who takes a personal interest in every client and who can be trusted to deliver the absolute highest level of legal assistance.

Mark R. Sumsion

Salt Lake City, UT

Mark R. Sumsion is a shareholder in the law firm of Richards Brandt Miller Nelson. He received his B.S. degree in Business Management with an emphasis in International Marketing and Japanese from Brigham Young University in 1995, cum laude, and his J.D. degree from BYU in 1998, cum laude. Mr. Sumsion’s primary area of practice is workers’ compensation. Due to the nature of that work, his practice also involves significant appellate work. Prior to joining Richards Brandt Miller Nelson, Mr. Sumsion worked for a workers’ compensation applicant’s attorney as a law clerk/associate for three years, giving him a broad perspective on workers’ compensation claims. During that time, Mr. Sumsion also mediated numerous employment claims for the UALD regarding claims over wage, sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination. Mr. Sumsion has presented at numerous seminars on various topics concerning workers’ compensation. As part of his undergraduate studies, Mr. Sumsion worked for Nippon Polaroid assisting with the marketing and profitability analysis of promotional merchandise.

Tony G. Jones

Hurricane, UT

Tony G. Jones is a senior associate attorney at Ruesch Reeve Werrett & Jones, PLLC. He graduated from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College and has practiced bankruptcy law for 20 years, managing Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases. He is fluent in Japanese and is known for his caring disposition and understanding of client problems.

M. AIMEE RODRIGUEZ

Richmond, VA

Aimee (pronounced “I-MAY,” as in “I-MAY go to the store today”) recently joined KPM’s Fairfax office in 2024 as an Associate. Currently, Aimee practices in a wide variety of practice areas, notably personal injury claims, property damage claims, and contract disputes. Aimee particularly enjoys marshaling facts in her cases to fit legal theories that best meet client needs.

Bianca L. Chow

Denver, CO

Bianca L. Chow is a first-generation Chinese American and Colorado native, serving as Firm Receptionist / Client Onboarding at Fang Accident Lawyers. She grew up working in her family’s Chinese restaurants and assisting her stepfather’s acupuncture practice. Bianca graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts degree specializing in Sociolinguistics and minored in Japanese, having studied the language for 7 years. She is fluent in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin Chinese. Prior to joining the firm, Bianca gained years of office administrative support experience in an acupuncture clinic and another personal injury law firm, becoming skilled in communicating with insurance companies, managing records, and aiding injured clients. She is passionate about helping people overcome difficult situations and enjoys hiking, art, traveling, and spending time with friends, family, and her two cats.

Jack G. Schuler

Ottawa, IL

Jack G. Schuler is an attorney at Law Offices of Reilly & Skerston, specializing in legal research, writing, and advocacy for civil and criminal cases. He is licensed in Illinois since 2024 and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and U.S. Army Reserves. He is actively involved in community service, including the Streator Public Library and Engle Lane Theater.

Litigator with a Downtown Los Angeles law firm, joined FCOP in 2014. Handles estate matters and business law, with expertise in tax law. Developed expertise in taxation at Loyola Law School.

Michelle Winder McDonald

Irvine, CA

Michelle Winder McDonald is an accomplished Associate Attorney at Kimura London & White LLP, focusing on Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, Trust Disputes, and Conservatorships. She earned her Juris Doctor from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2008 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a Minor in Japanese from the University of Arizona. While in law school, Michelle participated in the Civil Litigation Clinic, where she represented victims of property fraud schemes who lacked the resources to hire legal counsel.

Dan began practicing law in 1989 with the Salt Lake City law firm of Kimball, Parr, Crockett and Waddoups. He subsequently joined his father-in-law in his practice in Heber Valley. Shortly thereafter, he was asked to join the County Attorney’s staff in Wasatch County, and served as Deputy County Attorney. Dan became the County Attorney in 1993, and served as the chief prosecutor and civil attorney for Wasatch County. As such, he successfully prosecuted felony and misdemeanor cases in state and local courts. He also helped write the land-use code for Wasatch County and represented the County in all civil matters. In 1999, the County Commissioners asked Dan to oversee the establishment and development of several special service districts in Wasatch County. Dan served as general manager and attorney for up to six special service districts for approximately 16 years. In that capacity, Dan oversaw the financing and construction of over $200 million worth of water infrastructure. He has worked on numerous land-use, development and water projects in and around Wasatch County. Dan grew up in Wyoming, but has lived and practiced law in the Heber Valley for the past 25 years. He and his wife, BettyJo, are the parents of seven children. He enjoys backpacking, mountaineering and poking around in old mines. He speaks some Japanese, and is working on learning French.

Edward Ramos

Coral Gables, FL

Edward Ramos is a graduate of Yale Law School and a partner with KKTP. Edward's practice focuses on litigating immigration-related cases in the federal courts. He has helped clients overcome denials in a broad range of practice areas, including employment-based visa petitions (such as H-1B, and I-140 petitions), family-based visa petitions, terminations of regional centers in the EB-5 Program, and EB-5 visa petitions (I-526 and I-829). Several of Edward's cases have been national class actions. He has represented the American Immigration Lawyers Association and immigrants' rights organizations in several friend-of-the-court briefs in the Supreme Court of the United States. Edward also assists clients with complex matters before administrative immigration agencies, including United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the immigration courts, and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Edward is passionate about immigration law, and he enjoys the challenge of litigating novel and complex issues to help his clients obtain their immigration goals.

Courtney Cooper

Sandy, UT

Courtney Cooper is an Of Counsel Founder at Rudd Cooper, specializing in family law, civil litigation, and international transactions. She is admitted to the bars of New York and Utah and is conversant in Japanese.

Fay Katayama

North Hollywood, CA

Fay Katayama is a seasoned attorney specializing in all facets of commercial law, both transactional and litigation. Her experience ranges from entity formation to complex purchase and sale agreements, and representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Fay attended Baylor University, graduating in 2001 with a degree in sociology. She then attended Chapman University’s Dale E. Fowler School of Law, graduating fourth in her class in 2009. At Chapman, she was Managing Editor for the Chapman Law Review, an Academic and Dean’s Fellow, co-President of the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, and a member of Phi Alpha Delta. Her case note, “How Much Spam Can CAN-SPAM Can?” was published in the Touro Law Review. Fay is conversationally fluent in Japanese.

Nathan Whittaker

El Segundo, CA

Nathan Whittaker is an experienced litigation attorney focusing on civil litigation and appellate practice. He has briefed and argued 16 appeals and over 80 dispositive motions. He defends business owners, construction companies, and trucking companies, handling various insurance defense cases. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University and Lewis & Clark College, admitted to the Utah State Bar in 2008.

Kyle R. May is a trial attorney and partner at May, Rammell & Wells, specializing in Criminal Defense, Family Law, Civil Litigation, Personal Injury, 1983 Civil Rights, and Wills, Probate, and Estates. He is licensed in all Idaho state and federal courts, including the Idaho Supreme Court and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Sarah B. Landau

Houston, TX

Sarah Beth “Sorcha” Landau is a former Justice on Texas’s First Court of Appeals and an Assistant Federal Public Defender, bringing extensive appellate, trial, and commercial litigation experience to Roberts Markland LLP. She clerked for Hon. Vanessa D. Gilmore and is an adjunct professor at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Sorcha earned her J.D. from Columbia Law School and degrees from the University of Minnesota. She is fluent in Japanese and proficient in French and Spanish, and actively contributes to the Houston community through civic and professional initiatives.

Ainy Gu

Pasadena, CA

As Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at the Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates (PPRCLAW), Ainy Gu has been the driving force behind the firm’s transformation from a boutique legal practice into one of Southern California’s most trusted full-service litigation and business law firms. With over 15 years of leadership at PPRCLAW, she brings deep operational expertise, long-standing media experience, and a sharp strategic vision to elevate the firm’s performance, growth, and public presence. A veteran journalist and media strategist, Ainy continues to serve as a prime-time news anchor and political correspondent, specializing in complex legal and public affairs reporting. She brings this rare dual perspective to the legal field-guiding PPRCLAW’s case positioning, brand messaging, and reputation management with a journalist’s instinct for narrative and a strategist’s eye for public perception. At the firm, Ainy oversees end-to-end operations, including infrastructure development, HR, finance, marketing, bilingual communications, and client experience. Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling the firm’s operations while preserving its core values: integrity, service, and legal excellence. Born in China and raised in Japan, Ainy’s multicultural upbringing deeply informs her leadership style and client-centered approach. As the head of the firm’s bilingual and bicultural engagement programs, Ainy has played a key role in making legal services accessible to diverse demographics, especially first-generation immigrants and underserved communities. Her work has expanded PPRCLAW’s footprint across Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Valley, and beyond. Under Ainy’s strategic leadership, PPRCLAW has emerged as a dynamic legal brand-respected not only for courtroom results but for its adaptability, operational excellence, and trusted voice in the legal and public space.

Chris P focuses on auto accident and personal injury cases. Chris P manages all aspects of our personal injury caseload as well as our litigated matters. Chris P cares only about one thing: helping our clients recover, physically and financially from their injuries. Chris P grew up in Corpus Christi, TX. He is a reservist with the U.S. Air Force, and is fluent in Mandarin and Japanese. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking and learning about aviation.

Hee Jae Chung

San Rafael, CA

Hee Jae Chung is a skilled California business and intellectual property attorney at Chapman Law Group, specializing in business law, intellectual property, corporate governance, and commercial disputes. She has five years of experience at leading Japanese law firms, advising on cross-border transactions and IP matters. She holds an LL.M. from UC Berkeley School of Law and studied at Nagoya University and Keio University. Admitted to the California State Bar in December 2024, she is fluent in Korean, conversational in Japanese, and brings a nuanced understanding of global markets.

Cara Szeles

New York City, NY

Cara Szeles joined Merson Law, PLLC in 2023. She received her law degree from Brooklyn Law School and she holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Utah. Her creative background has shaped her unique approach to law, fostering strong communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills that enhance her legal practice. Her scholarly work advocating for anti-discrimination law for the LGBT community in Japan is published in the Virginia Journal of International Law. She also served as an executive board member of the Brooklyn Journal of International Law. During law school, Ms. Szeles was also a member of Alternative Dispute Resolution Honors Society. She competed and coached in various nationwide interscholastic competitions in the disciplines of negotiation and mediation. She undertook additional responsibilities by joining a committee. While earning her undergraduate degree, she also spent a year studying abroad at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan, where she completed an intensive Japanese language and cultural immersion curriculum. She received a JASSO award: an honors scholarship for international students who excel in their studies at Japanese universities. Ms. Szeles is proud to work alongside the Merson Law team in their pursuit of justice.

Christian Liepert

New York, NY

Christian Liepert is a Business Development Consultant, founder and CEO at AXIKON. He specializes in advising companies on accessing and developing business in Europe, particularly Spain and Germany. He is multicultural, fluent in Spanish, German, and English, with experience in international business development projects across Germany, Spain, U.K., Mexico, and U.S.A. He established AXIKON and Partners, S.L. in 2004 and has been responsible for the development of the InterConnect Group since 2016.

Kensuke Fukuchi earned his B.A. in Criminology and Latin from the University of Toronto in 2009 and then went on to get his J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, MN in 2012. Kenny has previously worked as a contract attorney handling Social Security Disability and multinational litigations. He worked as a Japanese interpreter and translator in variety of industries. Kenny has an abundance of experience and knowledge in the legal field, and he will be taking on the firms’ Social Security Disability, Workers’ Compensation, and miscellaneous cases. He has been spending his spare time getting settled in and becoming familiar with all Maine has to offer. *Pending admittance to practice in Maine*