Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

Amy Morilla

Stratford, CT

Attorney Morilla is a licensed practitioner in Connecticut and New Jersey, admitted to their respective federal courts, and an esteemed member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Holding a Juris Doctorate from Rutgers Law School in Newark, she actively contributed to the Minority Student and Hispanic Student Associations and engaged in Pro Bono Clinic work. With a Bachelor's Degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish Literature from New York University, Attorney Morilla's linguistic prowess extends to fluency in Spanish, proficiency in French and Portuguese. As a first-generation Cuban American, English is her second language, akin to many of her clients. Her family's history as Cuban exiles fuels her commitment to aiding immigrant families in pursuit of the American Dream. Having personally navigated the challenges of the legalization process, Attorney Morilla is dedicated to helping families stay united. Her unique background fosters a compassionate understanding of the immigrant experience, creating a client relationship that demystifies the legalization process. She firmly believes in breaking down legal complexities for every client, regardless of their level of education, ensuring that nothing feels too daunting to comprehend.

Constance M. Toomey

Boston, MA

Senior Associate Constance M. Toomey has dedicated much of her life to helping car crash victims, and injured workers get back on their feet. She graduated magnum cum laude at Suffolk University Law School in 1999 with a Juris Doctorate. Her compassion and her ability to get justice for her clients have earned her the respect of both her colleagues and adversaries in the courtroom.

Maureen Minson

St. George, UT

Maureen Minson is a Partner at Bangerter Frazier Group, joining in April 2018 and becoming Partner in January 2022. She specializes in Family Law, including divorce, custody, adoption, guardianship, protective orders, and name/gender changes. Her practice also covers personal injury, estate planning, and general civil litigation. Maureen is fluent in Spanish and has prior experience as a Staff Attorney at Utah Legal Services, Inc. (2015-2018) and State Law Librarian (2014-2015). She serves on the boards of Servant Forge and the Dove Center, and on the New Lawyer Training Program Committee with the Utah State Bar.

Jennifer Valenzuela is a Personal Injury Litigation Attorney and proud native of the Coachella Valley. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Ms. Valenzuela is passionate about advocating for injured individuals and helping clients navigate the legal system with clarity and confidence. Ms. Valenzuela earned her Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University, where she was named to the Dean’s List and served as Vice President of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. While in law school, she participated in the Sixty Plus Estate Planning Clinic, gaining valuable hands-on experience in drafting Wills and Trusts for underserved seniors. Ms. Valenzuela also holds a Bachelor’s Degree from California State University, San Bernardino. Since entering the legal field in 2018, Ms. Valenzuela has focused on civil litigation, with an emphasis on personal injury matters. They are an active member of the Warren Slaughter-Richard Roemer American Inn of Court and the Desert Bar Association, where she continues to foster professional growth and community engagement within the legal field. Outside of work, Ms. Valenzuela enjoys exploring new places, getting lost in a good book, writing creatively, and spending quality time with her family and beloved dogs.

Darren J. Van Blois

Oakland, CA

Darren J. Van Blois has over 12 years of experience in civil litigation, managing all aspects of pre-trial litigation and trial preparation. He has handled cases involving rollover accidents, traffic collisions, asbestos exposure, sexual abuse of minors, traumatic brain injuries, and paraplegia.

Angel Melendez

Boston, MA

Angel Melendez is a distinguished partner and founder at Williamson & Melendez, PLLC. He was admitted to the Bar in both Massachusetts and Pennsylvania in 1986. He holds a B.A. from Rutgers University and a J.D. from Northeastern University (1983). Prior to his legal career, he served as a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1974 to 1980. He is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and is a founding father of Lambda Sigma Upsilon, Latino Fraternity Incorporated.

EricaRae Garcia is an associate attorney in Weitz & Luxenberg's Drug and Medical Device Litigation group. She focuses on cases involving defective devices and products, including JUUL e-cigarettes and hair relaxers causing cancer. She is fluent in English and Spanish.

Alberto Rodriguez

San Antonio, TX

Alberto Rodriguez graduated from high school at the CC Winn Campus in Eagle Pass, Texas, in May 2001. From there, Mr. Rodriguez graduated cum laude from The University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelors degree in Political Science in May 2005. Mr. Rodriguez attended Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and graduated with his JD in May 2008. Mr. Rodriguez then worked in private practice until he became an Assistant District Attorney for the 293rd Judicial District in March 2010. As an Assistant District Attorney, Mr. Rodriguez prosecuted all types of juvenile and felony matters for the State of Texas. Mr. Rodriguez now works in the Eagle Pass office for The Law Firm of Oscar A. Garza, PLLC, and now fights to protect client’s rights. Mr. Rodriguez now focuses on personal injury cases and criminal defense at both the state and federal level.

James Randall Krenis is an attorney with over 25 years of legal experience. He founded Krenis Law in 2015. He formerly served as a hearing officer for the Tennessee Board of Ethics and was a member of the Board of Governors for both the American Association for Justice and the Tennessee Association for Justice. He is bilingual in Spanish and English and is a member of Mensa International. He has been recognized as a 'Rising Star' by Super Lawyers and received the Platinum Client Champion Award in 2018 and 2024, and the Clients' Choice Award in 2018.

Megan E. Coleman

Greenbelt, MD

Megan E. Coleman is a Partner at MarcusBonsib, LLC, specializing in criminal defense and appellate law, with extensive experience in Maryland State and Federal Courts. She has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star.

Steven H. Heldt

Lexington, NE

Steven H. Heldt is a retired attorney admitted to practice in Nebraska and U.S. District Court since 1979. He was involved with the Nebraska State Bar Association and Dawson County Bar Association.

Sylvano Alvarez

Alexandria, VA

Sylvano Alvarez is an attorney who transitioned from a career in tech in San Francisco to law, graduating with honors from David A. Clarke School of Law. He is licensed to practice in Virginia and is fluent in Spanish, reflecting his Hispanic and Salvadoran heritage.

Anna M. Grand-Lege

Lafayette, LA

Anna M. Grand-Lege is a partner at Gibson Law Partners, LLC. Ms. Grand-Lege received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with a minor in Mass Communications from Loyola University New Orleans in 2006. She later earned a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the University of New Orleans before going on to earn her Juris Doctor and Diploma in Comparative Law from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. While she was in law school, Ms. Grand-Lege was an active member of the Trial Advocacy Board and placed third in the nation at the American Bar Association Arbitration National Finals. Ms. Grand-Lege has experience in handling mass tort and toxic tort litigation and has been named as one of the top lawyers in immigration law by Acadiana Profile magazine each year since 2017. Her practice focuses on litigation of complex matters involving professional liability, commercial litigation and general casualty defense. She is admitted to practice before all Louisiana courts and each of the federal district courts in Louisiana.

Chris Daines

Logan, UT

Chris Daines has over three decades of experience helping clients with family law, business litigation, and real estate matters. He is conversant in Spanish and has worked in various roles including professor of business law.

Jesse Robert Harper

Valparaiso, IN

Jesse Robert Harper, a native of Porter County, Indiana, graduated from Valparaiso High School, earned his B.S. from California State University Northridge, and his J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law, where he was in the Honors Program. He primarily practices criminal defense and personal injury, having tried numerous cases in various Indiana courts and Federal Court. He is a member of the Indiana Bar Association, Porter County Bar Association, and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and is actively involved in his community, including serving as Center Township Trustee.

Arturo Cazarin

Newport Beach, CA

Arturo Cazarin is a Litigation Attorney at Alvandi Law Group, where he champions the rights of employees. Licensed in both Mexico and California, Arturo pairs trial-ready advocacy with deep cross-border insight gained from years advising multinational companies on complex corporate, labor, immigration, and real-estate transactions. Arturo draws on a global academic background-an LL.M. in U.S. Law (Business & Corporate Certificate) from Washington University in St. Louis, School of Law, a Master’s in Mexican Corporate Law from Universidad Anáhuac, and a Law & Finance Bachelor’s Degree from Tecnológico de Monterrey-to craft strategies that resonate in court and at the negotiation table. Before joining Alvandi, he served clients across the U.S. and Mexico as foreign associate counsel, off-counsel, and corporate attorney, experience that now informs his plaintiff-side perspective and results-driven approach. Arturo is known for clear communication, practical solutions, and unwavering commitment to securing favorable outcomes for the employees he represents.

Carl Hernandez III

Provo, UT

Carl Hernandez III is "of counsel" to Pacific Legal Group, specializing in immigration law, small business representation, estate planning, and municipal law. He is an Associate Professor of Law at J. Reuben Clark Law School and previously served as Assistant Dean. He is active in the community, serving on several boards.

Melissa Dieken

Abilene, TX

Melissa started working in law offices when she was 16 years old in a high school work program. In the past 30 years, she has held every administrative and paralegal position imaginable. She has attended more depositions, mediations, focus groups, and trials than most West Texas lawyers. She has assisted in the investigation, preparation, litigation, and trial of multi-million-dollar lawsuits, including car wrecks, 18-wheeler involved fatalities, oil field explosions, and on-the-job injuries (most involving catastrophic injuries or death). What she does best, however, is take care of her clients. Whether it’s answering discovery or fighting with an insurance company over medical care, she always has her clients’ best interest at heart. Outside of the legal business, Melissa enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends in Abilene, Texas

Christopher A. Leal

Dallas, TX

Christopher Leal earned his bachelor's degree from University of California, Los Angeles, and then received his Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University in Washington. During his time in law school, he served as a legal intern for the Honorable Superior Court Judge Clary. He is a civil litigator with a background in consumer credit and personal injury. Licensed in Texas as well as Tennessee, Christopher is a first generation American and the first attorney in his family. Christopher is a strong negotiator with a focus on providing clients with the best representation and getting clients the best outcome possible. In his free time, he enjoys discussing cinematography and film production.

Dannick G. Villaseñor-Hernandez

San Antonio, TX

Dannick G. Villaseñor-Hernandez is a partner at Espinoza & Brock, PLLC, originally from Weslaco, Texas. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin and in the top 12% of her class from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2011. She has extensive litigation experience, including trucking and commercial vehicle accident cases, and has presented cases at trial and appeals. She is actively involved in the Bexar County Women’s Bar Association and serves as Regional Coordinator for the Texas High School Mock Trial Competition.

Thomas Carroll Blauvelt

East Brunswick, NJ

With over 22 years of experience, Thomas Carroll Blauvelt has personally handled over 10,000 New Jersey Municipal Court cases. His past experience includes roles as a municipal prosecutor, public defender, and insurance company lawyer. He is also involved in teaching law to peers and students.

Leonard grew up in a suburb of Chicago as the oldest of seven children and as a result developed his advisory and communication skills at an early age. He attended Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois and then University of Notre Dame in South Bend Indiana. Before attending Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, he traveled abroad for 6 months, attempting to be understood in Spanish, German, French, and Greek with limited success. He is a trial lawyer with experience in criminal defense, family law, probate, and personal injury litigation. He was a pro-term Circuit Court judge appointed by the governor. For 45 years, he traveled statewide in this capacity and also presided over the Clackamas County night court for almost 45 years. Len and his wife have three daughters attending elementary and high school in Lake Oswego. The Kovac girls are all musicians, athletes, and scholars, keeping their parents busy with their obligations to orchestras, pep bands, soccer teams, and school and dance teams.

Attorney Michael H. Applebaum has more than 50 years of legal experience as a criminal defense attorney. He has tried hundreds of cases and defended thousands of clients in criminal cases. His professionalism, conversational style, statesmanlike honesty and tenacious skilled trial methods have earned him the respect of judges, jurors, clients, associates and the community as a whole. Mr. Applebaum has defended clients in cases ranging from minor traffic infractions to homicide charges. He defends adults and juveniles, and he has experience defending clients against state and federal charges. In addition to his vast legal experience, Mr. Applebaum also has a strong business and financial acumen, which is often a significant benefit in cases involving allegations of fraud and financial crimes and has proven successful countless times. Mr. Applebaum cares about each of his clients and believes strongly that every person accused of a crime has a right to a zealous defense. He believes that a committed and knowledgeable defense attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of cases and strives to achieve the best possible outcome for each of his valued clients.

Williams H. Nicholson, IV

Greenwood, SC

W.H. “Will” Nicholson, IV joined Nicholson, Meredith, & Anderson in 2014. He helps victims of injuries due to negligence, including motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, and slip and fall accidents. He graduated from the Charleston School of Law with a Juris Doctor and from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Minor in Spanish. He is a member of the South Carolina Association for Justice, The South Carolina Bar Association, and The Greenwood County Bar Association.