Polish-Speaking Attorneys

Henry Apryasz

Passaic, NJ

Henry Apryasz dedicates his practice to representing individuals injured due to negligence, focusing on workers' compensation law and personal injury. He regularly appears in courts throughout New Jersey.

Joanna Kluzowska

Downers Grove, IL

Joanna P. Kluzowska is an associate attorney with Kathleen T. Zellner & Associates since her admission to the Illinois Bar in January of 2021. Prior to becoming an attorney, she worked as a law clerk for Ms. Zellner for two and a half years. Ms. Kluzowska has experience assisting clients in criminal appeals and petitions for post-conviction relief. She also assists Ms. Zellner and Mr. Johnson in a wide range of both criminal and civil matters, including civil rights and medical malpractice.

Olga A. Allen

Chicago, IL

Since 2007, Olga A. Allen has concentrated her practice on all areas of family law, including complex settlement and litigation, negotiating marital settlement and custody agreements, preparing prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, financial issues including dissipation and asset tracing, and appellate practice. She seeks to help clients pursue their goals and reach resolutions that provide financial, as well as emotional, satisfaction. Ms. Allen's successes are both in and out of the courtroom, due to her belief that an experienced practitioner should first explore settlement as an option, but be prepared to litigate at a moment's notice.

Jacek Zapotoczny

Clifton, NJ

Jacek Zapotoczny, Esq. focuses his practice on personal injury litigation. He is fluent in Polish and is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey. He is a member of the New Jersey Bar Association and Bergen County Bar Association, and previously served on the District IIB Ethics Committee of the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Zbigniew “Zibi” J. Bednarz

Chicago, IL

Zibi has represented non-English speaking clients for his entire career and is happy to provide a level of service that can only be achieved when a client can communicate with an attorney in the language of his or her choice.

Mariusz Kurzyna

Silver Spring, MD

Mariusz Kurzyna has over 15 years of experience representing workers in labor and employment law matters. He is fluent in Polish and Spanish and focuses on employment law, including minimum wage, overtime, unpaid wages, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, wrongful discharge, and alternative dispute resolution.

Joanna Plonska joined David Horowitz, P.C. in September 2019. Her practice focuses on drafting pleadings for personal injury actions. Prior to this, she was a defense attorney, bringing a dual perspective to her cases.

Olga Stambler

Chicago, IL

Olga Stambler is a partner at Hurst, Robin, Kay & Allen, LLC with almost 30 years of legal experience, focusing exclusively on family law. She handles all aspects of domestic relations litigation, including child support, maintenance, custody, visitation, marital estates, post-decree matters, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, and grandparent/sibling visitation. Olga is a Cook County Domestic Relations Division court-approved mediator, trained in Collaborative Practice, and an adjunct professor at DePaul University College of Law teaching Family Law Mediation.

Olga Baginski

New York, NY

Olga Baginski is an associate attorney at Block O’Toole & Murphy, fluent in English, Polish, and Russian. She began as a paralegal at the firm and is now dedicated to representing injured clients, particularly within the Spanish-speaking community. She holds a law degree from Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno and an LL.M. from Fordham University School of Law.

Viktoriya Dyrda

Independence, OH

Attorney Viktoriya Dyrda’s passion for justice and compassion for defending her clients’ rights combined with her carefully crafted approach to every case provides individuals with the needed guidance to make well-informed and strategic decisions. Viktoriya is an established advocate who offers dedication and forthright advice on the best course of action in each case. Originally from Ukraine, Attorney Dyrda speaks fluent Ukrainian and Russian. Ms. Dyrda’s experiences as a translator allow her to readily assist clients from Eastern Europe in understanding the legal nuances of the American justice system.

Olena Bedenko-Zvarydchuk

Seattle, WA

Olena Bedenko-Zvarydchuk is an Associate Attorney at HWS Law Group, based in the firm’s Seattle office. She brings a thoughtful, analytical, and globally informed approach to litigation and client advocacy. Olena supports clients across a wide range of civil litigation matters, with a focus on delivering practical, result-oriented legal solutions.

Alexander Michael

Palos Heights, IL

Alexander Michael is an attorney with a diverse practice in Immigration, Family, and Criminal Law. He has represented clients in Immigration matters in 20 different states and successfully handled divorce, custody, and criminal matters. He participated in the defense of the brother of former Illinois Governor Robert Blagojevich. He was the 2011 Lawyer’s Committee “Volunteer of the Year” and speaks English, Assyrian, and Polish.

Veronica Kazanowski, Esq.

St. Petersburg, FL

Veronica Kazanowski is a second-generation immigrant from Poland. She is fluent in Polish and English. Growing up in a small immigrant community here in the Tampa Bay area, Veronica has first-hand experience with the struggles that families from all walks of the world deal with while chasing the American dream of U.S. citizenship. This is why she has dedicated her life to helping families find success and will leave no stone unturned when it comes to fighting for you and your loved ones. Veronica focuses her practice on U.S. Immigration, Personal Injury, Probate, and Real Estate matters.

Valerie M. De Peppo-Malloy

Staten Island, NY

Valerie is a valued member of the Savino & Smollar team. She specializes in Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability, advocating tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the benefits they deserve. At Savino & Smollar, we prioritize our clients and their well-being-you won’t just be another case number.

S. Aaron Tenenbaum

Glenview, IL

S. Aaron Tenenbaum, principal attorney, attended undergraduate studies in the Russian Federation and graduated from DePaul University College of Law. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar and licensed to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 1998. When Tenenbaum Law Group, a d/b/a of Slava Aaron Tenenbaum, Chartered, was created in 1999, he focused largely on representing those wrongfully injured by others and held drivers and property owners accountable for their negligent actions or failure to act. Attorney Tenenbaum comprehensively evaluates and finds unique solutions for each client’s individual situation, often involving various legal implications. In 2002, attorney Tenenbaum received a Distinguished Service Award from the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) Foundation. Attorney Tenenbaum is fluent in Russian and Polish. He is actively involved in the community by sponsoring and participating in various events.

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.

Maciej B. Zebrak

Baltimore, MD

Meet Maciej B. Zebrak, a dedicated Car Accident Lawyer. Maciej B. Zebrak is a Virginia litigation attorney at Attorney Big Al- The Law Office of Richard Klein’s Richmond office, specializing in personal injury. Maciej completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). After VCU, Maciej earned his law degree from University at Buffalo Law School. Born in Poland, Maciej is bilingual, and he spent his teenage years in Northern Virginia. Maciej has considerable experience trying cases throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. He prioritizes client communication and client satisfaction. During his free time, Maciej enjoys spending time with his wife, exercising, and watching Sci-Fi movies. He is also an avid retro video game collector.

Sarah L. Merkatoris

Schaumburg, IL

Sarah L. Merkatoris is an enthusiastic and forward-thinking Associate Attorney at Glasgow & Olsson, bringing sharp analytical skills, innovative problem-solving strategies, and a relentless commitment to client success in criminal and family law. She joined the firm in 2023, contributing her strategic insight to a firm known for excellence in litigation and negotiation. Sarah earned her Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law in 2022, graduating in the top 25% of her class and receiving multiple CALI Awards. Prior to law school, she built a career in supply chain management, mastering high-stakes negotiation and strategic planning. Her legal experience includes serving as a municipal prosecutor and an associate attorney at a general practice firm, handling local prosecutions, civil disputes, and administrative appeals. She has successfully litigated and secured orders of protection, won her first felony trial, and skillfully settled financially significant cases. Sarah is also a published author, contributing a chapter on defending DUI cases for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education manual. She holds a Certificate in Healthcare Compliance, providing specialized knowledge in healthcare regulations and professional licensing.

Julia Gazecka

Jacksonville, FL

Julia Gazecka is an Associate at Shuster Saben Estevez, representing medical providers on personal injury protection claims. She graduated from DePaul University with a major in Political Science and a minor in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and from DePaul University College of Law in 2017. She is a member of the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association and the Jacksonville Bar Association and is fluent in Polish.

Ilona Shtark

Brooklyn, NY

Ilona Shtark is an Attorney at Law admitted to practice in New York State and licensed in New Jersey, New York, and Florida as a Home Loan Consultant. She holds an LLM from St. John’s University School of Law and is a member of the New York Bar Association. Ilona specializes in Family Law, Real Estate, Estate Planning, Elder Law, and mortgage-related matters. Born in Ukraine and raised in the United States, she is fluent in Russian, Ukrainian, conversational Polish, and English.

Malgorzata Rafalko

New York, NY

Malgorzata Rafalko, also known as Maggie, is an Associate Attorney with nearly two decades of experience in no-fault litigation and arbitration. Originally from Poland, she brings a unique perspective and a strong commitment to overcoming legal challenges, prioritizing client trust, communication, and constructive negotiation.

Marlena Konopka

Columbia, MD

Marlena Konopka is a first-generation Polish American and a passionate immigration attorney. She earned her B.S. degree in International Politics from Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service and her Juris Doctor degree at American University Washington College of Law. She previously worked as a paralegal for the Fraud Section of the U.S. Department of Justice and gained extensive experience representing clients in immigration matters before the Immigration Court, USCIS, and consulates abroad. She is admitted to the Virginia State Bar and is fluent in Spanish and Polish.

As Managing Partner, Daniel J. Savino Jr. has dedicated his time and effort to building a strong, capable legal team ready to tackle any challenge. Savino & Smollar wouldn’t be the firm it is today without his leadership and commitment to the community. Daniel entered the legal field with one goal in mind-helping people. Workers’ Compensation exists to support individuals injured or harmed on the job, and he is passionate about ensuring his clients receive the benefits they deserve.

Nathan Evans

Birmingham, AL

Nathan Evans earned his undergraduate degree in English from Brigham Young University in 2001 and his J.D. from William & Mary Law School. He was admitted to practice law in Tennessee in 2005 and in Georgia in 2022. He is fluent in Polish, Czech, and Ukrainian, having learned them during a two-year mission in Chicago, Illinois.