Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

Herman E. Gaskins, Jr.

Washington, NC

Herman E. Gaskins, Jr. is an attorney and founder of Gaskins & Gaskins, P.A. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1972 and the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1975. He served as an Assistant United States Attorney before establishing his practice in 1978. He focuses on representing injured persons and has extensive jury trial experience.

Alexis is a culturally informed attorney, focusing her practice on immigration and estate planning. Having lived in both the United States and Latin America, and a member of a cross-border family herself, she brings both personal experience and professional insight to every case. Fluent in English and conversational in Spanish, Alexis provides culturally informed guidance to clients from diverse backgrounds. She works with a calm, grounded presence to ensure each person feels heard and respected, and that someone’s got their back while navigating the complex legal process. In her immigration practice, Alexis provides comprehensive assistance with a range of matters, including fiancé and marriage visas, adjustment of status, consular processing, family-based petitions, and naturalization. She also draws on years of experience in estate planning to help individuals and families protect their legacy through wills, trusts, and probate administration. Alexis graduated with honors from Oklahoma Christian University, where she earned the Outstanding Political Science Graduate award and was a member of the women’s soccer team. At Notre Dame Law School, she served as Managing Editor of the Journal of Legislation, President of the Native American Law Students Association, and was a top oralist on the Moot Court Board. She also studied international law in London through Notre Dame’s Concannon Program. Alexis is committed to protecting the dignity, well-being, and legal rights of every client she serves. Outside of work, Alexis enjoys playing fútbol and drinking mate with her Argentine partner.

Marcela Beltran

Washington, DC

Marcela Beltran is the Managing Litigation Paralegal at Oliver-Zhang Law. She leads and mentors interns, paralegals, and law clerks, ensuring efficient case management, legal research, and trial preparation. Fluent in Spanish and English, she makes legal help accessible, especially for the Hispanic community in immigration, personal injury, medical malpractice, drug product liability, and civil matters. She played a key role in a multimillion-dollar medical malpractice case and is dedicated to justice.

John Whitaker

Gainesville, FL

John D. Whitaker, a Gainesville native, graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He is a past president of both the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (local chapter) and the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association. John began his career as a prosecutor under State Attorney Rod Smith, specializing in DUI and traffic enforcement, handling thousands of cases. In private practice, he has handled thousands of criminal cases, from theft to attempted murder. His experience on both sides of the criminal justice system provides a unique advantage in anticipating prosecution strategies and analyzing case strengths and weaknesses.

Tracey L. Ritter

Baltimore, MD

Tracey L. Ritter graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in English from Towson State University in 1996. She received her law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2005, passed the Maryland Bar that same year, and has been practicing law in Maryland ever since. Ms. Ritter primarily represents injured workers before the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission and the Circuit Courts of Maryland. Ms. Ritter has also been a member of the Maryland Association for Justice since 2005.

Yesenia Alfonso

Miami, FL

Clients of Gallardo Law Firm are fortunate to have Yesenia L. Alfonso as their immigration attorney. With experience in litigation and international arbitration, her extensive knowledge makes her a valuable ally for those navigating complex legal challenges and pursuing their dream of coming to the United States. In 2024, she celebrated her admission to the New York State Bar Association. Her professional experience includes prestigious law firms in South Carolina and in Miami. Her work in these successful law firms allowed her to develop important skills in legal analysis, report writing, and representation in high-level judicial disputes. Graduated with a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Arbitration from the University of Miami in 2022, this attorney holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honors from Queen Mary, University of London, and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Florida International University, specializing in Middle Eastern Studies and National Security. Ms. Alfonso is fluent in Spanish and English and proficient in French, Arabic, and Korean. Passionate about justice and human rights, she vigorously defends her clients and actively contributes to legal publications and initiatives supporting vulnerable individuals. She collaborates with the American Red Cross and other organizations to further these efforts.

Matthew D Hendricks was born in Idaho and moved to Utah after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law in order to pursue a career in criminal defense. Matt earned a Bachelor’s of Science from Brigham Young University - Idaho in Business Management with an emphasis in Marketing. He then continued his education by earning a Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law. While attending law school, Matt was able to practice law under a limited license in both Idaho and Washington, working on dozens of cases. Matt focuses his practice strictly on criminal defense law. While Matt is fluent in Portuguese, he constantly strives to improve his Spanish to better aid his clients.

Garrett Balabon is part of the team at The Law Offices of Michael F. Mahoney, committed to achieving the best outcomes for clients.

As the founder and Managing Partner of Tollinchi Law, P.A., Mariel Tollinchi leads her practice with a sharp focus on personal injury, car accidents, and condominium and homeowners association law. She is committed to providing exceptional, client-centered legal representation that delivers superior results. Mariel is known for her unwavering dedication, meticulous attention to detail, and integrity-driven approach. She is recognized as one of the top legal advocates in the community, with years of experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Attorney Tollinchi bridges cultural and language barriers. Before becoming an attorney, she spent nearly a decade as a law clerk for leading personal injury firms, gaining invaluable experience. She is also actively involved in the community as a Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity member and a volunteer for organizations providing free immigration legal services.

Meily Perez, Esq.

Miami, FL

Meily Perez is a Florida attorney dedicated to protecting the rights of homeowners and policyholders in property insurance disputes. Meily’s practice has always focused on first-party insurance claims, helping clients recover when their homes and businesses suffer damage from hurricanes, water losses, fires, and other covered events. Known for her persistence and attention to detail, Meily guides clients through every stage of the claims process, from initial dispute to litigation, ensuring they have a strong advocate against powerful insurance carriers.

Jessica L. Jowers

Jacksonville, FL

Jessica L. Jowers is licensed in both Florida and Georgia, bringing a broad perspective to legal issues. Inspired by a law firm's dedication to clients, she pursued her J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2013. She is passionate about helping those in need, striving to personally connect with each client to understand their experiences and advocate effectively against corporate entities.

Aaron Newman

Beverly Hills, CA

Aaron Newman is the Managing Attorney at Newman & Newman. He is dedicated to providing accessible legal representation, particularly in personal injury cases, including various types of accidents. A graduate of UCLA Law, he was selected to Rising Stars for 2026 by Super Lawyers, an honor given to the top 2.5% of lawyers.

After graduating from the University of Utah Law School, Corbin returned to his home town to practice law. Over the intervening years, Corbin has gained substantial experience in water law, real estate law, corporate law, criminal defense, mediation, civil litigation, and estate planning. Among Corbin’s experiences are jury trials and appeals to the Utah Supreme Court. Additionally, Corbin has represented judges before the Judicial Conduct Commission and has worked extensively with the Utah State Engineer’s office for water rights. In his free time, Corbin enjoys writing music and playing in a band. He and his wife, Heather, love spending time out of doors with their four children.

Matthew R. Morian

Jasper, TX

Matthew R. Morian was born in Jasper, Texas, on September 23, 1994. He was admitted to the Texas bar in 2020 and is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas. He received his B.S. from Sam Houston State University in 2016 and his J.D. from Baylor Law School in 2019.

Robert A. Gurr

Las Vegas, NV

Rob focuses his practice on Intellectual Property matters. As a Registered Patent Attorney, the majority of Rob’s practice is spent on patent prosecution (which is the application process with the United States Patent & Trademark Office). However, Rob has handles a variety of matters, which include a wide array of trademarks, copyrights, and related Federal litigation matters. Rob helps small inventors and large corporations alike, and has clients based in the U.S. and abroad. Accordingly, Rob has handled IP matters in the U.S. and internationally, including China, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, European Union, Australia, Canada, Panama, etc. Rob has connections with both local prototypers and manufacturers, as well as those abroad. If you need your invention made, Rob can help. Prior to becoming a Partner with Gallian Welker & Beckstrom, Rob managed Gurr & Brande, PLLC. Prior to that, Rob ran his own practice, Gurr Law, PLLC.

Kevin Hernandez

Lafayette, LA

Kevin Hernandez is the newest addition to our team of talented and experienced trial attorneys. After growing up in Morgan City, LA, Kevin moved to Lafayette in 2005 to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he eventually graduated in Psychology in 2009. He then attended Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, where he served as a Senior Editor of Law Review and graduated Cum Laude in 2014. In addition to being a skilled and passionate attorney, Kevin is a husband to his wife, Alaina, and a devoted father to their three children, Samuel (8), Camilla (6), and Ellie (newborn). A huge sports fan, Kevin enjoys coaching his children’s little league teams and enjoys cheering on the Ragin Cajuns and LSU Tigers. Being born of two Hispanic parents, Kevin speaks Spanish fluently. As one of the few fluent Spanish-speaking attorneys in Acadiana, we are proud to welcome to him to our team and look forward to serving the Hispanic community. Kevin’s favorite quote: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

Alexandra R. Bisesi

New City, NY

Alexandra R. Bisesi specializes in matrimonial and family law across Rockland, Westchester, Orange, and Bronx Counties. She serves on the Board of Governors for the Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association, the Board of Directors for the Independent Office of Assigned Counsel, the Board for Yonkers Lawyers Association, and 100 Hispanic Women - Westchester Program. With a passion for client involvement, she brings energy, enthusiasm, and practical knowledge to her cases, focusing on achieving client objectives through thorough preparation, attention to detail, and passionate advocacy.

Sarah N. Gloates Horta

Ridgewood, NJ

Sarah N. Gloates Horta, Esq., is a senior Of Counsel attorney with the Aretsky Law Group, P.C. representing clients with matrimonial & family law matters. She was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and is fluent in both Spanish and English. In 2010, she graduated from The Pennsylvania State University and earned a Bachelors of Science in Crime, Law & Justice. Thereafter in 2013, she received her Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. Sarah externed for the Honorable Bonnie J. Mizdol, (Ret.) A.J.S.C. while Her Honor was the Presiding Judge for the Family Part in Bergen County. Upon graduating from law school, she joined The Radol Law Firm in Englewood and Englewood Cliffs for many years. During that time, Sarah ascended from an associate to the firm’s Family Division Managing Partner. In 2020, she established The Law Offices of Sarah N. Gloates Horta, Esq., L.L.C. in Hackensack, N.J. Sarah has devoted her practice to Matrimonial and Family Law matters.

Kayla Campbell

Dobson, NC

Kayla Campbell, from Boonville, NC, was inspired by her great-grandfather's legal career. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Salem College with a Spanish major, earned a Master's from Wake Forest University, and a Juris Doctor from Elon University School of Law in 2017. Fluent in Spanish, she is licensed in North Carolina and the District of Columbia, and is a member of SALSA.

Erika Lezama-Simonson

Wildwood, NJ

Erika Lezama-Simonson focuses her practice on condominium law, land use and zoning, real estate transactions, business formations, estate planning and estate litigation. She is a compassionate advocate fluent in Spanish and English, representing individuals of Spanish-speaking backgrounds. In 2023, she and Mr. Barry achieved a $4 million dollar verdict, the highest ever awarded in Cape May County. She is barred in New Jersey and the Federal District Court of New Jersey, and is active in the Cape May Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association, and New Jersey Association for Justice.

Kathryn E. Fuoco

East Providence, RI

Kathryn has lived in Rhode Island her entire life. She resides in Johnston with her family and her Old English Sheepdog. Kathryn attended the University of Rhode Island graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies and a minor in public relations. In 2018, she graduated cum laude from Roger Williams University School of Law. While in law school, she worked as a library student assistant in the law library and became a Certified Mediator. Throughout law school, Kathryn completed a judicial internship with Magistrate Judge Sullivan and internships with the Rhode Island’s Office of the Attorney General and the Rhode Island Law Revision Department. After graduating law school, Kathryn spent one year as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Debra L. Olsson of the appellate division of the Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Court. During her time at the Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Court she drafted appellate division decisions for matters on appeal from the trial court.

Brent Valdez

Las Vegas, NV

Brent Valdez is a managing attorney and partner at CVBN Law LLP. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Brigham Young University in 2007 and holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the same university. He speaks Spanish and Italian.