Russian-Speaking Attorneys

Zhenia Burgis, Esq.

Sherman Oaks, CA

“Mrs. Burgis is a BRILLIANT writer and an amazing advocate and person. She strongly believes in honesty, loyalty, and respect; she abides by these laws in dealing with those around them. She is a fighter and one of the most aggressive advocates I know.” - Michael Burgis, Esq., Managing Attorney. Zhenia Burgis graduated with honors with a B.S. in Business Administration from the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California (USC). In May of 2008, Mrs. Burgis graduated in the top 20% of her class from Southwestern University School of Law, where she was a member of the Southwestern Law Review and received CALI awards in Legal Research and Writing. Mrs. Burgis became licensed to practice law in December of 2008. From 2008 to 2013, Mrs. Burgis primarily devoted her practice to defending labor and employment related matters in both the public and private sectors. In April of 2013, Mrs. Burgis joined Michael Burgis & Associates, P.C. to chair the firm’s Labor and Employment Division. Mrs. Burgis brings the insight and experience of employment defense strategy to the Plaintiff’s side, applying her knowledge and expertise to effectively represent employees who have been subjected to unlawful employment practices, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination. Mrs. Burgis has extensive motion, deposition, and courtroom experience; she takes an aggressive approach to litigation to obtain the maximum results for her clients. Mrs. Burgis is also fluent in Russian and semi-fluent in Spanish.

Elitza “Ellie” Z. Miltcheva grew up in Sofia, Bulgaria. She emigrated to the United States in 1995, and graduated from the College of Charleston (Charleston, South Carolina) in 1999 with a degree in political science (magna cum laude). She also studied Russian and French in college, which she speaks with some fluency whenever possible. Ellie attended Florida Coastal School of Law (Jacksonville, Florida) and graduated in 2010. She spent time working in the legal field in South Carolina before exploring the West, first in North Dakota, then Colorado, and most recently Montana. She has worked primarily in indigent criminal defense and construction law. Although inactive, she is a member of the South Carolina bar in addition to being licensed in Montana. As part of the Brown law firm, Ellie assists with construction defect cases.

Stephanie M. Davis started practicing juvenile dependency law in January 1989. She has represented parents, relatives, children, and foster parents in juvenile dependency courts. She also spent many years as a juvenile dependency appellate attorney and served as a judicial officer in the Los Angeles Juvenile Court for over 16 years before rejoining the firm.

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.

Ms. McBride is an associate in the firm’s estate planning and taxation group. Her practice focuses on estate and gift tax planning, probate and tax administration, and guardianship and conservatorship law.

Michelle Dor is a skilled litigation attorney at LA Century Law, representing injured clients in personal injury and tenant rights litigation. She is fluent in English and Russian and earned her Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School.

Abduaziz Isakulov

New York, NY

Abduaziz 'Aziz' Isakulov is an attorney at Oddo & Babat, bringing international experience. He obtained his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in May 2025 and is admitted to the New York State Bar. He holds an LL.M. in International Dispute Resolution from Fordham University School of Law (2020) as a Fulbright Scholar, and an LLB in International Law from Tashkent State University of Law (2017). He was a visiting scholar at the World Trade Organization (2022-2023) and taught at Tashkent State University of Law (2017).

Dallin Morrow

Layton, UT

Dallin Taylor Morrow is an Associate Attorney at LeBaron & Jensen, specializing in personal injury, wrongful death, probate administration, and divorce mediation. He is also a certified social worker and has experience conducting internal investigations for a pharmaceutical corporation in Washington D.C.

David Shlepakov

Boston, MA

Attorney David Shlepakov was born in Haifa, Israel, and practices law in Boston, Massachusetts. Fluent in English, Hebrew, and Russian, David brings a unique perspective to his work. His path to law was shaped by personal experiences and years of hands-on work in the construction industry. He is dedicated to advocating for individuals whose lives have been upended by the negligence of others.

Vahan Yepremyan

Los Angeles, CA

Founder of Yepremyan Law Firm with extensive academic and professional background. Graduated Magna Cum Laude from UC Berkeley and earned a JD from USC Law School. Has received numerous awards for ethical standards and professional excellence.

Nikolaos Keffalonitis

Downey, CA

Nikolaos "Nikos" Kefallonitis was born and raised in Athens, Greece. He attended the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Law, graduating in 2016. He completed a legal traineeship and passed the Greek Bar Examination. He holds a Master of Arts degree from Panteion University and an LL.M. from the University of Virginia School of Law (2020). He is licensed in Greece and California and is currently an Associate Attorney at The Law Offices of Gavril T. Gabriel.

Maria Merman

Chicago, IL

Maria was born in Moscow, Russia and moved with her parents to Chicago at the age of fourteen. As a first-generation immigrant, Maria learned first-hand the value of hard work in order to excel and achieve her dream of becoming an attorney. She brings the same work ethic to the courtroom, tirelessly advocating for her clients. Being fluent in Russian, Maria understands the challenge that some non-native English-speaking clients face when trying to navigate their legal rights. Maria’s goal is to ensure that all individuals, injured due to no fault of their own, are treated fairly and not taken advantage of by insurance companies.

Nurlan Makenov

Charlotte, NC

Nurlan Makenov is a senior paralegal in the Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation Departments of the Firm. Mr. Makenov assists our attorneys with the investigation of new claims, coordination of client’s medical treatment, and the preparation of lawsuits and claims. Mr. Makenov obtained his Law Degree in 1999 from the National Law University in Kazakhstan. He specialized in civil and commercial litigation for 16 years in Kazakhstan before he moved to USA in 2018. During that time, he successfully represented clients in lawsuits against insurance companies, financial institutions, and government agencies. He is licensed to practice law in Kazakhstan only. He is not licensed in NC or SC. He is fluent in English, Russian and Kazakh, which is essential in helping our foreign national clients.

Elen Sahakyan is a litigation attorney specializing in employment law, personal injury, and tenant rights. She is committed to providing personalized, results-driven legal representation. With a focus on clear communication, Elen makes complex legal matters accessible, empowering her clients to make informed decisions. Guided by Stoic principles of wisdom, courage, and justice, Elen approaches every case with strategic thinking and high ethical standards, ensuring that her clients receive the best possible representation.

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.

Aiman A. Dvorak

Kansas City, MO

I was born and raised in Almaty, Kazakhstan. That is where I started my legal career. After moving to Kansas City, which for the last decade has become my second home, I pursued a J.D. from the UMKC School of Law. Upon graduation, I served as a law clerk for two different judges, at both trial and appellate level. Through this experience, I was exposed to various areas of law, which helped me realize that I would like to devote my career to helping individuals in enforcing their civil rights. Because of my background, I have a special understanding and appreciation for the rights of those who are underprivileged and underrepresented that fuels my tireless efforts to achieve fair and just results for those clients.

Mila Movchan

Boca Raton, FL

Mila Movchan is a dedicated paralegal with a passion for justice and advocacy. Born and raised in Ukraine, Mila’s journey in the legal field began with her pursuit of higher education in civil law. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil law in Ukraine in 2010, laying the foundation for her career in the legal profession. Driven by a hunger for new experiences and opportunities, Mila embarked on a new chapter by moving to California in 2014. There, she furthered her legal education and expertise by obtaining a Paralegal Certificate, enhancing her skills and knowledge in the complexities of the American legal system. In 2019, feeling nostalgic for the warm Black Sea of her childhood, Mila made the move to the sunny shores of Florida. Despite the change in scenery, her dedication to her legal career remained unwavering. In Florida, Mila continues to pursue her passion for advocating for people’s rights and upholding the principles of justice, and in 2023 she joined Grossman Attorneys at Law. Mila’s background and linguistic abilities are valuable assets in her legal practice. Fluent in Russian, Ukrainian, and French, she possesses the unique ability to effectively communicate with foreign Defense Base Act claimants, fostering trust and understanding in often complex legal proceedings. Outside of her professional endeavors, Mila finds joy in spending time at the beach and exploring new destinations through travel. Her diverse background and experiences shape her perspective and drive her commitment to making a positive impact in the legal community and beyond.

Suren Agadzhanov is a partner at H&A Law Office, PC, specializing in employment litigation for employees in state and federal courts and arbitration. He has dedicated his entire professional career to representing employees, prosecuting cases on behalf of mistreated workers. He has helped recover millions of dollars for aggrieved employees. Suren is fluent in Armenian and Russian.

Paul Darakjian joined the Law Office of NANCY E. LUCIANNA, P.C. in 2016, focusing on research & writing. He is an experienced appellate advocate and a member of the Bergen County Bar Association. Before joining the firm, he clerked in the Bergen County Superior Court. He is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School (J.D. 2010) and Bucknell University (B.A. 2010).

Mark Rubashkin

Los Angeles, CA

Mr. Rubashkin is a skilled litigator with many years of experience in personal injury law. Originally working with house counsel at one of the largest insurance companies in the nation, Mr. Rubashkin dedicated his career to representing plaintiffs exclusively. Mr. Rubashkin speaks Russian fluently.

Robert Zakaryan leads an experienced team of personal injury attorneys at Zakaryan Law Group, providing compassionate support and expert legal representation to individuals and families. He is dedicated to advocating for clients and striving for maximum compensation in personal injury cases.

Ilona Manzyuk returned to Sacramento after law school to provide a valuable resource to the community she grew up in. While pursuing her law degree from Regent University School of Law in Virginia, Ilona interned with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute in Washington D.C. This comprehensive experience gave her an insight into policy and legislation that she uses while representing clients who have been injured in the scope and course of their employment. She prioritizes consistent communication and tireless attention to detail, leaving no stone unturned in the service of her client. Ilona is a native speaker of both Ukrainian and Russian and will extend Eason & Tambornini’s Workers Compensation services to Sacramento’s Slavic community.