Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

Tatiana brings a wealth of experience and a personal passion for immigration law to our firm. Born and raised in Medellin, Colombia, Tatiana holds a law degree and a specialization in public law from the University of Medellin. Tatiana has honed her expertise in the legal field, specializing in public, contractual, and immigration law. Tatiana’s journey to the United States began in 2020 when she came as an au pair. Through this experience, she met her now-husband and personally navigated the challenging and intricate U.S. immigration process. This firsthand experience has fueled her dedication to helping others facing similar challenges. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Tatiana uses her language skills to effectively assist a diverse clientele, ensuring that language barriers do not impede access to legal support. Tatiana’s commitment to helping immigrants and her drive to make a positive impact are evident in her work. Her cultural awareness, compassion, and meticulous attention to detail make her an invaluable asset to our team and to the communities she serves.

Eva Arago is a dedicated paralegal at BK Law Group, where she supports the firm’s attorneys in a wide range of criminal defense matters. With strong skills in legal research, case organization, and client communication, Eva plays a key role in helping the team prepare effective defense strategies. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Eva ensures clear and supportive communication with clients from all backgrounds, helping them understand each step of the legal process. Her professionalism and calm presence are invaluable during high-pressure moments. Eva assists with drafting legal documents, managing discovery, and coordinating court filings, contributing to the firm’s reputation for thorough and strategic advocacy.

Kimberly Quesada

Charlotte, NC

Kimberly Quesada is a senior paralegal in the Immigration Department of the Firm. Ms. Quesada works in the immigration department of the firm, assisting foreign nationals with their immigration applications. She obtained her bachelor’s degree and Law Degree from the University of San Jose, Costa Rica in 2011. She obtained a specialty in Registry Law in 2016. She is licensed to practice law in Costa Rica only. She is not licensed in NC or SC. She is fluent in Spanish, which is essential for her to communicate with our Central and South American immigration clients.

Edgardo Jose Duarte

Santa Ana, CA

Edgardo Jose Duarte joined our team on January 1, 2024, and has proven to be an exceptional addition. As a case manager, he hit the ground running during a critical growth period for our firm, bringing with him tremendous expertise and experience. Edgardo is highly organized, and dependable, and requires no supervision, making him an invaluable asset to our team. Edgardo's career took a defining turn when he was offered the role of Case Manager. Although he had a background in insurance and medical treatment, he lacked specific experience in law or case management. With dedication and perseverance, Edgardo underwent extensive training and successfully grew into his role over time. Edgardo relates to clients with empathy, ensuring they feel heard and supported. He is committed to doing everything he can to assist them, building strong, trusting relationships through his compassionate approach. Edgardo's greatest strengths lie in his people skills. He excels at connecting with clients, understanding their concerns, and communicating in a way that reassures and builds trust. His determination to find effective solutions for all parties involved makes him a standout in his role. Edgardo grew up in the charming colonial city of Granada, Nicaragua. A football enthusiast, he enjoys both playing and watching the sport. He values spending quality time with friends and family, whether over a cold beer or a delicious meal.

Melanny Perez Salas

Santa Ana, CA

Melanny Perez Salas joined the team as a Case Assistant in January 2024. She assists the case manager with daily tasks, client interaction, and supports the intake department, leveraging prior experience. Born and raised in Colombia, she has a lifelong passion for reading and practices Taekwondo. As an introverted individual, she enjoys relaxing at home with family, books, and music. Melanny believes each satisfactory case outcome is a victory for defending rights, viewing every client as a unique story. She prioritizes attentive listening and regular updates, and her meticulous attention to detail ensures efficient handling of legal matters. She excels in organizational skills, document management, and clear client communication.

Caleb Treviño

Phoenix, AZ

Caleb was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico. He moved to Phoenix in 2015 and speaks three languages. Having attended business school at Arizona State University, he started his marketing career with Desert Star fresh out of school. Leveraging a mix of digital marketing, social media engagement, and community outreach, Caleb ensures that the firm’s message resonates with those in need of support. A strategic thinker, Caleb analyzes market trends and client feedback to create targeted initiatives that enhance the firm’s visibility and reputation. With a passion for storytelling, Caleb believes in the power of authentic communication to connect with clients and foster trust. When he isn’t out finding new ways to help his clients, Caleb enjoys working out, hiking during sunrise and sunset, and immersing himself in a good book.

Jaclyn M. Johnson

Valencia, CA

Clients appreciate that Jaclyn Johnson explains things to them simply. They feel comfortable asking her questions, and they know she responds quickly. Jaclyn has a B.A. in humanities from Brigham Young University with a minor in Spanish. Her interest in working with and meeting new people sparked an interest in the field of law. Jaclyn enjoys that her work is not the same every day - there are new projects always around the corner.

A Texas native, Alberto de la Torre studied political science at St. Edward’s University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. During this time, he was selected for the Thomas M. Keel Scholarship, which placed him with the Texas Legislative Budget Board, and the Moreno Rangel Scholarship, where he served as a legislative aide during the 80th Texas Legislative Session. Prior to joining the Law Office of Joel A. Levine, Mr. de la Torre practiced Social Security Disability Law succeeding in hundreds of claims all over Texas.

Yahaira Mendez

Concord, NC

Yahaira Mendez is the Office Manager and Paralegal with Brannen Law PLLC. She was raised in Concord, NC and joined the law firm in 2018. She is in charge of the day-to-day operation of the firm and is fluent in Spanish.

Lisbette Santos is a Senior Paralegal for Mazow | McCullough PC. Born in the Dominican Republic, she is bilingual in English and Spanish. She previously worked as an administrative assistant at chiropractic offices and is a certified Notary Public. She enjoys meeting clients and assisting the Spanish-speaking community.

Lucy Wesson

Bend, OR

Born and raised in Telluride, Colorado, Lucy grew up skiing, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. She recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in International Relations, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, and triple minors in Linguistics, Spanish, and Textile Arts. Her academic journey took her abroad, where she spent seven months in Rwanda and Croatia researching international law, women’s rights, and grassroots peacebuilding organizations. Lucy worked in the nonprofit sector as a grant writer and development coordinator for an international nonprofit dedicated to supporting women’s initiatives in Senegal. She also served as a legislative intern with the Oregon Student Association, where she advocated for student rights and gained valuable insights into statewide policy and lawmaking. At Two Spruce Law, Lucy brings a strong analytical mindset and a passion for justice to her role as a paralegal. Outside of work, Lucy continues her love for adventure, whether traveling to new destinations or hiking the local trails. On quieter days, she enjoys cooking and weaving on her floor-loom.

Milton Barba's legal career began after the Great Recession, transitioning from a 14-year career as a pipe welder and utility foreman. Motivated by a desire to give back to the community, he pursued legal education, earning a GED, an associate degree, and a Juris Doctor. His background in construction provides a unique asset to his clients. As a Hispanic individual born and raised in Ecuador, he is fluent in Spanish, which enhances his ability to understand and communicate with clients from diverse backgrounds. He is passionate about guiding individuals through criminal traffic violations and envisions a long career in law. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his two children, his dog, and dancing.

Joyce Vega is an attorney at the firm, recognized by clients for her compassionate approach in handling cases.

Peter Scherr

Orange, CA

Peter is a graduate of Syracuse University having earned his BA in Spanish Language, Literature and Culture. After a number of years adjusting workers’ compensation claims, Peter returned to school, earning his Juris Doctorate at Brooklyn Law School. As a workers’ compensation adjuster, Peter honed his skills as a negotiator and quickly became a top settler of cases at Republic Indemnity. Inspired by his own defense counsel, Peter returned to scholarly pursuits and earned his JD, and thereafter enjoyed working as a Deputy City Attorney, house counsel, as well as an applicant attorney. After over two decades serving clients with their legal issues, Peter was introduced to Mamie’s Pies, selling over 1,000,000 pies on QVC. However, with comp in his blood Peter returned to workers’ compensation defense. Peter has been happily married to his college sweetheart for over thirty years. They have two children, Hannah, a PhD. candidate and James, a college senior. Peter loves the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, is involved in various philanthropic interests, loves to read, sail and travel and has been practicing Pilates for seven years.

Jessica Torres

Webster, TX

Jessica Torres is the receptionist at Jose Orihuela, Attorney at Law. She assists clients with medical treatment management and scheduling. Jessica is fluent in Spanish, kindhearted, and clients appreciate her attitude, personality, enthusiasm, and professionalism. She enjoys her work because she gets to help those in difficult situations and has two boys who enjoy bike riding.

Juliet Avina-Torres

San Mateo, CA

Juliet Avina-Torres is a Legal Assistant responsible for medical chronologies and organizing client documents and files. She is fluent in Spanish.

Angel Hernandez

Ontario, CA

Angel Hernandez has been with Valiant Law since 2020. In his role as Senior Paralegal, Angel utilizes his extensive experience and thorough understanding of California labor and employment laws to support the firm’s attorneys throughout all stages of litigation. In addition to his paralegal duties, Angel specializes in Spanish translation, facilitating discovery, and maintaining case management for the firm’s Spanish-speaking clients. Angel also trains all new paralegals, ensuring they are well-equipped to uphold Valiant Law’s core principles of client service and legal excellence.

Itzel Magurno is a paralegal fluent in Spanish and English, dedicated to assisting clients throughout the litigation process.

Jennifer Courtney

Friendswood, TX

Prior to joining Parkinson Benson Potter, Dr. Courtney was a college professor. She taught writing, literature and humanities courses at numerous colleges in California and Utah, and she was a visiting professor at Shitennōji University in Japan. She specializes in language analysis, is an expert in archival research, and is credentialed in protecting human research participants. Her doctoral work focused on the untold stories of Black women in the Civil Rights Movement. Throughout her career, Dr. Courtney has presented her scholarship at national conferences and symposiums. At Parkinson Benson Potter, Dr. Courtney has many roles. She manages cases and court filings, provides research support for PBP attorneys, and drafts demands. Dr. Courtney draws on her expertise as a writing professional and her passion for social justice to advocate for fire victims, attempting to cultivate meaningful relationships with clients and tell their stories, in their own words. Dr. Courtney has also served as a community development and education coordinator in the United States Peace Corps. She worked closely with Department of Education officials in her host country to strengthen existing education infrastructure, and she obtained and managed international funds for hurricane disaster relief. She has extensive training in sustainable community development and is fluent in oral and written Spanish. In her free time, Dr. Courtney enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, cat, dog and horse. She loves running, skiing, mountain biking, traveling, and reading.

Lenin is a client services specialist with Elsner Law Firm. A native of Venezuela, Lenin is fluent in both Spanish and English. He focuses his time assisting clients in all aspects of their case. In particular, Lenin helps our Spanish speaking clients complete legal documents, provides interpretation services, and ensures that our clients receive excellent service throughout their case. In his spare time Lenin enjoys spending time with his wife and children and attending church. Lenin can be reached directly at 206-696-6629. Se Habla Espanol