Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

Daisy Velazquez is a Legal Assistant at 844SeeMike Personal Injury Lawyers. She recently entered the legal field, driven by a passion for justice, and holds a degree in Criminal Justice. She is continuing her education with the goal of becoming an attorney.

With over 40 years of experience in the legal field, Christina brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and real-world insight to every case she handles. Her legal career began in 1999 at Walter Clark Legal Group, where she started as a litigation paralegal. Through hard work and determination, Christina progressed into Case Management before ultimately becoming an attorney, gaining invaluable hands-on experience managing complex legal matters. In 2014, while working full-time, Christina earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, San Bernardino. Demonstrating unwavering commitment to professional growth, she pursued law school at California Desert Trial Academy, balancing full-time work with rigorous studies. She earned her Juris Doctor degree in May 2022 and was admitted to practice law in California in May 2024. Christina is an active member of the State Bar of California, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Consumer Attorneys of California, and the Desert Bar Association. A lifelong resident of the Coachella Valley, she is fluent in Spanish, enabling her to effectively serve the local community in both English and Spanish.

Guadalupe Tong is a Certified Legal Specialist in Workers' Compensation, dedicated to advocating for clients in the Central Valley. Guadalupe holds a J.D. from Humphreys College and a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA, and was admitted to the California Bar in 2013.

Christian Simpson is the CEO and Principal Attorney of the firm. Mr. Simpson began his career as an insurance defense attorney, representing health care providers in complex medical negligence cases. He later represented individual whistleblowers who sought to protect the government from fraudulent activities of the companies they worked for. Mr. Simpson then associated with a boutique personal injury firm to bring his years of experience as a passionate advocate for individuals, and knowledge of insurance defense tactics, to work on behalf of clients injured in motor vehicle accidents and nursing homes. Mr. Simpson grew up in Alexandria, Virginia and attended William and Mary Law School. Both his father and his grandfather were lawyers in Liberia. His father's reputation was one of the highest integrity.

Julie Moreno serves as Kanner & Pintaluga’s Treasurer and is a member of the Firm’s Executive Leadership Team. As Treasurer, she is responsible for auditing client settlement statements and managing incoming and outgoing capital for the Firm. In addition, she acts as the liaison for the multiple real estate assets held by Firm’s affiliated entities. Julie joined Kanner & Pintaluga in 2009 as a receptionist and quickly rose to several supervisory positions. Prior to her current position, she served in an Executive Assistant role to the Firm’s Principals. Julie earned a A.S. in Paralegal Studies from Palm Beach Community College and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University. She is also a Licensed Florida Real Estate Agent and a Florida Notary Public.

Breanna Small

Glendale, CA

Breanna is a dedicated advocate with a varied legal background who is strongly motivated by seeking justice for clients and curbing corporate greed. During law school, Breanna explored a wide variety of legal fields, as she volunteered at Asylum and immigration clinics, represented children in public school suspension hearings, interned with a local non-profit focused on economic justice, and served as an advisor to a small island nation at the United Nations, among other endeavors. Immediately after law school, Breanna commenced a Fellowship at the international NGO Human Rights Watch, where she conducted field research and advocacy related to refugee children’s right to education, culminating in the publishing of a report on the topic. Breanna subsequently spent 4.5 years practicing as an immigration attorney at a non-profit in NYC, providing trauma-informed legal representation to unaccompanied children facing removal proceedings. Now in her role as an advocate at LFJ, Breanna is eager to continue bringing her client-centered and justice-oriented approach to her efforts to enforce the legal rights of all workers.

Nestor E. Nazario

Orlando, FL

Nestor E. Nazario was born and raised in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. He obtained his Juris Doctor from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Law. He worked as a legal clerk and paralegal for more than 7 years, including as a paralegal at Payas, Payas & Payas after relocating to Orlando, Florida. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2022.

Litsy Luna is an Associate Paralegal at The Alfred Firm. She assists and organizes case files, manages medical records, and provides top service to clients. She previously worked as a Legal Administrator and Bilingual Interpreter in a Huntsville law firm, handling Personal Injury and Civil Litigation cases.

Marla Soffer

Philadelphia, PA

Marla Soffer passed away peacefully on February 5, 2023. She was known for her dedication to the arts, travel, civic engagement, and supporting vulnerable community members. She embraced principles of trust, candor, and fairness.

Raquel Smith

Rockville, MD

Raquel Smith joined the firm in 2022. She has extensive experience earned at some of the top law firms in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. She advocates for clients in Maryland, focusing on serious criminal felony cases, misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic offenses, domestic violence protective orders, MVA license suspension hearings, administrative hearings, post-conviction petitions, appeals, and general litigation. She is a fluent Spanish-speaking attorney.

Frank McQuade

Jacksonville, NC

Frank McQuade is an associate attorney in the Clinton office, specializing in criminal defense. He has over a decade of experience as a former prosecutor. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brigham Young University and his law degree from Wake Forest University in 2008. He served as an Assistant District Attorney for 14 years, handling hundreds of criminal trials. In 2011, he was awarded by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. He then worked at the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office from 2022 to 2024 before joining Silva, Kiernan & Associates in 2024.

August N. Santore, Jr. has been practicing law for over 25 years. He is a former municipal prosecutor, current private practitioner, and court-appointed attorney for indigent defendants, having handled over 6000 cases in municipal court. He has an extensive accounting and business background, which makes him a suitable choice for business matters. He has significant experience in DUI defense, traffic matters, criminal defense, real estate, business formation, business sales and acquisition, zoning issues, wills, and litigation. He is known for his diligent, straightforward approach and ability to interact well with clients.

Ashley is a dedicated legal assistant and receptionist at Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, playing a crucial role in supporting both clients and attorneys. With exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, she ensures the smooth operation of our office. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Ashley is committed to providing excellent service to our diverse clientele, facilitating clear communication and understanding. She is passionate about expanding her knowledge in the legal field and continually seeks opportunities for professional growth.

Henry Alzate

Phoenix, AZ

Henry Alzate es un abogado con catorce años de experiencia en derecho de familia, incluyendo apelaciones, custodia de menores, manutención de hijos, divorcio, casos interestatales, jurisdicción, violencia doméstica, división de bienes, pensión alimenticia, bienes raíces y derecho comercial. Se graduó de la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Indiana. Henry es conocido por su enfoque directo y su profundo conocimiento de la ley, y se enorgullece de su capacidad para presentar apelaciones y mociones efectivas. Su experiencia personal, habiendo crecido en Colombia bajo regímenes violentos y pasado por un divorcio, le permite empatizar con sus clientes y guiarlos a través de procesos difíciles. Ha manejado cientos de juicios y miles de audiencias, y se dedica a lograr el mejor resultado posible para sus clientes.

Kristen Somma

Davie, FL

Kristen Barros Somma, Esq. is a South Florida native and was raised in Broward County. She attended Florida International University (“FIU”) where she earned a Bachelors in Arts and Sciences with a major in Political Science and a minor in Communications. She was named to the Dean’s List every semester while at FIU. She was also a Student Senator in the Student Government Association for the largest population of students, the College of Arts and Sciences which had about 10,000 students at the time. Kristen continued her education at the University of Miami School of Law where she ultimately earned her Juris Doctor. She spent her first summer in law school interning at the Mineo Salcedo Law Firm where she assisted the partners and associates in legal research and participated in the litigation process. While in law school, she also participated in the University’s Immigration Clinic where represented non-citizens, pro bono, in their pursuit of asylum into the United State and won for her first ever client. Kristen is a licensed Florida Attorney and is fluent in Spanish. She now focuses her practice in the area of homeowners’ property insurance litigation and officially rejoined the Mineo Salcedo Law Firm as a practicing attorney in April of 2020 where she fights for the rights of homeowners throughout the State.

Kathleen Winston

Spring, TX

Kathleen 'Katie' Winston is a skilled paralegal at Hernandez Law Firm, with four years of experience. She grew up in The Woodlands, Texas. She holds a Bachelor’s in Spanish from Sam Houston State University and a Master’s in Counseling Education from Sam Houston University, graduating in 2024. Fluent in English and Spanish, she brings diverse communication skills. Outside of work, she enjoys watching movies, cross-stitching, and spending time with her cats.

Liliana Carrasco

Yakima, WA

Liliana Carrasco, raised in Yakima, WA, graduated from Eisenhower High School and earned an AA as a Bilingual Legal Office Assistant from Yakima Valley Community College. She joined Morales Law Office as an intern and became a permanent receptionist in June 2022. She is fluent in Spanish and English and handles phone calls, mail, filing, and record requests.

Juliana L. Sawyer

Raleigh, NC

Juliana L. Sawyer is a 2024 graduate of Vanderbilt Law School in Nashville, Tennessee. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama in 2020 with a major in Political Science and minors in Spanish and Linguistics. She received her Master of Public Administration in 2021, also from the University of Alabama. During law school, Juliana interned with DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, Disability Rights Tennessee, and Quinn Law Centers in Richmond, Virginia. She was a member of the Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law and had leadership roles in Law Students for Social Justice and If/When/How. Juliana began working at DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall in her current role in 2024 and focuses her practice exclusively in the area of civil litigation.

Mayra is a dedicated attorney with an unwavering commitment to serving the Latine low-income community. With a special focus on farmworkers who often encounter significant barriers within the legal system, Mayra’s dedication sets her apart as a compassionate and determined advocate for those who often go unrepresented. Mayra’s journey to becoming a lawyer is deeply rooted in her personal background. Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, and raised in Hood River, Oregon, she is the daughter of farmworkers who endured workplace injuries and faced barriers to accessing information about their legal rights. These early experiences ignited a profound passion within her to make a meaningful difference in her community. Prior to joining Pickett Dummigan Weingart, Mayra worked at the Northwest Workers’ Justice Project, where her practice was centered on representing farmworkers in employment law cases, including those involving the Oregon Contractor Registration Act, Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, and workers’ compensation retaliation claims. Her expertise in this area is an invaluable asset that she now brings to her work at PDW, where she handles cases primarily related to workplace injuries. Mayra’s commitment extends beyond the practice of law. She serves on the boards of several local organizations, including the Oregon Hispanic Bar Association, Oregon Food Bank, Oregon Consumer League, Voz, and Centro de Servicios Para Campesinos. Her dedication to these causes underscores her desire to drive positive change outside of her legal practice. Outside of work, Mayra enjoys her love for travel and food. She also finds solace in the great outdoors, particularly through hiking, and cherishes every moment spent with her family.

Cesar I. Juarez

Palm Desert, CA

The newest member of our skilled legal team, Mr. Juarez graduated with honors from Western State College of Law with a focus on criminal justice and tort law. Fluent in both Spanish and English, he is proud to serve as a legal bridge to our Latino clients and their families.

Danielle N. Yancey

Louisville, KY

Danielle N. Yancey earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 2017 and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law in 2020. She was admitted to practice law in Kentucky and previously served as an Assistant County Attorney. She joined Cotton Wolfinbarger & Associates in 2021 and represents injured workers in Workers’ Compensation claims. She is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association and Kentucky Workers Association.

Keisha Montgomery Torres

Decatur, AL

Keisha Montgomery Torres is the newest attorney at Chenault Hammond, P.C., and a new admittee to the Bar. She is dedicated to providing thoughtful and effective legal representation, bringing a fresh perspective, strong analytical skills, and a genuine passion for helping clients navigate complex legal matters. She has experience in criminal litigation and prior paralegal experience in civil, domestic relations, and probate matters.