Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

Lauren M. Esparza

Sugar Land, TX

Lauren M. Esparza joined the Leon Law Firm as an attorney in 2021. Lauren was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. She attended Texas A&M University where she earned a Bachelors of Science in Health. After undergrad, Lauren earned her J.D. from Texas Southern University-Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Since the beginning of her legal career, Lauren has worked hard to advocate for her clients in a diverse range of practice areas. While she has experience in multiple areas of law, her true passion is personal injury law. Lauren is firm in her belief that the law provides an avenue for people to be heard and justice to be served. This mentality is what drives Lauren to be a fierce advocate for her clients and to ensure the best results possible. Lauren is fluent in Spanish and is a member of the Mexican American Bar Association and the Houston Young Lawyers Association. Outside of the office, Lauren enjoys traveling, cycling, and spending time with her friends and family.

Diego Barros

New York, NY

Diego Barros joined Joseph & Norinsberg, LLC in 2018 as an associate attorney representing clients in civil rights and employment actions. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Barros worked for the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office for nine years as an Appeals Bureau Paralegal, Freedom of Information Law Officer and Grant Coordinator. In his last year in the District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Barros served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Criminal Court Bureau. During this time, Mr. Barros performed case intake with various law enforcement officials and victims, prepared accusatory instruments, warrants and arraigned cases. Additionally, Mr. Barros is native Spanish speaker who is eager to represent his community. Mr. Barros is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. He is also admitted to practice in Federal Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. Mr. Barros is a member of the New York State Bar Association, Richmond County Bar Association and New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Diego Oswaldo BarrosClients’ ChoiceAward 2023

Benjamin A. Ayala

Los Angeles, CA

Benjamin Ayala is an Associate Attorney at Brock & Gonzales handling Employment cases in our Spanish speaking department, and Personal Injury cases. Ben was born and raised in Southern California. Prior to joining Brock & Gonzales, Ben worked for an employment law firm, where he represented employees who were victims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. He also has experience representing clients who have sustained injury through no fault of their own. Ben is committed to his clients and zealously advocates for them in all phases of the litigation process. He understands the difficult nature of litigation and prides himself on defending his clients’ rights and bringing them closure. During his time at Loyola Law School, Ben was selected to participate in the Poehls/Hobbs District Attorney Practicum where he received intensive trial advocacy training. As part of the practicum, Ben also completed an externship as a Certified Law Clerk with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, where he conducted several preliminary hearings. Ben was also a member of La Raza de Loyola, a student association committed to giving back to the Latinx community, a mission Ben holds close to his heart. Following law school, Ben was selected to take part in the prestigious Victor E. Chavez American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Fellowship program.

Matthew Wisecup

Greenup, KY

Matthew A. Wisecup was born on December 7, 1982. He is a 2001 graduate of Oak Hill High School in Oak Hill, Ohio, where he was class valedictorian. Matthew obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where he earned a double major in Political Science and Spanish. While at Ohio University, Matthew was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society and was a member of the Leona and Lewis Hughes Manasseh Cutler Scholars Program. Matthew graduated summa cum laude from Ohio University in 2005 and went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in Cincinnati, Ohio. While at UC Law, Matthew was accepted as a member of the Moot Court Honor Board, and he finished as a semifinalist in the Hassell National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition in Virginia. Matthew graduated from the College of Law in 2008, having been inducted into the Order of Barristers. Matthew was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 2008, where he began practice with Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS) in Portsmouth, Ohio, and later served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Scioto County, Ohio. While an Assistant Prosecutor, Matthew gained significant jury trial experience. Matthew became admitted to practice law in Kentucky in 2014. In addition to being admitted to the Ohio and Kentucky Bars, Matthew is admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. He also is a member of both the Ohio and Kentucky Bar Associations, as well as the Scioto County Bar Association and the Greenup and Lewis County Bar Associations. Through the years, Matthew has been involved with Habitat for Humanity, helping to build homes for families in need. Since joining the law firm of McGinnis Leslie, Matthew has had the pleasure of representing clients in a variety of civil and criminal matters.

Wayne Fox

Houston, TX

Wayne grew up on a farm and ranch in West Texas outside of San Angelo. He attended West Texas State in Canyon on a football scholarship, where he played for Joe Kerbel, 1962-1966, and was a freshman on the Buffalo team that beat Ohio University in the Sun Bowl in 1962. He has maintained his connection to the Panhandle by establishing three scholarships and by being involved in various committees, etc, at the Business School at WT, as well as maintaining friendships in the area established during his college years. He attended Law School at the University of Houston, graduating in 1970, and worked one year for a large Houston firm before founding Bonham, Carrington & Fox, where he was the managing partner until 1999, with the firm having 33 attorneys when he left to start a commercial real estate development company and to pursue his ranching interests. He owns El Chaparral Ranch in Fayette County, where he runs a cow/calf operation. He became Of Counsel to Potts Law in 2023, bringing his 53 years of legal experience to assist in negotiations of complex litigation. He has carried an AV rating as an attorney continuously since 1976.

Blake D. Freeman

Corbin, KY

Blake D. Freeman was born in Corbin, Kentucky on February 8, 1988. Mr. Freeman recieved his business degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 2011, and went on to earn his J.D. from Salmon P. Chase College of Law from Northern Kentucky University in 2015. He was admitted to the Kentucky Bar Association in 2015.

Francisca D. Morant

Wakefield, MA

Francisca D. Morant is an advocate and counselor with over 30 years of experience, serving as of-counsel at DeMoura|Smith LLP. She represents clients in complex commercial issues, professional liability, products liability, banking, contract, insurance, environmental, real estate, and employment law. She has appeared in Massachusetts state and federal courts, handling all aspects of civil litigation. Her experience includes litigation at Nutter McLennen & Fish LLP and Choate Hall & Stewart LLP, and serving as Associate General Counsel at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center. She also worked as a guardian ad litem for the Juvenile Court. A graduate of New York University School of Law and Harvard University, Francisca is fluent in three languages, including Spanish.

Christopher A. Bishop

Seattle, WA

Attorney Chris Bishop became interested in workers’ compensation while still in law school, where he first had an opportunity to learn about this area of the law. Today, his practice is devoted almost exclusively to workers’ compensation defense, and, to a lesser degree, to OSHA and insurance defense. Chris believes that lawyers should be strong advocates on behalf of their clients, and should do whatever they can to learn about all aspects of a claim. In this regard, Chris enjoys learning as much as possible about the legal/medical interaction involved in injury claims (including the medical aspects of injuries and treatment) so that he can be a more effective litigator. He has become known for his tenacity in not accepting opposing counsel evidence at face value and going the extra distance to strengthen the cases of firm clients. Apart from his legal practice, Chris served a Spanish speaking, two-year church mission in Caracas, Venezuela. Chris and his wife have four children, and spend much of their time attending their children’s activities, which include band, track, and other sports. Chris is a basketball coach, youth leader at church, and is involved with scouting, as well as being an avid golfer.

Michael J. Ciaravino

Lynbrook, NY

Michael J. Ciaravino is a Senior Associate attorney with the Law Offices of Schlissel DeCorpo. He graduated from New York Law School and Queens College of CUNY. He was admitted to the New York bar in 2000.

Alexandre Ballerini

Tallahassee, FL

Alexandre Ballerini is an international lawyer with prior business experience in venture capital, technology startups, e-commerce, banking, management, real estate, brokerage, finance, and development. His law practice focuses on corporate & partnership structuring, real estate transactions, international taxation, arbitration & litigation. He is fluent in Italian, French, English, and Spanish.

Andrew Hebert

Louisville, KY

Andrew is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Ballard High School before graduating from the University of Louisville with degrees in History and Spanish Language. After taking a few years away from his studies, Andrew attended the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville, graduating Cum Laude in 2024. Andrew is passionate about representing people who have been injured by the negligence of others and helping them receive the justice they deserve. In his free time, Andrew enjoys watching Buffalo Bills games with his dad, attending UofL sporting events, and spending time with his girlfriend Tori, who is also an attorney, and their miniature schnauzer.

Christa C. Lopez

Tampa, FL

Christa C. Lopez is an attorney practicing in Florida since 2013. She is a graduate of Stetson University College of Law and the University of Tampa, and is a member of the Florida Bar Association and Hillsborough County Bar Association. She also speaks Spanish.

Jason Neufeld

Aventura, FL

Jason Neufeld is the Managing Partner of Elder Needs Law, PLLC, and a highly-respected authority in Elder Law, with a distinct focus on Medicaid Planning and Asset Protection for seniors. An "AV" Preeminent-rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, Jason is recognized among Florida’s top lawyers in Super Lawyers and Florida Trend's Legal Elite (2012-2024). Jason is proud to be a Board-Certified Elder Law Attorney - a distinction held by an elite few attorneys throughout Florida; which reflects his deep knowledge and dedication to the craft. His firm, Elder Needs Law, PLLC, is known for delivering vital elder law services, including Medicaid Planning, Asset Protection, Government Benefits Preservation, Estate Planning, and Probate Administration. Jason’s dedication extends beyond client advocacy to professional leadership; he serves on the board of the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys and is Co-Chair of the Broward County Bar Association’s Elder Law Section. An educator and community advocate, Jason regularly provides training on Medicaid Planning to fellow attorneys and presents to organizations across Florida, empowering families and professionals with knowledge about navigating complex benefits. Jason is also the author of How to Get Medicaid to Pay for Some or All of Your Long-Term Care Expenses: Without Having to Wait Five Years, Without Having to Sell Your House, and Without Having to Go Broke First, a practical guide for families exploring Medicaid options. Available in print and audio, this resource helps families understand how to manage long-term care costs while protecting their assets. Jason has been named the 2024 Attorney of the Year by Coast to Coast Legal Aid and Broward County Legal Aid.

Steven E. Martin

Troy, MI

Before joining Powers Chapman, Mr. Martin was employed by the UAW-GM-Ford Legal Services Plan. There he was a litigation specialist practicing primarily consumer litigation in Oakland County. His other main role was to represent union members and their families in filing bankruptcies in Federal Court in Detroit, Michigan. His focus was seeking relief under Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. In June of 1999, Mr. Martin followed former colleague Craig Tarpinian to the growing staff of Powers Chapman. His current areas of expertise include insurance, consumer litigation, collections, traffic law and bankruptcy. Since joining Powers Chapman, Mr. Martin's primary practice continues to be bankruptcy law, counseling hundreds of debtors and creditors in all areas of finance discharge under the Bankruptcy Code. The state of the law has changed significantly after the 2005 changes to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, which requires additional -means- testing for all cases as well as mandatory paperless filing. Mr. Martin looks forward to continuing to build his successful bankruptcy practice in the Metro Detroit area and beyond.

Kamran Amintaheri

San Diego, CA

Kamran recently passed the bar after over a year with KLG, where he participated in three trials alongside top attorneys. Fluent in Spanish and Farsi, he has lived in five countries. Starting his education in Hardware Engineering at Azad University in Tehran, Kamran changed his major to Business Administration in Spanish during his time in UAE and Honduras for two two years. He completed his Bachelor's in Business Administration at San Francisco State University and began his career as an Investment Banker at Chase. With a family background in law, Kamran later pursued a legal career, recently passing the Bar Exam and soon joining our team of attorneys. When not working with clients, Kamran enjoys playing the piano, tennis, and skiing, as well as spending time with friends and family.

Maria Valentin

Tampa, FL

Maria Valentin has been a member of the NY and NJ bar since 2003 and 2002, respectively. She is a graduate of Princeton University and Pace University School of Law. She has served as an attorney/advocate for immigrants and immigration issues since 2005. She is a dual career professional, also teaching History, Law, and Film. She is an Adjunct Professor at Westchester Community College and a frequent commentator on issues related to Latinos and immigration, education, politics, and history. She was the first Latina elected to the School Board for White Plains, NY. She is a recipient of a Fulbright-Hays Award to India, studied law in South Africa, and has traveled globally. As a bilingual and bicultural 'Puerto Rican - American' attorney, she is keenly interested in immigration and civil rights issues, having served on the State Board for the NY Civil Liberties Union and as Hudson Valley Chapter Chair.

Michael D. Overman

Haddon Heights, NJ

Michael D. Overman is a distinguished attorney in Federal Workers’ Compensation law; his practice focuses on representing injured workers who qualify under the Federal Workers’ Compensation Act for wage loss and medical benefits from compensable work-related injuries. With over a decade of legal expertise, Michael D. Overman has successfully handled thousands of cases. His experience covers a wide range of issues in Federal Workers’ Compensation law, with a particular focus on the Defense Base Act (DBA). He is strongly committed to serving claimants and workers who qualify under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and its extension acts. Michael has represented his clients in numerous hearings and achieved numerous successful appeals throughout his career. He is known for his responsive and empathetic advocacy, candid approach, and strong relationships with defense counsel and adjusters. He has secured millions of dollars in settlements, including notable achievements in challenging cases like securing settlements for very late claims and representing clients with PTSD from civilian contracting roles. He is fluent in Spanish.

Andrew Lillywhite

Logan, UT

Andrew Lillywhite advises clients in business law, contracts, estate planning, probate, real property law, private equity, and venture capital. He focuses on protecting client assets and minimizing taxes. He is licensed in Utah and Idaho and speaks Spanish.

Erik Alvarez is the founding member of AtoZ Injury Law. He began his legal career after graduating law school, with honors, to advocate for injured victims, inspired by his mother's car accident. He declined a professional baseball career to practice personal injury law in Miami, where he has tried and litigated hundreds of cases, defeating major insurance companies. He is a member of the Million-Dollar Advocates, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates, and was selected to the Top 100 National Trial Lawyers for Civil Plaintiff Lawyers, and Super Lawyers in 2020.

Ivanesse Lopez

Charlotte, NC

Ivanesse Lopez, is an associate immigration attorney. She has extensive experience in areas such as Special Immigrant Juvenile Visas, U Visas, Adjustment of Status, and Asylum. She has a proven ability to navigate complex legal challenges, build strong client relationships, and achieve successful outcomes. Ivanesse is eager to continue to assist the Hispanic community. She is originally from Puerto Rico. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico and a Juris Doctor from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico Law School. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to serving those in need. Prior to joining the Latorre Law Firm, Ivanesse served as a Supervising Attorney at a nonprofit organization, where she provided essential legal counsel and representation to individuals facing complex immigration issues. Her work in this role reinforced her dedication to justice, equality, and supporting vulnerable communities.

Joyce Bennett Alvarado

Charlotte, NC

Joyce Bennett Alvarado is an Associate Attorney in the Immigration department at Latorre Law firm. She handles U Visas, Adjustments of Status, and VAWA cases. Mrs. Bennett Alvarado earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in 2017. While in law school, she was elected Secretary of the Latino Law Students Association. She received her bachelor’s degree in Law with Magna Cum Laude Honors from Universidad Tecnologica Centroamericana (Tegucigalpa, Honduras). Following her graduation from law school, Ms. Bennett Alvarado began her career as an immigration attorney in 2018. She has experience in humanitarian-based immigration and is passionate about helping clients navigate the complicated immigration system.

Monica Janda

Las Vegas, NV

Monica Janda, Esq. is an attorney who tirelessly advocates for her clients. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and earned her J.D. from the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV. Her legal and business background makes her a unique asset, offering unparalleled business and legal advice in various legal matters including personal injury, real estate law, medical malpractice defense, immigration law, and business litigation. She is passionate about helping her clients.

Russell Ross, J.D., M.B.A.

Houston, TX

Associate Attorney Russell Ross joined The Shariff Law Firm in early 2018. He has been licensed to practice law in the State of Texas since November 2010. The Texas Bar College awarded him the Steve Kondos Most Continuing Legal Education Award in the Summer of 2016. He holds an MBA from the Jesse Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University and a JD from the Emory University School of Law. Russell graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University College of Arts and Sciences and serves on the leadership board of the Houston Vandy Alumni Chapter. Prior to beginning his legal career, he interned in the front offices of the NFL Houston Texans, NFL Tennessee Titans, and WNBA Houston Comets. Native to Houston, he graduated from Mirabeau B. Lamar High School and learned Spanish from his Peruvian family.

Steffi Rodriguez

Charlotte, NC

Steffi Rodriguez is an Associate* in the Immigration department working primarily on family-based applications at Latorre Law Firm. Ms. Rodriguez is originally from Miami, Florida and is of Colombian and Argentinian descent. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Ms. Rodriguez graduated from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 2019. While in law school she interned in the legislative department for Florida’s 9th District Congressman, Darren Soto, where she was working on a bill to provide visas for foreign professionals helping and working in Puerto Rico after the Hurricane Maria. In law school, Ms. Rodriguez was involved with Hispanic Organization of Legal Advocates and the treasurer for Help Save the Next Girl, an organization advocating for human trafficking victims. Ms. Rodriguez also volunteered her time as a guardian ad litem in Hillsborough county. Prior to law school, Ms. Rodriguez received her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with Magna Cum Laude Honors from Mississippi Valley State University where she was also a student-athlete and involved in various academic honor societies. Ms. Rodriguez is a member and is licensed in North Carolina.