Portuguese-Speaking Attorneys

Clemens Soares

Hollywood, FL

Clemens Soares graduated cum laude from Saint Thomas University Law School after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Business. During her distinguished career, she has served the Brazilian community for the past 15 years in various capacities and also served as the judicial intern to the Honorable Lody Jean in the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida, located in Miami, FL as well as the Honorable Judge Towbin-Singer in the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Ms. Soares was able to accomplish all of those goals while also raising two children with her husband. Ms. Soares was born in Brazil and lived in New York before making South Florida her home. Ansel & Miller is proud to have her as part of the team in continuing to provide the highest quality of service to injured clients.

Vicente Rafael Perez Carreno is a Florida Foreign Legal Consultant in Venezuela Law, certified by the Supreme Court of Florida through the Florida Bar, and an Attorney admitted to practice law in Venezuela. He is currently pursuing admission into the Louisiana State Bar Association. His professional experience includes roles as a Foreign Legal Consultant, Senior Immigration Paralegal in multinational law firms, and business owner. He specializes in international business transactions, tax planning, immigration and naturalization Law, and assisting clients with temporary work authorization, U.S. permanent residency, and U.S. citizenship. Mr. Perez Carreno is a Former President and Director of the Venezuelan Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, Central Florida Chapter. He received his Master of Laws (LLM) in International and Comparative Law from Northwestern University, College of Law in Chicago, Illinois.

Matthew D Hendricks was born in Idaho and moved to Utah after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law in order to pursue a career in criminal defense. Matt earned a Bachelor’s of Science from Brigham Young University - Idaho in Business Management with an emphasis in Marketing. He then continued his education by earning a Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law. While attending law school, Matt was able to practice law under a limited license in both Idaho and Washington, working on dozens of cases. Matt focuses his practice strictly on criminal defense law. While Matt is fluent in Portuguese, he constantly strives to improve his Spanish to better aid his clients.

Kathryn E. Fuoco

East Providence, RI

Kathryn has lived in Rhode Island her entire life. She resides in Johnston with her family and her Old English Sheepdog. Kathryn attended the University of Rhode Island graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies and a minor in public relations. In 2018, she graduated cum laude from Roger Williams University School of Law. While in law school, she worked as a library student assistant in the law library and became a Certified Mediator. Throughout law school, Kathryn completed a judicial internship with Magistrate Judge Sullivan and internships with the Rhode Island’s Office of the Attorney General and the Rhode Island Law Revision Department. After graduating law school, Kathryn spent one year as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Debra L. Olsson of the appellate division of the Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Court. During her time at the Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Court she drafted appellate division decisions for matters on appeal from the trial court.

Tatiana Froes

Phoenix, AZ

Tatiana Froes practices in the areas of Social Security Benefits and ERISA disability claims with additional expertise in consumer law, immigration law, bankruptcy, and collections. Tatiana is licensed as an attorney in Arizona, Portugal, and Brazil and has been practicing in the United States since 2004. Tatiana has a unique educational background, having grown up in Brazil before attending high school in the United States, and obtaining degrees from universities in Brazil and the US (LLM-Master of Laws in Transnational Business Practice). This diverse past helps Tatiana to be a strong advocate for clients from all walks of life. Tatiana is also a blogger at Realtactics4disabilityclaims.com and the author of the book “Real Tactics for Filing Your Disability Claim” (Available on Amazon)**. In her spare time, Tatiana enjoys flying as a private pilot and she is involved with parrot rescues. Tatiana is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.

Ryan Platt has multiple six figure settlements under his belt, speaks Spanish and Portuguese fluently, and has proficiency in Hebrew and Italian. He has worked as counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, and got his start representing corporations and insurers. This gives Ryan valuable insight into opposing council’s thought process and counteroffers for Workers’ Compensation cases. It allows him to anticipate arguments and formulate counter points in order to reach a quicker and move favorable outcome for his clients. “I decided to go into workers’ compensation because it means I get to represent people instead of companies,” Ryan said. “That means a lot.” One of Ryan’s most enviable traits is his ability to empathize with his clients. Fighting for their justice invigorates him. He excels in litigation and does not shy away from taking a case to court if a promising settlement can’t be reached. Ryan is not afraid of hard work. In fact, he is an avowed perfectionist. “Everywhere I go, I have an expectation that my work will be as close to flawless as possible,” Ryan said. To relax and unwind after a workday Ryan enjoys exploring his neighborhood in Portage Park, traveling, reading, and playing with his two children.

Anthony F. Santacroce

Hartford, CT

Anthony is a graduate of Quinnipiac School of Law and has been an attorney for over 30 years. He started his career as a plaintiffs' personal injury attorney at Solomon and Stanton in Meriden representing plaintiffs in personal injury matters and trials. He then worked at the Law Offices of Dahlmayer, Labiner and Santacroce as in- house counsel for Home Insurance Company, representing personal and commercial clients as defendants in personal injury lawsuits. His final position before joining in-house counsel for Nationwide Insurance was as Managing Trial Counsel for General Accident Insurance. As Managing Trial Counsel, he was in charge of the Connecticut trial office. Besides his administrative duties as manager, he maintained a full caseload and continued to do trial work. In 1989 he joined Nationwide Insurance as a senior trial attorney, in order to concentrate on trial work. In his 30+ year career with Nationwide, he has tried over 100 jury trials for both personal and commercial clients. He has also negotiated settlements on behalf of thousands of Nationwide clients. He has tried cases involving auto and boating accidents, including fatalities; dram shop (liquor liability); accidental drownings and fire legal liability for both commercial and personal clients. Some of his commercial clients were among the largest companies in the U.S. In addition to his trial practice, he brought many cases to successful conclusion utilizing arbitration and mediation hearings. Lastly, Anthony has been appointed to and has served as a Special Master in Hartford Superior Court for the past 20+ years. In that role, he has rendered written decisions in hundreds of cases that Hartford Superior Court has assigned him to adjudicate. After retiring from Nationwide, Anthony wanted to return to where he began his legal career in representing plaintiffs in personal injury matters. He is currently of counsel at Polinsky Law Group,LLC. He is involved in all aspects of litigation, including negotiating settlements and bringing cases to successful resolution by mediation, arbitration and trial.

Attorney with more than 25 years of experience. primarily practices in Worcester County districts court, Worcester superior court Worcester probate & family court and Worcester hearings division of office of Hearings and Appeals Social Security Administration.

Shakayle Grant

West Palm Beach, FL

Shakayle Grant is an associate in the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Division. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University and received her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2015. While in law school, she clerked for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and the State Attorney’s Office, and participated in legal clinics. Before joining the firm, Ms. Grant practiced criminal defense and landlord-tenant law. She is a member in good standing with the Florida Bar.

Jonas Bastien

Lexington, KY

Jonas Bastien is an attorney whose practice focuses on healthcare regulatory, transactional, and corporate law, as well as active litigation in state and federal courts. He graduated from the University of Louisville with a B.A. in political science in 2018 and received his J.D. from the University of Kentucky Rosenberg School of Law in 2021. At UK, he served as president of the Student Bar Association, contributed to The Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Law, and founded the Bourbon Legal Society. He has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers and “Ones to Watch” by Best Lawyers in America in 2024 and 2025. He is licensed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Eastern and Western District of Kentucky.

Natalia Ribas serves as a Personal Injury Legal Assistant at the Law Offices of James A. Welcome. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Law and uses her understanding of civil and common law systems to improve case management and client communication. Having resided in the U.S. for five years, Natalia is fluent in Portuguese and English, serving a diverse client base with clarity and professionalism.

Attorney Paulo Tanasio is a Rhode Island and Massachusetts licensed real estate attorney with over 24 years of experience helping clients purchase, sell, lease, and develop real estate. He is fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese. Paulo is passionate about protecting his clients and helping them achieve their goals. He is an excellent communicator and is well known for his skills in explaining the law in a clear and understandable manner. He is empathetic and will work very hard getting his clients what they want, when they want it.

Johnatan D’Alcantara

Libertyville, IL

Johnatan D'Alcantara is an Associate attorney at Salvi & Maher, LLP. Originally from Brazil, he earned his LL.B. from Faculdade Baiana de Direito in 2020 and his LL.M. from the University of Illinois College of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Brazil (2020) and Wisconsin (2025). He is fluent in English and Portuguese.

Benjamin Baumer

Oxnard, CA

Ben Baumer joined Lowthorp Richards in February 2019 to practice civil litigation. He is a member of the California State Bar and the Central Coast District Court Bar. He speaks and writes proficiently in Spanish and speaks Portuguese conversationally.

Matthew D. Ekins

St. George, UT

Matthew D. Ekins is a seasoned attorney with a focused practice for individuals and small businesses. Communication with the client, loyalty, and dedicated service are his practicing trademarks. Work and case load primarily focuses in three areas of the law: business, estate planning/probate and real estate. He has practiced law since 2008 and is admitted to Utah and Nevada. Prior to the practice of law, Mr. Ekins worked in the Title Industry for nearly 4 years. Mr. Ekins served as the Southern Utah Bar President in 2015, Southern Utah Estate Planning Council Director in 2012-2014 and is a member of the IHC Dixie Regional Professional Advisory Council. As legal counsel he enjoys working with the widow, the elderly, the veterans and the educators to ensure their rights and interests are protected. Mr. Ekins frequently presents educational topics to these groups and participates in reduced fee or pro bono activities for these people. Author Large-Scale Disasters Attacking the American Dream: How to Protect and Empower Homeowners and Lenders Western New England Law Review, Volume 30, Number 2, 2008. Fluent in Portuguese.

Matthew D. Ekins

Las Vegas, NV

Matthew D. Ekins is a seasoned attorney with a focused practice for individuals and small businesses. Communication with the client, loyalty, and dedicated service are his practicing trademarks. Work and case load primarily focuses in three areas of the law: business, estate planning/probate and real estate. He has practiced law since 2008 and is admitted to Utah and Nevada. Prior to the practice of law, Mr. Ekins worked in the Title Industry for nearly 4 years. Mr. Ekins served as the Southern Utah Bar President in 2015, Southern Utah Estate Planning Council Director in 2012-2014 and is a member of the IHC Dixie Regional Professional Advisory Council. As legal counsel he enjoys working with the widow, the elderly, the veterans and the educators to ensure their rights and interests are protected. Mr. Ekins frequently presents educational topics to these groups and participates in reduced fee or pro bono activities for these people. Author “Large-Scale Disasters Attacking the American Dream: How to Protect and Empower Homeowners and Lenders” Western New England Law Review, Volume 30, Number 2, 2008. Fluent in Portuguese.

Mr. Margetts’ experience includes tax planning for business formations, financings, acquisitions, reorganizations, and liquidations; advising on tax aspects of complex business and real estate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and like-kind exchanges; design and implementation of deferred compensation arrangements and equity incentive plans; resolution of federal and state tax controversies; and formation and qualification of exempt organizations. Mr. Margetts also has extensive estate planning experience, including the design, drafting, and implementation of sophisticated estate plans to meet unique tax and nontax objectives.

Chris Whitten

Memphis, TN

Chris Whitten is a first-generation American who grew up in Memphis. He received his undergraduate degree in philosophy from Vanderbilt University and his Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law. With 13 years of experience, including roles as a litigation preparation attorney, prosecutor, and public defender, Chris is an effective advocate. He can provide advice in both English and Portuguese.

Carlos Puerto

Orlando, FL

Carlos Puerto has been a partner of MPM Abogados since its foundation. He heads the areas of Urban and Real Estate Law, Property Management and Corporate Law of the firm. He has extensive experience in administrative, urban and real estate law, property, social and environmental management in infrastructure projects. He worked as a lawyer in the firm Pinilla González & Prieto Abogados, was responsible for the property management and legal defense of the Fund for Prevention and Attention to Emergencies of Bogotá, as well as responsible for the Internal Group of property, environmental and social management of the National Institute of Concessions (INCO), today National Infrastructure Agency, among other positions in the private and public sector. Carlos was professor of Urban and Real Estate Law at Universidad Sergio Arboleda, professor of the Specialization in Urban and Real Estate Law at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana UPB in Medellín and professor in the Specialization in Urban Law at Universidad del Rosario. Currently, he advises road concessions and construction companies such as: Concesionaria Ruta del Sol SAS, Concesionaria Autopistas de la Sabana S.A., Concesionaria CCFC S.A, Concesionaria Autopistas del Sol S.A., Yuma Concesionaria S.A., and Concesionaria Transversal del Sisga SAS, Ingisa Inmobiliaria SAS, Ingisa Constructores SAS, Ingisa Procidra SAS, Proyectos e Inversiones Egreci SAS, Inversiones Alcabama S.A, Hitos Urbanos S.A, Ambientti Constructora Inmobiliaria S.A, Constructora Kovok S.A, Sanchez Blanco y Cia, Constructora Villa Angela Ltda and Consorcio Constructor S.A.

Jaime G. Richards

Ogden, UT

Jaime G. Richards was born and raised in Ogden. Before law school, he had a career in real estate development and finance. He decided to become a lawyer because he likes working with people and problem-solving. He is fluent in Portuguese.

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

Joseph A. Heath

Raleigh, NC

Joseph Heath completed his law degree at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Law in 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in European Studies from Brigham Young University (2016) and a Master of Science in Russian and Eastern European Studies from the University of Oxford (2017). He is fluent in English and Czech, and proficient in Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian. He enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with his wife, Paige.

Ana Ferreira

Philadelphia, PA

In 2015, I became the founding member of Ferreira Law, a full-service boutique immigration law firm designed to provide guidance and professional legal services to the immigrant community located in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. As a child of immigrants and as a first-generation citizen, I am deeply passionate about the immigration process. Both my parents and my in-laws came to the United States to seek a better life for themselves and their families. I was fortunate enough to grow up in Philadelphia’s deeply rich Portuguese community, and had the pleasure of directly witnessing families achieve their own personal American Dream. Unfortunately I am also all too familiar with families being torn apart by our nation’s harsh immigration system. With this background, I knew from a young age that I wanted to focus my career on helping immigrants achieve their goals. My legal career began at The Pennsylvania State University, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Crime, Law and Justice. I went on to attend law school at The Delaware Law School where I represented indigent clients in court as a certified legal intern for The Delaware Law School Criminal Defense Clinic. After law school, I served as a Judicial Fellow to the Honorable Joseph Fernandes at the Family Court of Philadelphia. Now, I utilize my background and legal expertise to do what I love most -strive to assist each and every one of my clients in achieving their own version of the American Dream and provide competent and thorough legal services to members of my beloved community. I am fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. I am licensed to practice law in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey