Portuguese-Speaking Attorneys

Clara Cruzans

Kansas City, MO

Clara Cruzans is an essential part of the firm’s personal injury team, serving as a Legal Assistant committed to supporting clients during challenging times. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, Clara ensures that language barriers never prevent clients from receiving quality legal representation. She focuses on the pre-litigation phase, setting up client files, coordinating with insurance companies and medical facilities, and streamlining internal processes to keep cases moving smoothly. Clara goes beyond administrative tasks-she is often the first point of contact for clients, ensuring they feel heard and supported. She gathers medical records, maintains clear communication, and works closely with attorneys to facilitate seamless interactions between clients and legal teams. Her precision, compassion, and structure help create positive outcomes for clients. Originally from Argentina, Clara’s diverse background has shaped her adaptability and perspective. She lived with an American family in Mendoza during an exchange program, improving her English and gaining cultural appreciation. Later, she spent two years in Brazil, where she learned Portuguese and participated in volunteer work. Although she joined the firm with a background in business administration and no legal experience, her eagerness to learn and improve internal processes made her an indispensable team member. Clara’s passions include health, fitness, and music. She dedicates her time to weightlifting, studying sports nutrition, and playing soccer and volleyball. Though she’s been away from her piano and guitar, she hopes to return to making music soon. She also enjoys spending time outdoors and cherishes moments with her beloved cat, Nina. For Clara, her work is more than just a job-it’s about serving people when they need it most. She thrives in a culture where clients are treated like family and where every team member is dedicated to achieving the best outcomes. Her philosophy, “Live without regrets,” reflects her commitment to making the most of every opportunity, both professionally and personally.

Justin Carter

Boston, MA

Justin Carter is a Thornton Law Firm associate. He interned for the firm while in law school. A 2023 graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, he was Senior Editor of the Northeastern University Law Review from 2021-2023. He holds a magna cum laude degree from the College of New Jersey.

Celia Nascimento

Syosset, NY

Celia Nascimento is the office manager and head paralegal with over 14 years at the firm and more than 20 years of paralegal experience. She is fluent in Portuguese and knowledgeable in Spanish, enabling the firm to better serve its Latin American clientele. She is also a notary public for the state of New York.

Anthony Stuart

Portland, OR

Anthony Stuart joined Levine Law Center in 2019, bringing experience in family law, regulatory matters, governmental affairs, and corporate governance. Admitted to practice in Oregon and Florida (inactive), he focuses on providing clarity and confidence to clients in financial matters and achieving the best settlements or judgments. Anthony is fluent in Spanish and intermediate Portuguese. He was selected as a Rising Star in 2023 and was admitted to the practice of law in 2013.

Michael Winchester

Meridian, ID

Michael Winchester is Murray, Ziel, and Johnston’s primary criminal defense attorney for Eastern Idaho. His areas of practice include criminal law, administrative agency law, military law, government contracts, and land use. A fourth-generation Idahoan, Mike grew up working in his family’s agricultural business before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on September 11, 2001. He is a graduate of Ricks College (Ag Business), Brigham Young University-Provo (BS-Economics), and the University of Idaho College of Law (Juris Doctorate). Mike began his legal career in 2013 as a judicial law clerk. Following his clerkship, he served as a prosecutor for Bonneville and Jefferson Counties, handling a wide range of misdemeanor and felony cases. In 2020, Mike transitioned to a full-time defense attorney role at the National Guard Bureau, representing Soldiers across the United States. After his release from active duty in 2023, he returned to civilian courts as a full-time defense attorney in the region. He is proficient in Brazilian Portuguese and is learning Spanish.

Taimí Pabón

Kansas City, MO

Taimí Pabón Rodríguez serves as an Associate Attorney at Krause & Kinsman, working on the Boy Scouts of America case. She also works as an Immigration, Family and Torts Attorney in the courts of Puerto Rico. During her years in law school, Taimí served as a Legal Officer and Administrative Assistant at Estudio Legal 401, Inc., handling civil cases, and legislative matters. She worked pro bono at Sociedad para Asistencia Legal, best known as SAL, drafting legal memoranda for criminal legislation proposals. Taimí holds a master’s degree in International Protection of Human Rights from the University of Alcala de Henares in Spain.

Andrew Smith is an associate attorney with experience in litigation and immigration law, having practiced at international firms in Miami, Florida. He is fluent in Spanish and gained proficiency in French, Portuguese, and Italian during his time at BYU Law School. He also serves as an adjunct professor at BYU, teaching geography courses.

Andreza Chestnut

Deerfield Beach, FL

Doctora Andreza Fernandes-Chestnut is a Brazilian attorney licensed in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro since 2004. She began her legal career as an Assistant Prosecutor in Rio de Janeiro, with extensive experience conducting criminal investigations and communicating with law enforcement officers regarding juvenile offenders. She serves the firm as a legal consultant and investigator in immigration matters. She also worked as a commercial litigator and case manager for a prominent investment bank in Sao Paulo and as in-house counsel for the largest health insurance company in Rio de Janeiro.

Brenda Ramirez

Atlanta, GA

Brenda Ramirez was born and raised in Mexico City. She is fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. She gained professional experience in accounting, tax, and corporate law with her family’s firm in Mexico City. She also has experience in International Business as a business analyst for a multinational company. She spent four years in Bahrain doing freelance translation work and volunteering. Brenda graduated from the paralegal studies program at Boston University.

Flavia Bazzon focuses her practice on bankruptcy and debt relief, bringing a diverse background that includes experience as an Honors Hire Attorney for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where she gained expertise in federal tax law and financial regulations. She also co-managed an insurance and financial services company and operated a successful real estate business. Flavia is licensed to practice law in both Brazil and the United States, and her international training and multilingual fluency (English, Portuguese, Italian, conversational Spanish, working knowledge of French and German) allow her to serve a wide range of clients in Central Florida.

Jay Cohen

Deerfield Beach, FL

Jay brings more than 20 years of experience at Goldman Daszkal, coupled with his background as an insurance adjuster. A dedicated member of the pre-suit department, Mr. Cohen assists clients with property damage cases and supports attorneys in settlement negotiations. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Jay is a knowledgeable advocate who relentlessly champions clients’ needs.

Zachary William Rivera Weiss

Phoenix, AZ

Zachary Weiss is an Immigration Attorney at Ybarra Maldonado Law Group. A graduate of Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, he moved to Phoenix in 2017. His family's history in the Southwest and personal experiences with immigration inspired his career choice. He graduated summa cum laude from Boston University with a Philosophy major and Spanish Literature minor, and worked at a refugee center in Madrid. He is fluent in English and Spanish, and can read Portuguese.

Julio Perez

Syracuse, NY

Julio Perez is a Legal Assistant with a BA in International Relations from Yale University. He is passionate about helping others and is fluent in multiple languages, assisting clients with various legal issues including worker's compensation, immigration, and social security.

Colt R. Mund

Marriott-Slaterville, UT

Colt R. Mund advises clients in family law, criminal defense, civil litigation, estate planning, probate, and municipal law. He practiced law for seven years in Brigham City before joining Farr, Cragun & Berube, P.C. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a 'Rising Star' in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Colt received a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Utah State University and his law degree from Brigham Young University in 2017.

Travis Jenson

Surprise, AZ

Travis Jenson is a criminal defense attorney with the firm. He is passionate about vigorously defending clients against criminal charges. Over the course of his career, Travis has helped numerous clients protect their rights, freedoms, and futures in a range of cases. In addition to bringing his experience and skill to each case, Travis understands that every case is important to a client and gives his clients and their case the time and individual attention that they deserve.

Jonathon D. Green

Anchorage, AK

Jonathon D. Green specializes in regulated and unregulated public utilities, pipelines, and commercial law. He has extensive experience with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska and provides general counsel services to companies and nonprofits. He is multilingual, speaking English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Italian.

Gabriela 'Gabi' Jacob started her career as a corporate lawyer in Brazil. She moved to the U.S. in 2015, earning an LL.M. in U.S. Law magna cum laude in 2019. Admitted to the Washington Bar in 2020, she previously worked at a non-profit, successfully representing individuals for defensive asylum. She is native in Portuguese and barred in Brazil.

Julie M. Guerra

Boston, MA

Experienced litigation paralegal knowledgeable in preparing pleadings and exhibits, e-filing, legal research, and discovery production. Has worked on matters involving SPAM, POST, and MGC. Maintains working proficiency in Brazilian Portuguese. Certified notary public.

Skye R. Houck

Albany, NY

Skye R. Houck is an Administrative Specialist and Projects Paralegal at Monaco Cooper Lamme & Carr, PLLC, providing support to attorneys and administrative staff, managing client billing, vendor invoicing, and marketing initiatives. She also facilitates legal projects.

Maria del Carmen Vera-Diaz

Boston, MA

Maria del Carmen Vera-Diaz assists the Massachusetts injury attorneys at the law office. A native of Colombia who has also lived in Brazil, she serves as an interpreter for clients who speak Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese.

Marlon Orozco joined FBR in 2023, bringing experience in workers’ compensation and immigration law. He is a graduate of Hamline University School of Law. He is fluent in Spanish and conversational in Portuguese.