Russian-Speaking Attorneys

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.

William Kibbe

Charlotte, NC

William Kibbe is an attorney passionate about helping personal injury clients. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and his Juris Doctor from Elon University School of Law in 2021. Admitted to practice in North Carolina in 2022, he is known for his tenacious advocacy.

Hovsep Hovsepyan

Glendale, CA

Hovsep Hovsepyan is a skilled litigation attorney at KAASS Law, specializing in complex litigation and arbitration. He holds an LLM from UC Berkeley School of Law, a Ph.D. from the Public Administration Academy of the Republic of Armenia, and LLM and LLB degrees from Yerevan State University. He is licensed in California and the Republic of Armenia and is fluent in multiple languages.

Yan Rudikh

Old Bridge, NJ

Yan Rudikh is a highly skilled and compassionate attorney fluent in Russian. He specializes in Bankruptcy Law (Chapter 7 and Chapter 13), Criminal Law, Family Law, Immigration Law, DUI/DWI and Traffic Violations, and Civil Litigation. He earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Seton Hall Law School and holds a triple major from Rutgers University. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and is an active member of the New Jersey State Bar.

Natavan Reinwald

Chicago, IL

Natavan Reinwald is an Immigration Attorney specializing in employment-based petitions, EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, TN, L, R, H petitions, J-1 Waivers, U-Visas, family-based petitions, 601 Waivers, Adjustment of Status, and Citizenship Applications. She is fluent in Azerbaijani, Turkish, and English, and can read and understand Russian.

Ian Hartsfield

Los Angeles, CA

Of Counsel attorney who combines legal knowledge with a passion for people to provide vigorous representation. Previously worked in foreclosure defense and bankruptcy.

Walter Hodynsky is an attorney with Milavetz Injury Law, P.A., assisting clients with debt relief, bankruptcy, and family law matters such as custody, divorce, and grandparent visitation rights. He also represents employees in discrimination, harassment, and unemployment compensation cases, and practices in estate planning (wills, trusts, power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney), Criminal Law, and probate. He is a Qualified Neutral Under Rule 114, Minnesota Supreme Court, and handles arbitrations under the MN No-Fault statute.

Anthony Makarov joined Gersowitz Libo & Korek as an intern during his second year of law school and became an associate in 2018 after graduating. Mr. Makarov handles catastrophic personal injury and medical malpractice cases, working on all aspects from initial investigation to trial. He has drafted and argued summary judgment motions in New York state courts. Recently, Mr. Makarov prepared a case and assisted senior partner Jeff Korek in a trial that resulted in a $2.7 million jury verdict. He also obtained a $587,000 jury verdict as lead counsel for a 69-year-old woman with rib and clavicle fractures. Mr. Makarov attended Fordham University School of Law, where he was a member of the International Law Journal. During law school, he interned at the New York Legal Assistance Group's Elderly Law Unit, assisting English and Russian-speaking clients with advanced directives and supplemental needs trusts. He also participated in successful Medicaid expense reductions and challenged reductions in home care hours. Mr. Makarov was a member of Fordham Law's Criminal Defense Clinic, providing legal aid to those who couldn't afford an attorney. He recently presented on the Child Victims Act for the New York Bar Association's Legal Referral Service, discussing its impact on child sexual abuse victims.

Ilya Filmus

Lafayette, CA

Ilya is passionate about fighting on behalf of the underdog - whether it be an employee who is mistreated in the workplace, a person who is injured, or a small business. Prior to entering private practice, Ilya externed for the Honorable D. Lowell Jensen (Ret.) of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, as well as for the Honorable Ming C. Chin of the Supreme Court of California. Ilya is a cum laude graduate of University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where he served as the Managing Editor of the Hastings International & Comparative Law Review. Prior to law school, Ilya graduated magna cum laude from UCLA with a double major and minor. Ilya launched his legal career more than a decade ago at Downey Brand LLP where he represented a variety of clients, such as individuals and publicly traded companies. Ilya then joined a tech company as its General Counsel and then became General Counsel for a government agency that has an approximately 50 million dollar annual budget. As General Counsel, Ilya assisted defending his clients in actions involving employment and personal injury claims. As the founder of Infinity Law Group, Ilya grew the practice through an early establishment of trust and results.

ARUS ARUSTAMYAN

Las Vegas, NV

Arus is a paralegal with a rich background and a keen interest in both the arts and legal affairs. Born and raised in Armenia, she brings a distinctive perspective to her work. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Art History and expanded her expertise by obtaining a Certificate of Nursing Assistance, reflecting her commitment to caregiving. Her journey into the legal realm was solidified with a certificate in Paralegal Studies from UNLV, establishing her as a proficient and knowledgeable professional. As a Notary Public in Nevada, Arus verifies legal documents’ authenticity. Speaks English, Armenian, and Russian, she adeptly communicates with a diverse clientele. Outside of her professional endeavors, Arus enjoys exploring new destinations, indulging her culinary passions, and cherishing quality time with her family. Music also holds a special place in her life, providing solace and inspiration in her daily life. With her blend of cultural insight, linguistic fluency, and genuine dedication to helping others, Arus continues to make valuable contributions to our legal team while embracing her personal interests and connections.

Alexander Gruzmark

Glenview, IL

Alexander Gruzmark, born in Lvov, Ukraine, immigrated to the U.S. in 1978. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Loyola University in 1992 and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law in 1998. Practicing law in Illinois for over 20 years, he previously worked for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office and volunteered at Loyola's Free Legal Aid Clinic. He is dedicated to providing outstanding legal services and personalized attention to his clients.

Eduard Braun

Sherman Oaks, CA

Eduard Braun is the founder of Law Office of Eduard Braun, PC. He is an attorney who can speak Hebrew and Russian.

Michelle R. Fishman

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Michelle R. Fishman is a dedicated family law attorney focusing on divorce, paternity, marital and paternal settlement agreements, domestic violence injunctions, adoptions, and post-judgment modifications. She is a first-generation American and fluent Russian speaker, bringing a unique cultural perspective to her work.

Stanley Boukanov

Silver Spring, MD

Stanley Boukanov is a Senior Paralegal who speaks Russian and English. He handles all aspects of case files prior to litigation, focusing on maximizing client compensation for vehicle damage and personal injuries. He has over seven years of experience in personal injury claims with the firm and provides leadership in case management. He also served as a Russian interpreter for US Forces in Kosovo.

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.

Ihab Ibrahim

Jersey City, NJ

Ihab Ibrahim founded Ihab Ibrahim Law Firm in Jersey City in 2014. He provides sound legal counsel and is dedicated to his clients, fighting tirelessly for their rights. He is a seasoned lawyer with over a decade of experience, known for building personal connections with clients.

Stacy Klozow

New York, NY

Stacy Klozow graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in May 2009. During law school, Stacy was heavily involved in campus affairs including Miami Law Women and the Real Estate & Trust Law Society, for which she served on the Executive Board. She also interned for the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office in the felony division. Stacy earned Bachelor’s degrees, magna cum laude, in Advertising and Psychology from the University of Florida.

Ulyana Grichener focuses her practice in the area of first-party insurance litigation, where she is an advocate for policyholders. As a Partner at the firm, Ulyana has been representing residential and commercial property owners in recovering monetary damages for losses incurred due to denied or underpaid insurance claims for over 7 years. Prior to joining WEK Law, Ulyana worked for an insurance defense firm in Hollywood, Florida for just under 4 years where she gained invaluable insight into the internal world of insurance companies. Originally from Philadelphia, Ulyana received her Bachelors of Business Administration, with a minor in legal studies, from Temple University, Fox School of Business, where she held the Philanthropist Chair for Phi Alpha Delta, Temple Chapter. After her undergraduate studies, she attended New York University, School of Continuing Studies, receiving a Paralegal Certificate. Ulyana then relocated to South Florida where she received her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University, School of Law, with a Certification in Intercultural Human Rights. While in law school, Ulyana was the executive editor of the Intercultural Human Rights Law Review, served as the President of the Student Bar Association and the Jewish Law Students Association, as well as a member of Phi Alpha Delta, Mentschikoff Chapter, and the Elder Law Society. On her free time, she loves spending time with her husband and their three children. Ulyana is a soccer mom who enjoys the beach, reading books, coffee and shopping. She is fluent in Russian and licensed to practice not only in Florida but also in New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Kate Ogorodnik

University Place, WA

Kate is a personal injury paralegal with over 14 years of experience. Kate graduated in 2008 from Whatcom Community College with an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies. She started her career in law while interning for the Whatcom County Public Defender’s Office and shortly thereafter joined a local Worker’s Compensation firm in Bellingham, WA. After moving to the greater Seattle area she found her niche in personal injury law. At the Law Office of Blake Kremer, Kate is responsible for the day-to-day handling of cases including opening claims with insurance companies, property damage assistance, providing clients with treatment process guidance, gathering and analyzing medical information, drafting and compiling demand packets, and disbursing settlement funds once a claim is resolved. Kate also assists attorney Blake Kremer with all the litigation production in the event a suit is filed. Kate is originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, and speaks both Russian and Ukrainian languages.

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.

Anzhela Hovhannisyan

Encino, CA

Anzhela Hovhannisyan earned her Juris Doctor degree, Summa Cum Laude, from the French University in Armenia and Université Jean Moulin Lyon III in Lyon, France. She also holds multiple LLM degrees. She began her legal career in 2013 as a legal consultant and later worked at a prominent law firm in Yerevan, Armenia. She joined Davana Law Firm in September 2024.