Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

Emily Brogdon

Missoula, MT

Emily E. Brogdon was born in Savannah, Georgia. She is admitted to practice law in Montana, Georgia and South Carolina. Her practice focuses in the areas of real estate, land use, construction, business and corporate law.

JoAn E. Abreu

Huntington Station, NY

Daughter of immigrants from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She received her undergraduate degree at St. John’s University and completed her law degree at Touro Law, where she was elected president of the Latino Law Students Association. She began her legal career at Siben & Siben as the first and only bilingual Hispanic attorney, and joined Cannon & Acosta in 2012 as a partner, presenting cases in New York State Supreme and U.S. Federal courts. She is also a lead flamenco choreographer and performs with Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Company.

Danielle Marie Gifford

Belmont, MA

Danielle Marie Gifford joined Avery Dooley & Noone in October of 2010. As an Associate, she focuses her practice primarily on the representation of federal and state employees in employment matters and on the formation of new business entities. Ms. Gifford handles employment matters such as: Agency and congressional investigations, Office of Special Counsel investigations, Security clearance investigations and revocations, Disciplinary actions, Whistleblower matters, Discrimination claims. She has represented employees in cases before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. Ms. Gifford also has experience in the formation of non-profit, charitable organizations, business transactions, real estate transactions, and probate matters.

Vance Owen

Beverly Hills, CA

Vance Owen, known as 'El Abogado Güero,' is Of Counsel at Kiesel Law LLP. Raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, his broad legal experience and native Spanish have made him a frequent legal analyst for Univision and a contributor to CNN. He has successfully represented hundreds of clients in wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims, including product liability, automotive defects, and various accident cases. He was involved in litigation against the Catholic Church for child molestation and is a member of both the movie Writer’s Guild and the movie Producer Guild of America.

Dana Brimmer

Spokane, WA

Dana Brimmer is an experienced attorney focusing her practice in family law. She holds an undergraduate degree in Biology with a focus on Bioethics from Harvard University and a J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law. She has significant experience as a court-appointed contract attorney with the Washington State Public Defender’s Office, specializing in civil litigation and dependency process.

Attorney with more than 25 years of experience. primarily practices in Worcester County districts court, Worcester superior court Worcester probate & family court and Worcester hearings division of office of Hearings and Appeals Social Security Administration.

Jorge T. Simon

Miami, FL

A Miami native, Jorge Simon graduated summa cum laude from Florida International University and cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. He interned for federal and state judges and discovered his passion for personal injury law while clerking at Goldberg & Rosen. His experience at an insurance defense firm provides him with unique insight into insurer tactics, which he now uses to advocate for injury victims in auto negligence, premises liability, product liability, and medical malpractice claims. He is fluent in Spanish.

Pablo Martinez

Waco, TX

Pablo Martinez, from the impoverished Cameron Park in Brownsville, Texas, overcame early challenges, including a brush with the law and his brother's imprisonment. Excelling at Texas State University after a modest start at a local college, he worked various jobs to fund his law studies, eventually graduating summa cum laude from Baylor Law School. This achievement was celebrated with his family, including his grandmother Aurora and his brother, who was released from prison in time to witness Pablo's success. After law school, Pablo quickly found love with a fellow Baylor Law graduate, marrying her shortly after his bar exam. The couple settled in Waco, Texas, welcoming their son, Joaquin Cruz Martinez. Professionally, Pablo began as a prosecutor but soon realized the need for Spanish-speaking legal services in McLennan County. He founded The Martinez Law Firm, focusing on personal injury, criminal law, family law, and immigration, dedicated to serving the underrepresented Latino community.

Ian L.M. Durdle

San Francisco, CA

Ian joined Tenant Law Group in July 2025. His practice focuses on helping tenants recover monetary damages caused by the egregious behavior of landlords, guiding clients from the initial stages of their case through resolution through negotiations, mediation, and trial if necessary. Ian brings over five years of experience advocating for tenants across the Bay Area, with a strong focus on protecting vulnerable communities and pursuing justice through negotiation, litigation, and administrative proceedings. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Davis School of Law, where he was President of the King Hall Negotiations Team. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from the same university. He has been licensed to practice law since 2019. Prior to joining Tenant Law Group, Ian worked at several law firms in Santa Barbara, where he handled complex civil litigation, including commercial real estate disputes and breach of contract cases. He also provided support to institutional clients such as the Regents of the University of California as a litigation contractor.

Andrea McGinn

Van Meter, IA

Andrea McGinn is a Collaborative Attorney and Consultant who guides clients with compassion and knowledge through legal proceedings. Her practice focuses on family law, including collaborative and traditional divorce, custody, child support, Guardian ad Litem, Child & Family Reporter work, termination of parental rights, and adoptions. She also practices child welfare law, assisting families involved with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. She is dedicated to ensuring fair outcomes for families.

Juan Carlos Monteza

Maspeth, NY

Juan Carlos Monteza specializes in criminal law and immigration law, particularly cases involving the intersection of both. He has dedicated the last 8 years to representing clients in New York courts, focusing on preventing deportation and handling cases related to drug possession, assault, theft, sexual offenses, domestic violence, crimes against children, document forgery, and economic crimes. He holds a Master of Law from Yeshiva University and an LLB from Universidad de San Martin de Porres in Lima. He is licensed in New York and Lima.

Clayton St. Laurent

Baltimore, MD

Attorney Clayton St. Laurent was born in Trinidad and Tobago and is a naturalized U.S. citizen. He has personally experienced the immigration process, giving him firsthand understanding of the challenges clients face. He has more than 20 years of experience.

Shakayle Grant

West Palm Beach, FL

Shakayle Grant is an associate in the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Division. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University and received her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2015. While in law school, she clerked for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and the State Attorney’s Office, and participated in legal clinics. Before joining the firm, Ms. Grant practiced criminal defense and landlord-tenant law. She is a member in good standing with the Florida Bar.

André A. Hakes

Charlottesville, VA

Charlottesville attorney André Hakes has 20+ years experience as a practicing criminal defense attorney in Charlottesville, Virginia and the surrounding areas. Ms. Hakes is a partner at the law firm of Tucker Griffin Barnes P.C. handling criminal defense, sex crimes and DUI cases. To the art and science of criminal defense, Ms. Hakes brings prosecutorial and police educator experience, and a long, successful track record defending clients on murder, sex crimes, drug charges, DUI, embezzlement, assault, and many other criminal allegations.

Attorney Christian A. Straile at Full Focus Law believes in developing a one-on-one relationship with each of our clients. He is committed to providing personal attention to client needs, combining professionalism, proficiency, and experience with a compassionate yet aggressive approach. Practicing since 2003, Mr. Straile feels a professional and personal obligation to provide exceptional legal representation. He focuses on trial law, specializing in DUI, traffic, criminal, domestic violence, injunctions, automobile accidents, family law (including divorce, custody, paternity, modification, domestic violence, injunctions, child abduction, division of assets, and parenting plans), business law, and other civil litigation. He handles all levels of criminal offenses and related issues from investigation to verdict and appeal. Mr. Straile is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Florida Bar, and a past treasurer for the Eighth Judicial Circuit Young Lawyers Division.

Valeria Marie Villaverde was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. She attended Stetson University College of Law, where she won first prize and best advocate in the William and Mary Negotiation Competition. She was elected a representative in the Student Bar Association for all three years of her Law School career, serving as co-chair and then chair of the Barrister’s Ball Committee. Valeria is bilingual, learning Spanish before English. She is licensed in the State of Florida and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She is committed to the immigrant story and the American dream, with experience in both family and employment-based immigration.

Pablo S. Lopez’s journey to becoming a personal injury attorney is deeply tied to the borderland community he calls home. Born in El Paso and raised in Ciudad Juárez, Pablo has always been inspired by the resilience and strength of the people in this unique region. His path to law began during his high school years at Cathedral High School in El Paso, where he developed a passion for advocacy and justice. Since the summer of 2017, Pablo has been a part of Scherr & Legate, PLLC, starting as a file clerk and growing into his current role as an associate attorney. Over the years, he has gained hands-on experience in all aspects of personal injury law, from drafting motions to supporting trial preparations, always with a client-centered approach. A graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, Pablo excelled academically as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Consumer & Commercial Law and as a leader within student organizations. Sworn into the Texas Bar in October 2024, he is now dedicated to representing individuals and families who have suffered from serious injuries or loss.

Armando R. Horta

Ridgewood, NJ

Armando R. Horta, Esq., is a proud graduate of both The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelors of Science in Crime, Law & Justice and a minor in Sociology in 2006 and of Seton Hall University School of Law in 2010. After graduation from Seton Hall University School of Law, Mr. Horta had the honor of completing a one-year Judicial Clerkship with the Honorable Bonnie J. Mizdol, (Ret.) A.J.S.C. during the time that Judge Mizdol was the Presiding Judge of the Family Part in Bergen County. Upon completion of his Judicial Clerkship in 2011, Mr. Horta began practicing in the private sector with the law firm of Budd Larner, P.C. as an associate in their Family Law Department. Mr. Horta then went on to become a partner in the Law Offices of Matthew M. Gorman, LLC and eventually established Horta Law, in February 2014. Mr. Horta is currently Of Counsel with the Aretsky Law Group. Since entering the private sector, Mr. Horta has devoted his practice to Divorce and Family Law related matters.

Drew H. Reynolds

Chattanooga, TN

Drew H. Reynolds joined the firm as an Associate in September of 2008 after graduating from the University of Tennessee College of Law. He was named a Shareholder in January 2014. Drew concentrates his practice on Health Care Liability Defense, Governmental Tort Liability Defense, Insurance Defense, Civil Litigation, and Appellate Advocacy. His experience in these areas has helped him successfully defend his clients by obtaining dismissals by way of motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment and by defending those dismissals on appeal. Drew also has experience representing health care providers before the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners in connection with investigations performed by the Tennessee Department of Health Office of Investigations, representing clients in contract disputes, defending claims filed under the Black Lung Benefits Act, and defending tort claims arising out of motor vehicle accidents from the perspective of liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance carriers.

Jonas Bastien

Lexington, KY

Jonas Bastien is an attorney whose practice focuses on healthcare regulatory, transactional, and corporate law, as well as active litigation in state and federal courts. He graduated from the University of Louisville with a B.A. in political science in 2018 and received his J.D. from the University of Kentucky Rosenberg School of Law in 2021. At UK, he served as president of the Student Bar Association, contributed to The Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Law, and founded the Bourbon Legal Society. He has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers and “Ones to Watch” by Best Lawyers in America in 2024 and 2025. He is licensed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Eastern and Western District of Kentucky.

MICHAEL TED THORNOCK

Millcreek, UT

Michael Ted Thornock is an Associate Attorney at Stowell Crayk, PLLC, recognized for his expertise across multiple legal fields. His practice includes Criminal Defense, Family Law, Debt Collection, Landlord/Tenant disputes, Contracts, Immigration, and General Civil Litigation. Thornock is one of the few Spanish-speaking mediators in Utah and is listed on both the Utah Basic and Divorce Mediation Rosters. He earned his law degree from Creighton University School of Law in 2016 and was admitted to the Utah Bar later that year. He also holds two bachelor’s degrees from Brigham Young University in Political Science and Spanish.

Abraham Banks

Gainesville, FL

Abraham Banks is an attorney and the Ocala Office Manager at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers. His full biography is not yet available.

Lonneke E. van Heyst is a Senior Associate at Restivo & Murphy LLP. She earned a B.A. from Boston University magna cum laude in 2000 and a J.D. from Touro Law Center cum laude in 2006. Ms. van Heyst is an experienced attorney who has spent her entire career fighting for the rights of victims of serious accidents. Since joining the firm in 2007, Ms. van Heyst has exhibited a strong commitment to addressing client matters with diligence and tireless effort. Ms. van Heyst is experienced in handling all aspects of litigation from inception to trial. Ms. van Heyst is fluent in Spanish and Dutch.