Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

Maria L. Rubio

Miami, FL

Maria Rubio is a Miami personal injury lawyer that devotes herself to finding resolutions for those who have suffered an injury in an accident caused by another person. She earned her Juris Doctor in 1986 and has been practicing law ever since. With over 25 years of experience she has dealt with the many aspects of a case and understands how to execute them with excellence.

Nelson E. Báez

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Nelson E. Báez is a Spanish-speaking trial attorney focusing on personal injury cases including car, bicycle, motorcycle, and trucking accidents, as well as wrongful death and premises liability. He has extensive litigation experience, having previously served as a prosecutor in Palm Beach County. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star since 2018, and a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 since 2016.

Roger "Rocky" Walton

Arlington, TX

Roger "Rocky" Walton is a board-certified personal injury trial lawyer in Texas with over 50 years of experience. He began practicing law in 1973 and has achieved the highest possible AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He is also recognized as a "Top Attorney in Tarrant County" by Fort Worth Magazine and has served on the Arlington City Council.

Morton J. Shuman

Framingham, MA

Morton J. Shuman is a personal injury lawyer with over 60 years of experience. He was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1960. He previously worked as a claims manager and attorney in maritime law before opening his own firm in 1995. He received The James Garretson Advocacy Award from the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA) in 2016 for his dedication to the civil justice system and work with workers’ compensation cases.

Melissa Bryan

Orlando, FL

Melissa Bryan is an accomplished Associate Attorney at HAWM Law, PLLC, currently pursuing a master’s in business administration at Campbellsville University with a perfect 4.00 GPA. A cum laude graduate of Barry University School of Law, Melissa ranked in the top 20% of her class and earned the Litigation Honors Certificate. She co-authored the influential article “Environmental Law as Segregation” published in the Howard Law Journal. Melissa has received the Best Lawyers One to Watch Award for 2024 and was recognized as a Rising Alumnus by Omicron Delta Kappa Circle of Saint Leo University. She co-authored an article for the Orange County Bar Association’s The Briefs Magazine and has spoken at the Florida Caribbean Student Association Leadership Conference. Her professional roles include Vice Chair for the Education & Budget Committee at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and Co-Chair of various committees at the Paul C. Perkins Bar Association. She is also Chair of the Grants & Awards Committee for the Seminole Florida Association of Women Lawyers (SFAWL) and is active in the Orange County Bar Association’s Law Week and Immigration Committees. Melissa’s legal experience spans roles as an Associate Attorney Intern and Law Clerk at HAWM Law, where she contributed to the Business Immigration Section and managed personal injury cases. She also served as an Advanced Law Student Legal Representative at the Barry Immigration Clinic and supported litigation attorneys at Foley & Lardner LLP. Fluent in Patois, with intermediate Spanish and basic French, Melissa is a licensed Florida attorney proficient in various legal research and case management tools. Her commitment to justice and extensive legal expertise makes her a valuable asset to her clients and the legal community.

Kelly Martin

Richmond, VA

Kelly Martin is a founding partner of Latham & Martin, specializing in personal injury litigation. He graduated cum laude from George Mason University Law School. He is licensed to practice in all Virginia courts and the Western and Eastern District Courts of Virginia. Mr. Martin has been named a Super Lawyer by Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine from 2020-2025 and a Rising Star from 2014-2018. He was also selected by the National Trial Lawyers as a 'Top 40 under 40' attorney in Virginia and later as one of the 'Top 100 National Trial Lawyers'. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, and the Richmond Bar Association.

William G. Wright

Wilmington, NC

William G. Wright, a Wilmington native with deep family roots in southeastern North Carolina, graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1993 with a history degree and teaching certificate. After teaching, he attended Campbell University School of Law, graduating cum laude in 1999, where he was a Notes and Comments Writer and Articles Editor for the Campbell Law Review. He clerked for the Honorable K. Edward Greene on the North Carolina Court of Appeals and joined Gary Shipman in 2000. As a partner, his practice includes litigation over personal injuries, wrongful death, construction defects, business disputes, unfair and deceptive trade practices, municipal litigation, and appellate advocacy in state and federal courts. He also advises closely held businesses and became a Certified Mediator in 2006. He speaks fluent Spanish.

Dan Caplis

Greenwood Village, CO

Dan Caplis has served as lead counsel in Denver catastrophic injury cases for over 40 years. He is the only lawyer in Colorado history to win nine consecutive multi-million dollar jury verdicts in Colorado accident cases, including the largest truck accident jury verdict in Colorado history. Dan is also a nationally recognized legal analyst and daily talk show host on iHeart Radio, appearing on Fox News, CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, and BBS. He is a Colorado Super Lawyer, named one of the 25 most powerful people in Denver by 5280 Magazine, and recognized as Humanitarian of the Year. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities. His children, Joe and Caroline, are also involved in law and the firm's media communications, respectively.

David M. Krum

Rockville, MD

David M. Krum cofounded Krum, Gergely & Oates, LLC, a full-service law firm, because he believes that people who are charged with crimes or traffic offenses or those involved in personal injury deserve to have a strong attorney fighting for their rights.

Orlando De Castroverde

Las Vegas, NV

Orlando De Castroverde has more than 20 years of experience practicing in the areas of personal injury and criminal defense. He is a partner at De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers, which he co-founded with his brother Alex in 2005. Orlando is a skilled trial lawyer and experienced counselor, overseeing the firm's attorneys and staff. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2000, where he received the American Jurisprudence Award in three courses and achieved the highest MBE score in Nevada for the bar exam that year. He also holds an undergraduate degree from California State-Fullerton (1997) and attended Cuesta Junior College. Orlando is fluent in Spanish and actively involved in the Southern Nevada community, serving on the Nevada Justice Association’s membership committee and the Board of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Department Foundation.

W. Winston Briggs

Atlanta, GA

W. Winston Briggs is a senior partner with over 30 years of experience and has tried more than 200 jury trials. He is a skilled trial lawyer known for his willingness to try cases, which often leads to higher client recoveries. Having previously worked for insurance companies, he possesses unique insight into their tactics, enabling him to effectively represent personal injury and wrongful death clients.

Michael E. Gatto

Walnut Creek, CA

Michael E. Gatto is the owner and founder of the Law Office of Michael E. Gatto PC, specializing in personal injury claims, including motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, industrial accidents, premises liability, products liability, toxic tort, and maritime cases. With over 31 years of experience practicing law since 1994, he has handled catastrophic personal injury and medical malpractice cases, including over 100 jury trials and 150 bench trials as a prosecutor. He is known for his aggressive and skilled legal advocacy, particularly in communicating complex medical issues, and achieved a $12 million medical malpractice verdict in 2014. He has also served as a Discovery Referee and Settlement Mentor for Contra Costa County Superior Court.

Mike Lombardi

Providence, RI

Michael Lombardi is the founder of Mike Lombardi Injury and Criminal Attorneys. His firm represents clients in a broad spectrum of legal matters with a focus on auto-accidents, personal injury, seriously injured individuals, catastrophic injuries, civil litigation and criminal defense. He has received national acclaim in the course of his legal career and has been honored as “Nation’s Top One Percent” by National Association of Distinguished Counsel (NADC), “Top 100 Civil Plaintiffs’” attorney by the National Trial Lawyers and by NADC, “Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney” by Attorney & Practice Magazines, “Top 10 % for Excellence in Personal Injury and Criminal Defense” by Lawyers of Distinction, “10 Best Attorneys-Rhode Island” by American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, and “Top 10 Under 40” by National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys. He has successfully litigated countless difficult legal situations. Michael has made a name for himself as a competent and results-oriented attorney who is committed to helping his clients obtain the best possible outcome. He has personally been responsible for recovering millions of dollars in settlements for his clients. Michael is also the author of “The Client’s Guide to Car Accident & Injury Cases in Rhode Island and Massachusetts- The Information the Insurance Companies don’t want you to have.” He wrote this book so his clients can learn more about what to expect when pursuing an accident or injury claim and to feel reassured about hiring an auto accident and injury lawyer. Michael is passionate about helping people regardless of their background. He is the founder of Overcomer.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding high school students overcoming great challenges in their lives with annual scholarship and charitable donations. Michael approaches every client’s case with an emphasis on thorough preparation and strong work ethic, principles instilled in him from a young age. He is a Rhode Island native and was raised in the Town of Johnston. He attended Johnston High School where he excelled academically and athletically. He was a four-year starter for the Johnston Panthers football team and received numerous awards for making the statewide all-academic team. He credits this to the values instilled in him by his football coach, who stressed the values of teamwork, commitment, hard work, sacrifice, the will to win, excellence, passion and results. Michael’s coach repeatedly told him, “If you subscribe to these principles on the field, you must also subscribe to them in life.” Michael has done just that.

Mitchell Proner is the second-generation managing partner of Proner & Proner, a nationally renowned personal injury attorney and trial lawyer. He has recovered over $500 million for clients and has 30+ years of experience. He is also a passionate motorcyclist who advocates for riders' rights and has represented clients in over 30 jurisdictions across five continents. He gives his personal cell phone number to clients.

Lawrence P. Blunck

Canby, OR

For nearly four decades, Lawrence Blunck has exemplified excellence as a skilled trial lawyer, arbitrator and mediator, and has earned the respect of judges and his peers in the legal community. He formerly practiced in areas focusing on complex personal injuries and car accidents, construction defects, property disputes and premises liability, construction injuries, fire loss and landslides, product defects, timber trespass, landlord-tenant claims, neighborhood and Homeowner Association disputes, sexual abuse and harassment. Today, he focuses on mediation and arbitration. He has tried, arbitrated and mediated hundreds of cases in many different counties in the State of Oregon.

Manuel Rivera is the founding attorney at The Law Offices of Manuel Rivera, Esq. & Associates, P.C. With over 22 years of experience, he provides legal representation in immigration law, workers' compensation, personal injury, federal litigation, criminal law, family law, and traffic law. He serves clients in the Washington D.C. metro area, including Maryland and Virginia, as well as throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

Jess J. Araujo

Santa Ana, CA

Born in El Paso, Texas, Mr. Araujo attended public schools and spent many summers working in the agricultural fields in Texas and California. Before becoming a work injury attorney, Mr. Araujo started his professional career by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps during the height of the Vietnam War. He became a specialist and instructor in the Vietnamese language and was Honorably Discharged with the rank of Sergeant. He has hosted his own radio programs and has been a frequent legal and issues commentator on all Spanish language national networks. He has been a featured columnist on legal and consumer issues with several newspapers and magazines in Los Angeles and Orange Counties for over 15 years. Mr. Araujo has taught legal subject classes at the college and university levels since 1978 and has a lifetime teaching credential. Long active in civic and community affairs, Mr. Araujo has served on a multitude of regional and national boards and commissions and has received countless awards and commendations. His leadership and work on issues that affect the lives of the disadvantaged have won the praise and respect of his peers and the community at large. He currently serves as the Official Legal Advisor/Counselor and Attorney to the Mexican Consulate for Orange County, California, and the Consulate for El Salvador, and since 1994 has served as legal counsel to Nosotros, a national non-profit organization established to promote the interests of Latinos in the entertainment industry. He is a nationally recognized legal scholar, and an expert on, U.S. - Mexican Relations, Latino Electoral Trends, Entertainment Law and Business, Consumer Laws, Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Compensation as well as Applicant’s Workers’ Compensation. He is the author of The Law And Your Legal Rights, the first bilingual (English - Spanish) book on U.S. law ever registered in the Library of Congress, and a professor of legal subjects at California State University Fullerton. He is a noted composer, musician, and frequent talk show guest as well as a popular keynote speaker and master of ceremonies. Concerned about the demise of the Latino vote, Mr. Araujo created and served as National President of Latin American Voters of America (LAVA), a non-profit, non-partisan voter and civic education organization. He also finds time to contribute to the youth of our country by serving as Co-Chairman of Programa Shortstop Juvenile Diversion Program, a nationally recognized crime prevention program. He is the past president of the Orange County Bar Foundation, and the two-term past president of the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County.

Jim Delgado

Sarasota, FL

Jim Delgado is an award-winning, bilingual personal injury litigation lawyer with more than 20 years of trial experience. He has earned a reputation in Manatee County, including Bradenton and Palmetto and throughout the State of Florida as a trusted and tenacious injury lawyer.

Allen D. Brecke

Kennewick, WA

Allen D. Brecke is a native of the Tri-Cities and a highly experienced personal injury attorney. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1974 and Gonzaga Law School in 1977. After initially working in insurance defense, he founded his own firm in 1983 to represent injured victims. He is AV Preeminent® Peer Review and Judiciary Rated and has been recognized as Tri-Citian of the Year in 2013 and received the Heart of Humanity award. He has been a member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association since 1984 and has held various leadership roles in legal and community organizations.

Andrew C. Demos

Pembroke Pines, FL

Andrew C. Demos is the Founding Partner at Andrew C. Demos, P.A. He litigates and practices in personal injury, medical malpractice, real estate litigation, community association law, and other areas. He is admitted to practice in Florida, before the U.S. Supreme Court, various U.S. District Courts in Florida, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. He is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator. Mr. Demos has been recognized as AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell, South Florida's Top Rated Lawyers, and South Florida Super Lawyers.

Anna Czarples

Corning, NY

Anna Czarples is a trial lawyer who stands up for everyday people who’ve been seriously hurt through no fault of their own. Whether it’s a negligent doctor, a reckless driver, or an unsafe property, she holds wrongdoers accountable-and helps clients get the justice and compensation they deserve. Attorney Czarples has a strong track record of success in the courtroom, including multiple high-dollar verdicts right here in our local communities. She understands and respects the values of our region-and knows how to present a case in a way that earns the trust of local jurors. That experience gives her clients a powerful advantage. Licensed in both New York and Pennsylvania, Attorney Czarples focuses exclusively on personal injury cases, with particular experience in medical malpractice, car accidents, and fall injuries. She is proud to open the courthouse doors for people who’ve been ignored, dismissed, or taken advantage of-and to fight for them with everything she’s got.

Merit Bennett

Santa Fe, NM

Merit Bennett is the Managing Partner of The Bennett Law Group, with over 50 years of experience in personal injury, civil rights, and employment discrimination law. He is licensed in New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Colorado, and has achieved significant legal victories, including multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. He is also an author and has been recognized by Top 100 Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Who's Who Directory of Top Attorneys of North America.

Ian R. Alexander

Chicago, IL

Ian Alexander is a compassionate trial lawyer who has proudly represented victims of negligence since 1995, specializing in medical malpractice and complex personal injury litigation. He focuses on cases involving children with profound brain damage from birth injuries and victims of sexual abuse. He is admitted to practice in Illinois, Arizona, and federal courts, and is a member of the Federal Trial Bar. He has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients and has held leadership positions in personal injury law organizations.

Elizabeth Vega Patino

Coral Gables, FL

Elizabeth Vega Patino is a seasoned attorney who has developed a wide range of practice areas that include real estate, workers’ compensation and transactional law. Mrs. Patino, who is bilingual, also has a track record of community involvement and service. Mrs. Patino joined Patino and Associates, P.A. in 2004, where she developed her skills in the areas of workers’ compensation, substantial injury and wrongful death litigation. She expanded her practice to include transactional law, focusing on real estate. She created and currently oversees the firm’s full-service real estate department, which represents both buyers and sellers. As an agent of Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, P&A represents clients in residential and commercial transactions, from contractual negotiations through closing and issuance of title. Mrs. Patino earned her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law and received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Florida International University, and her Associate in Arts degree from Miami-Dade Community College. She is a member of the Florida Bar and the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. Mrs. Patino has always understood the importance of giving back to her community. She currently serves on the Coral Gables Economic Development Board, where she helps create new economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for all residents. Mrs. Patino works and resides in Coral Gables. She also has been involved in organizations that help children and disadvantaged youngsters and has been a frequent guest and even hosted her own show on Spanish-language television, where she helped inform and empower the Latino community.