Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

Daniel Tamez is an experienced litigator at SD Injury Attorneys, co-founding the firm with Steve Gnau after working for defense firms. He focuses on representing individuals against insurance companies and other entities in personal injury claims.

Karla Ruiz became a member of the State Bar of California in 2010 after receiving her law degree from the University of California Berkeley School of Law in 2009. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Women’s Studies from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2006. Ms. Ruiz also became a member of the State Bar of Texas in 2021. She has gained invaluable litigation experience and takes pride in providing zealous representation to Spanish-speaking communities.

Alicia Brush

Glendale, CA

As a dedicated member of Lawyers for Justice, PC's mediation team, Alicia's mission is to obtain justice for California workers impacted by corporate greed and misconduct by securing the greatest possible recovery. Her work with Lawyers for Justice, PC continues a career-long undertaking to enforce the legal rights of historically disenfranchised communities. Driven by a desire to advance racial equality and address injustice, she became a student of UCLA School of Law’s unparalleled Critical Race Studies program. Through her studies, Alicia developed a deeper understanding of how racism has shaped our nation’s legal system and learned strategies to further civil and human rights. After graduating, she utilized her specialized knowledge to provide zealous advocacy for her clients, first as a Deputy Public Defender for Los Angeles County, and later as a civil litigation attorney representing wronged California workers in harassment, discrimination, and retaliation matters. Alicia is proud to continue her pursuit for justice as a member of the Lawyers for Justice, PC team.

Isabel Abrams

Miami, FL

Isabel Abrams is the managing partner of Abrams Justice. Raised in Miami by Venezuelan parents, she deeply understands Miami's multicultural community. She is a passionate and assertive advocate, working tirelessly for her clients. With years of trial experience, she thrives in the courtroom and develops creative solutions. As a former assistant state attorney, she handled hundreds of criminal cases and is unafraid to challenge large insurance companies. Her prior experience representing insurance companies provides her with insider knowledge she uses to benefit her clients. Isabel prioritizes continuous communication and client well-being, explaining and guiding them through traumatic accident processes.

Natalia Tsokos

Austin, TX

Natalia Tsokos is a first-generation American who developed a passion for fighting for people in the criminal legal system after witnessing injustice at the Lubbock County Detention Center. Her parents, immigrants from Colombia and Greece, instilled in her the value of education, helping others, and embracing diversity. She graduated with a degree in social work and worked with incarcerated individuals, people in recovery, and foster children before pursuing law. She continued her education at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, concentrating in criminal law and innocence. During her summers, she interned for criminal defense attorneys in Oklahoma, Houston, and Austin, assisting on cases from assault and family violence to capital murder. At Cofer & Connelly, she relentlessly advocates for clients, leading efforts on expunctions, administrative license revocations, and license eligibility, and translating for Spanish-speaking clients. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling to Greece and Colombia, reading, and outdoor activities with her dog, Oscar.

Tina Markham graduated with honors from Sam Houston State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, with a minor in Spanish. Thereafter, Tina accepted a full-time position in administration, programming, and customer service with a local non-profit in Huntsville, Texas. During this time, Tina also pursued and graduated with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University. In October of 2014, Tina decided she wanted to switch career focus and started working for Bloodworth Law Firm as a Legal Secretary. Tina ended up enjoying the legal field so much that she enrolled in and was accepted into the Executive JD program with Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota in the fall of 2017. This Executive JD program is a hybrid program and is fully accredited with the American Bar Association. This hybrid program allowed for Tina to strategically divide her legal education between traveling to Minnesota and remaining in Texas, maintain her residency in Texas, and continue to be employed with Bloodworth Law Firm as a Senior Paralegal while in law school. While in law school, Tina earned the honor of being on the Dean’s List and a nominee for the Burton Award, which is a prestigious legal writing award presented to first-year students at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Tina was licensed to practice law in April of 2021 by the Supreme Court of Texas and will continue her legal journey as an Associate Attorney with Bloodworth Law Firm.

Victor M. Arellano

Rocky River, OH

Victor M. Arellano is a Partner/Shareholder at Arellano & Phebus S.C., focusing on personal injury, medical negligence, employment, criminal, and immigration law. He is a bilingual lawyer.

David Handley

Glen Ellyn, IL

David Handley joins Burke & Handley, P.C. after five years at civil litigation defense firms in Chicago. He has extensive experience representing businesses, hospitals, doctors, municipalities, and international manufacturers, handling cases from pre-litigation through trial and appeals. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Civil Practice and Procedure Section Council and authors a bi-annual chapter for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education. He earned his J.D. cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2018 and his B.A. magna cum laude in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2013. He served as a Judicial Extern for Hon. John W. Darrah and worked for the Chicago Transit Authority’s Law Department. He is proficient in Spanish and served as General Counsel for the Leukemia Research Foundation Affiliate Board.

Erika Ruch is an attorney at Ballin, Ballin & Fishman, P.C., specializing in Criminal Defense and Civil Forfeiture. She earned her J.D. from Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in Memphis, TN in 2011 and a B.S. in International Relations from Middle Tennessee State University in 2004. She holds an Intermediate Diploma in Spanish (D.E.L.E.). She was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 2012 and the U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee in 2017.

Manuela C. Pinilla

Chicago, IL

Manuela demonstrates kindness and compassion within her work, always leaving a positive impact on our clients. She is committed to right wrongdoings and to offer our clients personalized attention to obtain the justice they deserve.

Roberto Rodriguez

Bryan, TX

Roberto Rodriguez, born in Monterrey, Mexico, has lived in Bryan/College Station for 14 years. He graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Political Science degree. He is a paralegal for family law cases, a member of the Brazos Valley Legal Professionals Association, and volunteers for Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network (BIIN) as a translator.

Victor M. Arellano

Fairhope, AL

Victor M. Arellano is a bilingual lawyer focusing on personal injury in accidents and at work, medical negligence, employment, criminal, and immigration law. He is a Partner/Shareholder at Arellano & Phebus, S.C. and has been recognized by various legal associations for legal ability and ethical standards.

James Trujillo’s journey from the West Texas town of El Paso to becoming a distinguished attorney is marked by academic excellence and a relentless pursuit of justice. His commitment to the legal profession is rooted in his education, starting with the University of Texas in Austin, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Applied Learning and Development. His academic pursuits included minors in Psychology, English Literature, and Spanish. Building on this strong foundation, James furthered his education at the University of Missouri School of Law, where he earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree. James’s professional accomplishments are nothing short of remarkable. With a track record of successfully trying and arbitrating over one hundred and fifty cases to verdicts, he has demonstrated exceptional skill in achieving million-dollar outcomes for his clients. Notably, his prowess earned him the title of Litigator of the Week by Texas Lawyer Magazine in 2011, following one of the largest verdicts in Smith County, Texas. He repeated this feat in 2017, with his verdict listed among the top 10 work-injury verdicts in the state. In 2018, James exhibited his dedication and skill by trying twenty-eight cases, winning an impressive fourteen in a row. His commitment to securing favorable verdicts continued, with success in twenty-one out of the twenty-eight cases tried. This remarkable achievement underscores not only his legal acumen but also his unwavering passion for defending the rights of Texas clients. James Trujillo’s story is one of excellence, perseverance, and an unyielding commitment to justice. His tireless efforts in the courtroom reflect his dedication to ensuring that every client he represents obtains the justice they deserve. James is a Member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He has also tried and arbitrated over 300 cases to final verdicts.