Romanian-Speaking Attorneys

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.

Lisa Ciharan

Chicago, IL

Lisa Ciharan is an attorney at Rapoport Sims Perry & VanOverloop, P.C., dedicated to representing individuals injured due to negligence. She is known for her meticulous preparation, clear communication, and relentless pursuit of successful outcomes in negotiation and litigation. Fluent in Romanian, she is actively involved in the Romanian-American community in Chicago. She holds a J.D. from DePaul College of Law and a B.S. from The Ohio State University. She has been recognized as a Leading Lawyers Emerging Lawyer and an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star.

Kristina Potra

Suwanee, GA

Attorney Kristina Potra attended Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia and graduated in May of 2001, a year after her husband, Attorney Cornel Potra. While in law school, Attorney Kristina won the semi-finalist award in the Mock Trial competition. She also held an active role as a pastor’s wife helping her husband pastor a local church. During Attorney Kristina’s years in law school, the Potra family had two energetic children, and before Attorney Kristina graduated, their number increased to three. After graduation, Attorneys Potra moved to Georgia where Attorney Kristina became a member of the Georgia Bar in 2002. Over the years, she has enjoyed closely working with her husband as they established and steadily developed the firm. For years, she focused primarily on personal injury cases, and through that area of law, she brought variety to Potra Law Firm’s practice. Now, she continues to play an essential role at Potra Law Firm both as a Partner of the firm, and by working together with Attorney Potra to expand the firm and enlarge its community impact. In her spare time, Attorney Kristina enjoys building her family by spending time and being involved with the couple’s now five children and their activities. What she loves most about being a Partner at Potra Law Firm is the opportunity to contribute to the growth of its employees, and by extension, to the growth of the community in which Potra Law Firm serves.

Ana Maria Ene

Houston, TX

Ana Ene has been practicing law in the Houston area since graduating from law school in 2011. Ana has devoted her practice to representing plaintiffs in various types of civil suits, either in insurance disputes, personal injury matters, or business disputes. She has represented hundreds of policyholders in property insurance disputes with their insurance carriers at every stage of the litigation process, including settlement negotiations, trial, and appeal, in both state and federal courts throughout Texas.

Oana Brebenel

New York, NY

Oana Brebenel, Esq. has successfully represented individuals and major corporations in complex litigation. She has handled numerous insurance defense and tort claims, obtaining favorable results defending a myriad of claims involving catastrophic losses that potentially exposed clients to significant judgments. Ms. Brebenel has consistently demonstrated an ability to promote her clients' interests on both trial and appellate levels.

Adriana Cioara is an attorney at The Ward Law Group, specializing in representing car accident victims in Florida and New York. With over 8 years of experience, she brings a strong background in law and business, implementing innovative strategies to streamline operations and deliver justice. Originally from Romania, she is passionate about advocating for immigrants and ensuring equal access to justice.

Emil Lax is a partner of Segal & Lax and a capable Manhattan personal injury attorney. He concentrates his practice in the area of civil tort litigation. He is a member of the New York and New Jersey State Bar Associations and admitted to practice in Federal Court. He is also a member of the New York Trial Lawyers Association. In 1975, he graduated from Brooklyn College, with honors, and later completed his legal studies at Touro School of law, where he was a member of the Law Review. Endeavoring to assist injury victims from all walks of life, he speaks French, Hungarian, Italian, and Romanian. After taking a case, Emil takes time to explain to his clients how things usually proceed. The legal process can be very overwhelming to victims of injury who never expected to be in this situation, and Emil’s guidance provides them a point of reference that is very reassuring. Clients are so appreciative of his service that much of his business comes from references alone. A defining moment in his career was when he became connected with the idea of how helpful he can be to people through his profession, making a real difference in people's lives through personal injury law. He can represent individuals who suffered injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence, equally whether they could afford a lawyer or not. In the field of immigration, having been an immigrant himself, he can really identify with the struggles and challenges facing them and help them overcome such difficulties, including representing accident victims without legal status. He relates and connects on a human level with people, to build a trust and holistic approach to his clients issues. He is respectful and polite. Because of his knowledge of several languages he tries to interact with his clients in a very open and warm manner. Having been in practice for almost thirty years, he gained the knowledge and skills to pursue his client's rights to the maximum. The field of negligence law requires skills in advocacy, negotiation and a willingness to challenge the status quo. He feels that the years of experience and continuing legal education has instilled in him a willingness to think out of the box, find alternatives and be creative to obtain the best possible results for his clients. His elementary education was in Romania. Then he was two years in Italy where he worked for an immigration agency. While there he acquired fluency in Italian and studied English. His college and graduate education were in New York City. His hobbies include reading, cooking, baking, and travel. He participated as a soccer coach in youth leagues sponsored by his town and on various committees of his house of worship.

Athena S. Budac

Sacramento, CA

Ms. Budac is a litigation associate. She gained extensive experience as a paralegal, supporting attorneys in various stages of litigation. She has assisted in prosecuting complex suits in employment and labor law, including Fair Employment and Housing Act matters and Civil Rights claims under State and Federal laws. Additionally, she handled cases in personal injury and workers’ compensation as a legal assistant.

Giorgio is an experienced Civil Litigator with a demonstrated history of effectiveness inside and out of the courtroom. A native of Los Angeles, he attended undergraduate school at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he served two years as Chief Justice of the student body, ruling on matters ranging from academic and social violations to bribery, fraud, and larceny between or amongst the student body. After undergraduate school, Giorgio started his career in the financial industry, becoming the youngest Chief Financial Officer of a nationally-recognized commodities firm at the age of 21. Despite brokering multi-million dollar transactions, he knew that it was not his calling, and attended Southwestern University School of Law, where he graduated in the well known SCALE program, the first accelerated two-year program in the United States, graduating in 2014. In 2015, Giorgio was admitted to the State Bar of California, serving as In House Counsel for an entertainment production company, negotiating and drafting contracts between musicians and artists against corporate industry giants. Again, something was missing. As a automobile accident victim when he was just a young boy, Giorgio found his purpose by helping clients seek justice and the pursuit of their rights against those who have left them physically, emotionally and financially injured. He knows all too well how someone else’s intentional or negligent conduct can change the lives of the victim and loved ones. Giorgio is a firm believer that every case is unique because every person is different and has had their life changed in their own unique way. His experiences have shaped him into an aggressive but in-control advocate for his clients, representing them in all areas of personal injury, including automobile accidents, premises liability cases, wrongful death cases, boating accidents, and more. His thoughtful approach to each case found him selected to the Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers, a distinction only few achieve. As a personal injury victim who had no representation, Giorgio knows how important it is to have an attorney by one’s side that can relate to the human element of the experience.

Daniella V. Pascaru

New City, NY

Daniella Pascaru concentrates her practice on personal injury, workers’ compensation, and Social Security Disability, representing clients throughout New York State in Orange, Rockland, and Westchester counties, as well as the 5 boroughs. During law school, she clerked for a large Westchester County law firm and held a judicial externship with Judge Alfieri in Rockland County Supreme Court.

Dhespina Poreci

Boston, MA

Dhespina Poreci is an associate attorney at Thornton Law Firm LLP in Boston, Massachusetts. She began her career with the firm in 2016 as a paralegal before earning her law degree in the United States. A 2008 graduate of the University of Iasi Law School in Romania, she went on to receive her Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Suffolk University Law School in 2021. She is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and New York. Dhespina concentrates her practice in Massachusetts workers’ compensation, as well as toxic tort, pharmaceutical and medical device, and birth defect litigation. She is dedicated to advocating for individuals and families affected by workplace injuries, toxic exposures, and defective products.

Monica N. Bianu

Brooklyn Heights, OH

Monica N. Bianu earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2013. She was awarded her Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from The Ohio State University in 2008. Since graduating from law school, Mrs. Bianu has worked exclusively in plaintiffs' injury law firms, gaining significant experience in personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice law, handling hundreds of cases including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog attacks, and nursing home neglect. Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, she speaks fluent Romanian and volunteers with local organizations in the Greater Cleveland area.

Daniel Tirle

Virginia Beach, VA

Daniel Tirle is an attorney at Alperin Law, co-chairing the Tax Department. He specializes in proactive income-tax planning, advanced estate & gift tax design, charitable strategy, fiduciary income taxation, partnership & real-estate tax, IRS practice & procedure, and cross-border compliance. He holds a B.A. in Sociology from College of the Ozarks, a B.S. in Accounting from Western Governors University, and a J.D. from Regent University School of Law. He is fluent in Romanian and English.

Tatiana Fotescu

Charlotte, NC

Mrs. Tatiana Fotescu is an associate attorney at Latorre Law Firm, specializing in the field of U.S. Immigration Law. Mrs. Fotescu successfully executed diverse and complex nonimmigrant/immigrant petitions and applications, which resulted in favorable adjudications, and zealously represented clients before the immigration courts (EOIR) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Prior to immigrating to the United States, Mrs. Fotescu earned two law degrees (J.D. equivalent) from University of Bucharest and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne respectively. During her law school studies, she was actively involved in several student organizations and participated in international youth exchange programs in Europe and Asia. In addition, she worked as a legal intern at the Parliament of Romania, Moldovan Embassy to the United States of America, Canada and Mexico in Washington D.C. and at the New York office of the United Nations. Mrs. Fotescu moved to the United States to pursue her dream of having an international career. As an immigrant herself, she felt a strong motivation to start helping immigrants navigate the complex and continuously evolving system and ease the emotional rollercoaster which immigration entails. With great interest to become a licensed immigration lawyer in the United States, she graduated “cum laude” the LL.M. in Business Law program at Florida State College of Law, while being the LL.M. representative for the International Law Students Association and also a member of the Advocates for Immigrant and Refugees Rights organization and The Florida Bar International Law Section. Prior to joining Latorre Immigration Law Firm, Mrs. Fotescu worked for a private immigration law firm in Miami as an Associate Attorney gaining extensive experience in a wide range of immigration law issues.

Cornel Potra

Suwanee, GA

Attorney Cornel Potra attended Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia and graduated in May of 2000. During law school, Attorney Potra prayed about the area where God wanted him to live and the area of law that God wanted him to practice. He took the Washington State Bar Exam in 2000, and he began Potra Law Firm in the attic of his Virginia home in January 2001, where he first practiced immigration law. Shortly after his wife’s graduation from law school in 2001, they moved to Georgia to continue their work in this field, and he became a member of the Georgia Bar in 2005. Attorney Potra enjoys working in the field of immigration because this field enables him to integrate his education with his personal experiences as well as his passion for those new to this country. Attorney Potra sees immigration law as an opportunity to creatively and zealously fight for his clients.

Paula Candea

Arlington Heights, IL

Paula Candea is an attorney who uses her trial skills to advocate for injured clients, having previously served as an assistant state’s attorney prosecuting felony crimes. She is passionate about fighting against insurance companies on behalf of her clients. Born in Romania, Paula immigrated to the U.S. as a child and is fluent in Romanian and English. She treats clients with respect while being a zealous advocate.

Dan T. Danet

Tustin, CA

Dan T. Danet is a California attorney with a primary focus on ADA defense and real estate litigation. Prior to joining The Karlin Law Firm, Dan worked in the criminal defense field as a partner of an established Orange County defense firm. During this time, he managed a caseload of misdemeanor, felony, and post-conviction cases. This position afforded him the opportunity to gain extensive courtroom and litigation experience. In his spare time, Dan enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and traveling internationally.

Oleg Gherasimov

Towson, MD

Oleg brings more than a decade of legal experience and a deep, personal understanding of the U.S. immigration system. As both a skilled attorney and an immigrant himself, he draws on both legal expertise and personal experience to guide clients through even the most complex immigration challenges. He has worked with individuals and families from around the world, helping them achieve their immigration goals with thoughtful, strategic, and compassionate representation. Oleg understands that every immigration journey carries significant personal stakes-not only for his clients, but also for their loved ones in the U.S. and abroad. With Oleg, you’re not just hiring an attorney; you’re gaining a dedicated partner who has walked in your shoes. He sees the bigger picture and offers tailored solutions grounded in your unique story. Whether you’re just beginning your path to legal status or facing a tough obstacle, Oleg is committed to walking beside you-fighting for the best possible outcome with empathy, integrity, and determination.

Arinda Brooks

Chelsea, MA

Arinda Brooks founded Brooks Law in 2013 after specializing in Workers' Compensation law for seven years while employed at a boutique Boston worker's compensation law firm. During this time, Arinda honed her skills representing injured workers at the Department of Industrial Accidents, successfully taking hundreds of cases from initial claim filing, through final Hearing disposition and settlement. When she opened her own practice, Brooks Law, P.C. in 2013, she continued to focus on representing injured workers in their pursuit of workers' compensation benefits. Since opening Brooks Law, Arinda has added two additional attorneys, Jennifer Gesuladi and Ioana Conley to help manage her busy practice. Brooks Law is committed to serving a wide range of Massachusetts residents. The majority of the Brooks Law staff is bilingual and staff members speak Spanish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese and Romanian. In 2018, Arinda was the recipient of the Brazilian Worker's Center Award for Outstanding Legal Representation of the Brazilian Community. Arinda is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association Workers' Compensation Section and the Massachusetts Women's Bar Association.

Andra Fraiberg-Vetro

Farmingdale, NY

Andra G. Fraiberg-Vetro joined Grey & Grey in 2015 and practices in the Workers’ Compensation department. She is a graduate of St. John’s University and St. John’s University School of Law. She is fluent in Romanian.

Sabrina O’Brien

Middletown, CT

As an associate attorney at The Flood Law Firm, Sabrina brings a thoughtful, detail-driven approach to litigation. She focuses on delivering practical legal solutions and dedicated advocacy to every client. Clients appreciate her careful attention to their needs and her ability to break down complex legal issues into clear, actionable steps.

Romina Cimpoes, Esq. is an associate attorney at Avenue Law Firm, admitted to practice law in the State of New York. Her practice concentrates on real estate transactions and title matters. Before joining Avenue Law Firm, Romina developed extensive experience in real estate law through her work in the title industry. She managed a wide range of responsibilities, including title review and clearance, preparation of transfer documents and closing packages, resolution of complex ownership and title issues, and underwriting files for closing. Romina earned her first law degree abroad before relocating to the United States, where she obtained her LL.M. in Real Estate Law from Fordham University School of Law. Her academic training, coupled with her practical experience, enables her to approach each matter with both a global perspective and a deep understanding of New York real estate law. Romina represents buyers, sellers, and lenders in transactions involving condominiums, cooperative units, single-family and multi-family residences, and investment properties. She is known for her meticulous attention to detail, responsiveness, and commitment to protecting her clients’ interests throughout every stage of a transaction.

Ioana Enescu

Paramus, NJ

Ioana’s high school education began at Leysin American School in Switzerland where she graduated from in 2008. She then wished to remain in Switzerland and went on to Franklin University in Lugano, Switzerland where she studied Political Science and Marketing until 2009. She then transferred to Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey in 2009 and received her Bachelor of Science in 2013 with a major in Public Health and a minor in Psychology with a Certificate in Addictions. She earned her Juris Doctor from Widener University: Delaware Law School in 2016. During her time at law school she worked with the Pennsylvania Innocence Project and with the Judge Advocate General Corps in the Air Force. She also studied International Criminal Law and Corporate Law abroad in Switzerland and Italy. Other than English, Ioana fluently speaks Romanian, Moldavian, French, and is conversational in Spanish.

Sara Strom has practiced at top-tier law firms in the Midwest. She concentrates her practice in general liability litigation, civil litigation, property disputes, and personal injury. She is adept at handling exposure issues and personal injury claims, resolving matters involving catastrophic loss, property damage, premises liability, product liability, insurance coverage, and contractual disputes. Sara has drafted and argued numerous successful dispositive motions in both state and federal courts, and has won trials and multi-million dollar settlements. She has represented insurers, excess insurers, motor carriers, transportation and logistics companies, as well as retail and restaurant corporations.