Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

Klaudia Jasinski

Chicago, IL

Klaudia Jasinski is a dedicated Illinois attorney with over a decade of experience in traffic and criminal defense law, including administrative Secretary of State hearings. She graduated summa cum laude from DePaul University and further expanded her international perspective through internships and delegations.

Rusty Levin

Studio City, CA

Rusty Levin is a partner at Levin & Nalbandyan, LLP, where he heads the workers’ compensation department. Since graduating from Loyola Law School with Honors, Mr. Levin has worked solely in the field of workers’ compensation, exclusively on the side of the injured worker. Mr. Levin’s passion for helping injured workers has led him to be a co-founder of Levin & Nalbandyan, LLP, where he is able to blend his compassion for injured workers and knowledge of the law to bring about swift and superb results for his clients. Mr. Levin has devoted his entire legal career to aggressively litigating workers’ compensation cases on behalf of injured workers, having litigated hundreds of workers’ compensation cases for his clients before workers’ compensation appeals boards throughout California. Mr. Levin’s experience makes him well-equipped to handle the complexities of workers’ compensation law from both a legal and practical perspective. As a result, Mr. Levin has been able to maximize financial settlements for his clients while also providing them with access to the medical treatment necessary to cure and relieve the effects of their industrial injuries. As a result of his aggressive hands-on approach, Mr. Levin has been able to recover millions of dollars for his clients.

Isaac Nieblas

Los Angeles, CA

Isaac D'Amore Nieblas is a passionate and dedicated trial attorney who advocates for workers in disputes against their employers. A graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law, Isaac built a strong foundation in civil litigation and has remained deeply committed to protecting the rights of individuals facing workplace discrimination, wrongful termination, wage and hour violations, and retaliation. Known for his empathetic approach and tenacious advocacy, Isaac brings strategic insight and personalized attention to every case he handles. He is proud to have achieved favorable outcomes for clients across a range of complex employment matters, earning a reputation as a rising star in the field. Before joining MSD, Isaac was an associate at a multi-state Am Law 100 firm, where he represented employers in a wide array of labor and employment disputes-experience that now informs his nuanced and effective representation of workers. Outside the courtroom, Isaac serves as Secretary of the Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association and remains actively involved in community initiatives that support first-generation attorneys and expand access to the legal profession.

Payman Tehrani

Rockville, MD

Payman Tehrani is a civil litigator and criminal defense lawyer. He has successfully tried and settled hundreds of cases in Maryland and Washington, D.C. state and federal trial courts. He is well regarded for his zealous representation, perseverance, knowledge, and creativity. Mr. Tehrani is a graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he was the Managing Editor of the Journal of Environmental Law. He served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Alexander Williams, Jr., and for two years as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Ann S. Harrington. Prior to co-founding the firm, he was an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Rockville, handling various municipal matters including zoning, contract disputes, and labor issues. He is licensed to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Natalia Ruggiero

Philadelphia, PA

Partner Natalia Ruggiero practices in various areas of immigration law, including family-based immigration, asylum, waivers of inadmissibility and unlawful presence, and removal defense. She received her Juris Doctorate from Temple University Beasley School of Law. Natalia is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania. A daughter of immigrants, Natalia is fluent in Spanish and she understands the anxieties that often accompany immigration processes. As a Senior Associate at the firm, she enjoys mentoring law students interested in immigration law. Natalia clerked for the Philadelphia Immigration Court in 2018, where she drafted judicial opinions for Immigration Judges. In 2019, Natalia traveled to the US-Mexico border in Tijuana to help asylum seekers with the organization Al Otro Lado. As a law student, Natalia worked in a variety of settings advocating for immigrants. Natalia interned with HIAS Pennsylvania, working with victims of domestic violence on their U-Visa and VAWA applications. She represented undocumented workers with employment claims at Temple Law’s Sheller Center for Social Justice and partnered with the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs to educate employers about immigrant worker rights. She had the opportunity to file administrative claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act on behalf of immigrant families who were forcibly separated and detained by the U.S. government. Prior to law school, Natalia obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University, graduating magna cum laude with honors. Natalia is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Esperanza Immigration Legal Services (EILS), a non-profit organization dedicated to offering free and low-cost legal services to immigrants and their families in the Philadelphia area.

Sheeba Ajwani was born and raised in Mumbai, India, where she completed her law degree (L.L.B) in 2005 and worked as an attorney. She moved to the United States in 2015 and completed her Masters in Law from the University of Miami School of Law in 2016. She is a dual licensed attorney in NY, Texas, Florida, and India. Sheeba was recognized as a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch attorney in the 2026 Edition and has several years of international corporate law and litigation experience. At The Downs Law Group, she is part of the litigation team for the BP Oil Spill cases.

Cyrus Whittaker

Glendale, CA

Cyrus Whittaker serves as Of Counsel to Jaurigue Law Group, where he is routinely brought in on high-stakes employment cases involving complex litigation and trial-stage strategy. Cyrus is also the founder and principal of Whittaker Law, a litigation-focused law firm with offices in California and Nevada, representing clients in employment law, tenant rights, and personal injury matters. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Washington and his Juris Doctor from UCLA School of Law, a law school consistently ranked among the top 15 nationally. Since becoming licensed in 2016, Cyrus has tried more than twenty-five jury trials to verdict across both criminal and civil courts. His background includes serving as a criminal prosecutor with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, where he handled a high volume of misdemeanor trials through a competitive post-graduate fellowship program. He also held litigation positions at both international law firms and trial-focused boutique firms. Known for joining cases late in the process to drive favorable results, Cyrus is often called upon to lead or consult on complex litigation and trial matters requiring urgent, experienced counsel. He is licensed to practice in California, Nevada, and federal courts, and served as an adjunct professor of California and Federal Civil Procedure at the People’s College of Law (2021-2022). Fully fluent in Spanish, he routinely represents monolingual Spanish-speaking clients. Cyrus is committed to powerful courtroom advocacy, meticulous trial strategy, and maximizing outcomes for the injured and employees harmed by unlawful workplace conduct.

Gianfranco Sotomayor

Denver, CO

Throughout his life and career, Gianfranco has been deeply committed to equity and access to justice. He has worked closely with underrepresented communities across Colorado and takes pride in providing the highest standard of bilingual and bicultural legal representation. At Cheney Galluzzi & Howard, Gianfranco is devoted to understanding each client’s unique needs, safeguarding their rights, and achieving meaningful results. Gianfranco Sotomayor is a litigation associate at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard, LLC. Originally from Mexico City, Gianfranco has called Colorado home for the past 20 years. He is a proud graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned degrees in Law, Political Science, and International Affairs. Over the past 13 years, Gianfranco has gained valuable experience across Colorado in the areas of Immigration Law, Personal Injury Law, Workers’ Compensation, and Criminal Law. He also had the honor of serving the public through his work with the Colorado Court of Appeals and the District Attorney’s Office for the 20th Judicial District. Deeply dedicated to equity and access to justice, Gianfranco has long worked alongside underrepresented communities and remains committed to providing the highest standard of bilingual and bicultural legal representation. Outside of his legal practice, Gianfranco enjoys salsa dancing, classical music, Thai boxing, attending church, and spending quality time with his family. At CGH, Gianfranco is devoted to understanding each client’s unique needs, safeguarding their rights, and achieving meaningful results.

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.

Sergio R. Cardenas

El Segundo, CA

Sergio believes he provided an honorable service securing impressive outcomes for injury victims. Sergio's genuine caring nature and his unwavering commitment to "making things right" in his clients' lives is why many of his clients love working with him. Mr. Cardenas began his career as an immigration paralegal while attending UCLA Extension. He secured his attorney license with the California State Bar and began his attorney career fighting for injury, lemon law, and immigration violation victims. He is a native speaker of Spanish and fluent in French and English. He has secured impressive outcomes for numerous injury and lemon law victims.

Francisco Llanos

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Francisco Llanos recently joined Demesmin & Dover. He attended Nova Southeastern University for his undergraduate degree, majoring in Legal Studies. Francisco dual enrolled while in undergrad and then graduated from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, graduating early. He did this while working full-time and having a family with four kids. Having dealt with both insurance carriers and doctors for the entirety of his legal career, Francisco has a vast knowledge of the tactics employed by the insurance companies, which he uses to obtain the optimum compensation for his clients. Above all, Francisco is passionate about helping people in need and ensuring that injured clients get the justice and the compensation they deserve. He is originally from Lima, Peru and has been in the United States since he was 8. On his time off he enjoys time with his family and four children.

Jeff Ponting

Los Angeles, CA

Jeff Ponting leads the firm’s Oakland office and brings nearly three decades of employment litigation experience, representing plaintiffs in discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour, and other employment matters. Prior to joining McNicholas & McNicholas, he held various positions with California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc., serving as pro bono director and developing programs to benefit indigenous Mexican farmworkers. He also has experience in political asylum proceedings and immigration law. Mr. Ponting is conversant in Spanish.

MAX ALVAREZ

Las Vegas, NV

Max Alvarez is an associate attorney at Mills & Anderson in Las Vegas, Nevada. A first-generation Hispanic-American and fluent Spanish speaker, he focuses on family law, personal injury, immigration, and wills and trusts. He earned his Juris Doctor from Boyd School of Law in 2020 and was hired as an associate in 2023, after working as a law clerk with the firm since 2019. He prides himself on guiding Spanish-speaking litigants through the legal process in their own language.

Starlin Colon

Lemoyne, PA

Starlin Colon concentrates his practice on employment law, business law, corporate law, and civil litigation. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Mr. Colon is fluent in Spanish and assists in the representation of our Spanish-speaking clients.

Tracy was born in South Africa and graduated from high school early at the age of 16, to follow her dream of becoming a US citizen. She graduated two years later from CFNI with an Associate Degree in Theology, leading youth ministry and teaching Sunday School at her church. After obtaining her permanent residence card in 1989, she received a wonderful opportunity, through a dear friend in her church, to be trained as a paralegal at a large insurance defense law firm in Fort Worth, and began her legal career. Several years later she joined a law firm that exclusively handled personal injury cases. From 1994-2008, she led a team of paralegals, nursing consultants, legal assistants and file clerks, handling hundreds of toxic tort and product liability cases in several states. She attended countless seminars and immersed herself in each tort claim and assisted in the various mediations and trials. She has managed a wide variety of personal injury matters, including 18 wheeler accidents, medical malpractice lawsuits, and fatality cases, in both state and federal courts. In 2009, she moved to Abilene, Texas with her husband, who grew up in West Texas. Tracy began working for Greg Allen a few months later, and has been his paralegal ever since. Tracy and her husband have a young son, who keeps them busy. Together, they enjoy traveling the world and experiencing different cultures. The beach is Tracy’s happy place.

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.

Abdon Madrigal

Chicago, IL

Abdon Madrigal is a civil defense attorney who prides himself on top-tier service to his clients. He has tried more than a dozen cases throughout Northern Illinois, and he brings that experience to every area of law in which he practices. Mr. Madrigal has handled every aspect of litigation and always strives towards excellence. He received a full-ride scholarship at the Chicago-Kent College of Law and received the CALI Award for the highest grade in Advanced Torts. Mr. Madrigal is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Marcela Romero is an Associate Attorney at Michael T. Gibson P.A. She was born and raised in Colombia and earned her B.A. in Political Science from Florida International University and her Juris Doctorate from Barry University's Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in May 2020. Admitted to practice in Florida in September 2021, she focuses on representing injured individuals in auto accidents, slip/trip and falls, and other negligence-related cases.

LEVON VARDANYAN

Las Vegas, NV

Levon joined Nevada Legal Group in March of 2020. He has since been able to assist the firm in expanding their area of practice into immigration law while assisting with personal injury, property damage, business, small claims and criminal matters. Levon began his journey in the field of law when he immigrated to the United States in 2007 to further his education. He obtained his BA in Political Science from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY where he was able to attend with a full International Student scholarship. He then moved on to attend law school at the University of Dayton School of Law where he was able to obtain his Juris Doctorate in a two-year accelerated program again being recipient of multiple merit scholarships. Upon receipt of his JD, he decided to escape the cold and move to Los Angeles, CA where he worked in the foreclosure defense litigation area of law for three years. Regardless of his involvement in real estate and personal injury law, Levon never forgot his passion for immigration law. His interest in immigration law stems from being a “double immigrant” himself as he was born in Armenia and lived in Mexico since the age of five until moving to the United States. Even before attending law school, he has helped many people obtain their permanent residency, asylum and citizenship allowing them to legally live and work in this country. In early 2020, Levon and his wife Artemis decided to relocate to Las Vegas to further pursue their careers. They have since had a Vegas born son, Harutyun, and enjoy working and living in this great community. In his spare time, Levon enjoys traveling, spending time with his family and friends and being outdoors as much as possible.

Richard Gabriel Delgado

Jacksonville, FL

Richard Delgado was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Mr. Delgado completed his undergraduate degree and obtained a Bachelors of Arts in History and Political Science from Florida International University where he graduated Cum Laude. While in school, Mr. Delgado was an active member of the Pi Sigma Alpha and Sigma Iota Rho Honor Societies. Mr. Delgado attended law school at Florida International University's College of Law and obtained his Juris Doctorate. Mr. Delgado served as Vice-President of the International Law Society and as Treasurer of the Real Property Law Society. While in law school, Mr. Delgado was an active member of FIU Law's Experiential Learning Pro Bono Program. Before becoming an associate at St. Denis and Davey, Mr. Delgado practiced Maritime Law, as well as Personal Injury and First-Party Property. Mr. Delgado is fluent in English and Spanish and is currently a member of the Florida Bar.

Ruben Chapa

Saint Louis, MO

For more than three decades Ruben Chapa has advocated on behalf of people who have been unjustly denied their health and retirement benefits. Before joining the firm, Ruben served for over 30 years as a federal civil prosecutor and Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Labor. While working for the Department of Labor, Ruben developed a wide breadth of experience, handling Cybersecurity, ERISA, FLSA, OSHA, EEOC, and whistleblower matters. As a prosecutor Ruben litigated more than 200 matters restoring millions of dollars to harmed participants and protecting their safety and health. Ruben also tried more than 20 matters across the country, both in federal district court and bankruptcy court. Given his extensive experience he was sent to Mexico to give a week-long trial advocacy course in Spanish to Mexican judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. In addition to lecturing on trial techniques he has instructed attorneys on Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) litigation, one of the most complicated federal laws. Moreover, Ruben was appointed by the Secretary of Labor to be the Regional Director of the Chicago Employee Benefits Security Administration. In that position he directed criminal and civil investigations to ensure that fiduciaries complied with ERISA. In March 2025, Ruben resolved a U.S. District Court matter in Wisconsin against UMR, the largest claims administrator in the country. Because of his efforts the court entered an order requiring UMR to restore more than $20 million to participants whose emergency room and urinary drug screening claims were denied.

Christine Vazquez

Orlando, FL

Christine B. Vazquez is an associate attorney at Katz & Phillips, P.A., focusing on individual firearm rights, criminal and self-defense law, and immigrant rights and advocacy. As a bilingual attorney of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent, she is a fervent advocate for her clients. She has worked at Katz & Phillips, P.A. for the past two years, assisting U.S. LawShield members and firm clients with firearms and self-defense cases. She has received specialized training in use of force decision-making, imminent threat assessment, and human performance in force situations. Her background includes being a certified teacher in Florida, serving as a union representative, and being nominated Teacher of the Year for three consecutive years. During law school, she was President of the Hispanic American Law Student Association and Vice President of the Immigration Law Society. She also studied in Salamanca, Spain, and Delft, Netherlands, and completed legal internships with the Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency and the School Board of St. Lucie County, Florida. She volunteers as a translator for unaccompanied minors in immigration court and represented clients at her school’s Advanced Immigration Clinic.

Alejandra Ayotitla

Omaha, NE

Alejandra Ayotitla Cortez is one of the few immigrant attorneys in Nebraska, originally from Hidalgo, Mexico. As a DACA beneficiary and first-generation student, she graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2017 and from the University of Nebraska College of Law in May 2022. She has advocated for driver's and professional licenses for DACA youth and for immigration reform. She worked as a law clerk at CLIA, PESEK LAW, and other firms, and volunteered at naturalization clinics. She also co-published articles in the College of Law’s Nebraska Law Bulletin.

Laura De La Cruz first joined Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP in 2010 as a paralegal and became a licensed attorney in 2015. She is dedicated to advocating for maritime workers and individuals injured in serious accidents, understanding the profound impact injuries have on lives. She is licensed to practice law in Texas and Louisiana and regularly practices in both federal and state court. Born in Puerto Rico, she considers Texas her home and is a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two young daughters and traveling.