Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

Michael William “Buddy” Faulkner

Cape Coral, FL

Michael William “Buddy” Faulkner is a dedicated attorney with a diverse professional background and a commitment to achieving successful outcomes for his clients. Before attending law school, Buddy gained a wide range of life experiences that shaped his approach to the legal profession. He managed several businesses and served in law enforcement, where he held roles as a detective, public information officer, medic and breacher for the SWAT team, and other critical positions. He graduated cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Tampa, Florida, in May 2021. Buddy was admitted to the Florida Bar in September 2021 and joined Jones, Haber & Rollings as an attorney.

John Anthony Simmons, Sr.

Hampton, NH

John Anthony Simmons, Sr. started his legal career as a prosecutor and has been in private practice since 1999. His practice primarily includes family law, civil litigation, contracts, criminal defense, estate planning, and probate administration. He is a staunch defender of his clients, believes in frequent communication, and takes an educational approach to representation. He is bilingual (Spanish) and has served in elected and appointed office at the Town and State levels.

Macarena Ortiz

McAllen, TX

Macarena Ortiz, a native of Madrid, Spain, was admitted to practice in the State of Texas in 2014 and is also licensed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. She holds a BA in Political Science, an MBA, and a J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law.

Benjamin Baumer

Oxnard, CA

Ben Baumer joined Lowthorp Richards in February 2019 to practice civil litigation. He is a member of the California State Bar and the Central Coast District Court Bar. He speaks and writes proficiently in Spanish and speaks Portuguese conversationally.

Laura Garcia-Koushel, Esq.

Miami, FL

Laura Garcia-Koushel was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2014. As an Associate at Friedman, Rodman, Frank, & Estrada P.A. she represents clients in the areas of Workers' Compensation claims and Longshore and Harbor Act based claims. Ms. Garcia-Koushel received a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Miami in 2009. She received her Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center in 2014. Ms. Garcia-Koushel is a Miami native and is fluent in English and Spanish. She is also licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia.

Erwin S. Braich

Phoenix, AZ

Erwin S. Braich is an attorney at Hastings and Hastings, practicing in the Mesa/Casa Grande office. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Arizona State University and an M.A. in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University. He earned his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2013 and was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in the same year. He is bilingual in Spanish.

Paula Millan

Lubbock, TX

Paula Millan was born in Bogota, Colombia, and moved to Katy, Texas at a young age. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from The University of Texas at Austin, becoming a U.S. citizen the same year. She received her Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech University School of Law, during which she interned with the Colombian government's money laundering department in Bogota. Ms. Millan is licensed by the State Bar of Texas, New Mexico, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. She joined The Kiechler Law Firm, PLLC in April 2021 and is devoted to providing high-quality service and communication to her clients.

Tyler Thompson is an Associate Attorney at Perez Mayoral, P.A., representing property owners who have suffered damage to their home or condo. He has experience in general liability defense and first-party property disputes, having represented both insureds and insurers.

Rachel C. Perler

Seattle, WA

Rachel Perler is an associate attorney specializing in insurance law, personal injury defense, medical malpractice, and appellate practice. She earned her J.D. from Yale Law School, where she served as lead editor for the Yale Journal of Health Law, Policy, and Ethics.

Dennys Hyder

Seattle, WA

Dennys is a bilingual English and Spanish paralegal, intake specialist, and a true luminary in the field of personal injury. Dennys possesses a remarkable proficiency that extends beyond the realm of legal matters, as she excels in assisting clients with the intricacies of property damage and vehicle repair aspects within their Seattle personal injury cases. Her unwavering commitment ensures that our clients consistently receive the highest level of care and support.

Yoselin Martin

Las Cruces, NM

Yoselin Martin attended the University of Colorado Boulder and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in political science and sociology before moving to Albuquerque for law school. She graduated cum laude from the University of New Mexico School of Law before joining Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro as an associate attorney. For the last four years, Ms. Martin has immersed herself in the legal profession, gaining extensive experience at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as well as several New Mexico and Colorado law firms. In addition to her high-achieving academic and legal experience, throughout her time in college and law school, Ms. Martin has held several leadership roles, including President of Pi Lambda Chi Latina Sorority Inc., Vice President of the University of New Mexico ACLU, Secretary of the Mexican American Law Students Association, Senatorial Intern with the Colorado Latino Leadership Advocacy & Research Organization, and advisor to the Association of Public Interest Law. Ms. Martin is also fluent in Spanish.

Sophia R. Gustafson

Bettendorf, IA

Sophia R. Gustafson is an attorney who graduated from the University of Colorado - Boulder with degrees in Spanish Language and Literature and Sociology, and from the University of Iowa Law School with distinction in 2024. She is passionate about working for and with laborers, having received the Jurisprudence Award for Academic Excellence for her paper on minority women’s labor activism. She also received the Michelle R. Bennett Client Representation Award for her work in the Immigration Clinic.

Luis Fernando Baez is an attorney who graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and South Texas College of Law in Houston. Inspired by his hardworking parents, he is dedicated to serving Hispanic families, helping them navigate legal processes and secure justice. He aims to break down barriers and fears clients may have regarding courts and large companies, ensuring they feel confident and knowledgeable throughout their cases. As part of Mario Davila's legal team, he prioritizes direct client relationships, traveling to meet with clients and their families to understand their goals and concerns. His objective is to act as a bridge for clients to achieve justice, operating on a contingency fee basis. He has been a member of the Texas Bar Association since 2004.

Paula Padilla

Phoenix, AZ

Paula Padilla has practiced immigration law since April of 2012. She started practicing law at a non-profit immigration firm in Portland, Oregon, representing individuals before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and unaccompanied minors in immigration court. After this, she moved to private practice and joined Maria Jones Law Firm in March of 2015 as a supervising attorney for the USCIS Department. In April of 2017, Paula decided to work part-time as a unitary practitioner to focus on her family while still dedicating part of her time to helping immigrants. Paula returned to Maria Jones Law Firm in 2019 as a supervising attorney for Adjustment of Status, Naturalization, and U Visa cases. Paula immigrated to the United States from Mexico when she was 7 years old, and as an immigrant herself, she understands the fear and struggles that many people face due to their immigration status. For this reason, Paula is passionate about helping immigrants and fights for their rights to ensure they receive high-quality support that meets their needs. During her years of practice, Paula has helped hundreds of people obtain legal status in this country. Her dedication and commitment to serving immigrants stems from her love and respect for the immigrant community, which is why she works hard to help immigrants achieve their dream of living in this country with freedom and stability.

Gabby Parra

Culver City, CA

For over 10 years, Gabby has been a dedicated paralegal, delivering exceptional legal support with precision and compassion. Her deep knowledge of personal injury cases, combined with her empathetic approach, ensures that every client feels understood and supported throughout the legal journey. Gabby’s keen attention to detail and expertise are invaluable assets to our team, helping clients confidently navigate even the most complex aspects of their cases.

Pablo Isaza

Baton Rouge, LA

Pablo Isaza is a lawyer specializing in accident cases, personal injuries, wrongful death, discrimination, and constitutional law. Originally from Colombia and an immigrant himself, he speaks Spanish. He received his Doctorate from Tulane University, graduating with honors, and was a member of the Civil Rights Clinic and Tax Clinic, where he received an award for his work in discrimination cases. He worked for prominent Louisiana appellate court judges before focusing on private practice.

Jazmyn S. Weber

La Grange, KY

Jazmyn S. Weber joined Pearson & Paris, P.S.C. as an associate attorney in September of 2023. Ms. Weber received her Juris Doctorate from Louis D. Brandeis School of Law. During her law school career, Ms. Weber was a member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society, Arbitration Moot Court, the Student Bar Association where she served as Social Chair, and she worked as a legal research assistant for various professors. Ms. Weber comes to us from Stillman Valley, Illinois. However, she has called Louisville home since 2015 when she began her undergraduate career at the University of Louisville. Ms. Weber is an avid Cards fan and enjoys spending time outside of work attending games. In addition to attending Cards games, she loves spending time at Churchill Downs, playing sand volleyball, and trying out new restaurants and breweries throughout the city of Louisville. Outside the office, you will almost always find her with her dog, Brew! Ms. Weber is licensed to practice law in the State of Kentucky. She serves the greater Louisville metro area including Oldham County, Jefferson County, Bullitt County, Henry County, Shelby County, Trimble County, and Carroll County. Whether you’re facing complex legal challenges or seeking proactive counsel, Ms. Weber is here to guide you through the legal maze with unwavering determination and attention to detail. Her commitment to providing personalized, strategic, and results-driven legal representation makes her a trusted advocate for her clients. Ms. Weber’s experience in legal writing and communication continues to prove her ability to fiercely advocate for her clients’ rights and interests.

Isaac Ortiz

Isaac Ortiz is an attorney practicing real estate law in Greenville, South Carolina. Originally from Savannah, Georgia, he graduated from The Ohio State University and passed the South Carolina bar exam in 2022. He also studied legal ethics at the University of Oxford. Isaac is bilingual in English and Spanish, ensuring clients are comfortable in their native language during real estate closings.