Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

Douglas A. Gessell

Stockton, CA

Douglas A. Gessell grew up in the Stockton area. He obtained his Bachelors of Arts degree from Brigham Young University in 1993. After working as a Public School Teacher, he returned to obtain his Juris Doctor degree from J. Rueben Clark School of Law, at Brigham Young University in 2000. Upon graduating, he promptly passed the California Bar exam and started working as an associate for a civil defense firm in Redding, California. He then began working as an associate with the plaintiff’s firm of Sayre & Chavez in Sacramento. In 2005, he and Steven L. Brown formed their current firm. He is fluent in Spanish and works as a consulting attorney for the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento.

John B. Richards

Santa Barbara, CA

For over 30 years, John B. Richards has dedicated his career to representing individuals harmed by the wrongful actions of others. He has built a reputation as a record-breaking personal injury attorney who aggressively protects the rights of injured victims across Central and Southern California.

Kenneth Kroopf

San Francisco, CA

Kenneth Kroopf has over 45 years of experience in general civil law and litigation, now serving as a consultant focusing on personal injury. He retired from practicing law in January 2024. He is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law and UCLA, and speaks Spanish. He is active in the Monterey legal community and has received several recognitions.

Michael S. Valiente

Las Vegas, NV

Michael S. Valiente, Partner at Valiente Mott, left his position at Nevada’s preeminent insurance defense trial law firm to help people, not insurance companies. He has extensive experience representing victims of car accidents, defective products, and catastrophic injury. Mike prides himself in providing unparalleled customer service. He graduated at the top of his class from UNLV with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and from the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV, where he received multiple CALI awards and was a member of Boyd’s National Moot Court team. He was honored with the James E. Rogers Scholastic Achievement Award and the Scribes, The American Society of Legal Writers Award. After defending big insurance companies, he started his own firm to help people. In 2017, Mike was voted one of Las Vegas’ Legal Elite. He is fluent in Spanish, and is licensed in both Nevada and California.

Frank Balderrama

Albuquerque, NM

Frank Balderrama is a native New Mexican who graduated from New Mexico State University and the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2006. He focuses his practice on personal injury, litigating a variety of cases including trucking/auto/motorcycle collisions, DWI accidents, oilfield accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, train and airplane collisions, electrocution cases, slip/trip and fall cases, and bug infestation injuries. He has also been involved in mass tort litigation. Frank has litigated cases in State and Federal Court and successfully argued before the New Mexico Court of Appeals and State Supreme Court.

Cary C. Woods II

Miami, FL

Cary C. Woods II is a Miami-based attorney and the founder of the Law Office of Cary Woods II. With 15 years of experience, he began his career as a civil defense attorney, representing insurance companies and corporations. He now focuses his practice on personal injury cases, including premises liability, auto liability, liquor liability, insurance coverage, products liability, and general civil litigation. Mr. Woods earned his BA in Political Science and International Affairs from Florida State University and his JD from St. Thomas University School of Law, where he received two book awards. He is admitted to the Florida Bar (2006) and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. He has been recognized by The National Black Lawyers Top 100 and holds an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell. He is a member of the Florida Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Miami-Dade Bar Association. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

David L. Lybbert

Moses Lake, WA

Active in litigation and representation of clients regarding Social Security disability and workers compensation claims since starting to practice law in the summer of 1986. I have handled cases involving injuries to the back, the neck, severe head injuries, shoulders, knees, hips, ankles and feet. I have represented clients regarding heart attacks that occurred at work, strokes that occurred at work. I have litigated and obtained coverage for my clients regarding major depressive disorder, aggravation of bipolar disorder, PTSD, adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders etc. I have litigated the allowance of occupational disease claims for hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, and lung disease. I have represented clients whose claims are being adjudicated by the Department of Labor and Industries, or by way of hearings presented to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, as well as, appeals to Superior Court, regional Courts of Appeals, and the Washington State Supreme Court. I have tried cases to juries and to Judges in multiple counties in the state of Washington, including, but not limited to, Grant County, Adams County, Lincoln County, Stevens County, Okanogan County, Chelan County, Douglas County, Spokane County, Walla Walla County, Columbia County, Garfield County, Franklin County, Benton County, Yakima County, Snohomish County, and King County. My representation of a client at the Washington state Supreme Court led to a landmark decision regarding how time loss benefits are to be calculated when dealing with wages for farmworkers. The ruling made in my case have been followed, and cited as the law of the state, by other courts for decades. I love languages. Having served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in France and Switzerland, I am fluent in French. I have conversational abilities in Spanish. I also understand some German. When not practicing law, my time is absorbed with hobbies that include fishing, golfing, and raising grandchildren.

Kyle R. Tatum

Las Vegas, NV

Kyle R. Tatum is an attorney specializing in personal injury and employment law. He has extensive experience in litigation against various defendants, including insurance companies and international corporations. He was awarded the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award for Personal Injury in 2014.

Eric Wolfgram

St. Louis, MO

Eric Wolfgram, born and raised in St. Louis, earned his J.D. from Quinnipiac University School of Law. He has represented clients in wrongful death, premises liability, worker’s compensation, and automobile accidents, with a particular passion for personal injury cases. He has been recognized by Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers as a Rising Star.

Javier Ruiz

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL

Javier Ruiz is a litigating attorney specializing in personal injury, workers' compensation, Longshore, and Defense Base Act cases. He is known for aggressive representation and providing essential advice to injured individuals. A native of Miami, Florida, he is fluent in Spanish and graduated from Florida International University School of Law with degrees in Finance and Economics.

John C. Lukacs, Jr.

Coral Gables, FL

John C. Lukacs, Jr. is a founder of Raposo & Lukacs, PLLC and is dedicated to representing victims of personal injury and medical malpractice. He has built a reputation as a tireless and tenacious advocate for his clients and has recovered millions of dollars. He previously worked for insurance defense firms, gaining invaluable insider perspective. He has handled even the most complex cases involving traffic accidents, dangerous premises, hospital negligence, or other medical error cases. He is recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, South Florida Legal Guide, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, National Trial Lawyers Top 40, and TopVerdict.com for top ten (2021) and top fifty (2024) jury verdicts. He is a life-time member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He was also recognized as one of the Top Lawyers for 2020, 2021, and 2022 in South Florida Legal Guide.

Alex Mendez

Tampa, FL

Alex Mendez is a bilingual Partner at Shrader Mendez & O’Connell, with deep roots in the law. He was a baseball student-athlete at the University of South Florida, double-majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Business Management, and earned Capital One Academic All-American honors. Alex also holds a Masters of Public Health from the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, and completed an intensive trial advocacy program at Oxford University. He specializes in personal injury, criminal defense, consumer protection, class actions, and business disputes.

William Cafaro

New York, NY

William Cafaro is the principal of the Law Offices of William Cafaro, and he has taken several eight-figure verdicts and has obtained numerous seven figure verdicts and settlements. After law school, Bill Cafaro worked as a criminal defense attorney in Northern California. In 1981, he returned to his native New York to serve as a Narcotics Prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s Office until 1986, when he turned his focus to personal injury as a sole practitioner in Jackson Heights, Queens. He is a firm believer in exhaustive trial preparation, with particular attention to medical animations and illustrations of the specific injuries sustained by each client. Over the last six years, Mr. Cafaro has applied his litigation skills toward representing employees aggressively in overtime and discrimination cases. He has represented hundreds of workers successfully in individual wage and hour cases, including class and collective actions. He also litigates discrimination cases in both the federal and state courts. Fluency in Spanish helps Mr. Cafaro to communicate with clients in their native language.

Lance Ehrenberg

New York, NY

Lance Ehrenberg is «of counsel» to Goidel & Siegel, LLP and, in that capacity, he prosecutes both medical and dental malpractice cases with Goidel & Siegel, LLP. Mr. Ehrenberg was admitted to practice law in the Courts of the State of New York, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Lance graduated from Washington and Lee University School of Law in Lexington Virginia, and he obtained his undergraduate degree from Colgate University. Mr. Ehrenberg is a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the American Association for Justice, and the New York County Lawyers Association. Mr. Ehrenberg has successfully tried numerous jury and non-jury cases in both the State and Federal trial courts within New York City and the surrounding counties.

Joseph M. Bedoy

Houston, TX

A life-long Houston resident, Joseph Bedoy graduated with honors from The University of Houston in 2002, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature with a minor in Marketing. Afterwards, he attended the University of Houston Law Center, where he graduated in 2006. Joseph’s legal career began with the Ngo Law Firm in Houston. There, his practice focused on criminal defense, family law and personal injury cases. He stayed with the firm for more than 4 years. In December 2011, Joseph joined the team at Abbott, Clay & Bedoy, LLC. Since that time, he has concentrated his practice on workers’ compensation, personal injury, and other types of injury cases. As a natural leader, Joseph’s extreme work ethic and innovative ideas have brought many positive changes to the way Abbott, Clay & Bedoy approaches client representation in a technical environment, leading to an overall increase in our clients’ obtaining the medical care and income benefits that they deserve.

Adrian R. Martinez

Weslaco, TX

Adrian R. Martinez was born and raised in both Houston, Texas and Mexico, an experience that shaped his dedication to justice and advocacy for underserved communities. With over 30 plus years of trying cases he focuses his practice on personal injury, mass tort, and complex commercial litigation. Adrian is deeply committed to representing individuals who have been harmed, with a passion for giving a voice to those who often go unheard. With a strong belief in the role attorneys play in shaping society, Adrian views the legal profession as a powerful platform for meaningful impact. He has previously been involved with local bar associations and is currently active in various trial lawyer organizations. He also provides pro bono legal services to individuals who cannot afford representation, reflecting his ongoing commitment to access to justice.

William J. Gillespie

William J. Gillespie is an attorney who has been in practice since 1996, concentrating in Personal Injury, Family Law/Divorce, Criminal Law/DUI, and Immigration Law. He is an active member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Plymouth County Bar Association.

David I. Fischer

Oakland, CA

David I. Fischer is the founding attorney and sole practitioner at the Law Office of David I. Fischer. He has over 35 years of experience representing clients in personal injury cases, including motor vehicle accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, dog bites, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death. Mr. Fischer has extensive experience in negotiating settlements, arbitration, mediation, and trial. He also serves as a Small Claims Court Judge, providing him with insight into both sides of legal disputes.

John K. Overchuck

Orlando, FL

John K. Overchuck is the Managing Attorney at Overchuck Law Firm. He is dedicated to his clients, making himself accessible even on weekends and providing his personal email for direct communication. He earned his Juris Doctorate in 2002 and passed the Florida Bar Exam on his first attempt. With over 20 years of experience, he has handled over 1000 personal injury and wrongful death cases, recovering over $75 million for his clients. His career began at a personal injury law firm at age sixteen, building the foundation for his successful practice. He is a relentless advocate for justice and a trusted referral source for legal matters.

Malcolm Davis Smith, Jr.

Tulsa, OK

Malcolm Davis Smith, Jr. is the Managing Partner/Attorney at the Law Office of Malcolm D. Smith, Jr. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1981 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University. He has extensive experience in workers' compensation defense, insurance defense, and personal injury, having served as an Assistant City Prosecutor and operated a private general law practice. A veteran of hundreds of non-jury trials and 85 jury trials, he is also accomplished in appellate practice. He has held leadership roles in various bar associations and community organizations, and has studied multiple languages including French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Gregory E. Blackwell

Orlando, FL

Greg Blackwell is a Partner in the Jacksonville office of O’Connor and Stolinas Law Group, focusing primarily on Construction Law, Personal Injury Litigation, and Commercial/Civil Litigation representing clients throughout the State of Florida. Greg has over 20 years of legal experience and has spent the majority of his career working for prominent insurance defense firms.

Tom Mumford is a personal injury attorney and law partner at Buri Funston Mumford, Attorneys at Law, based in Bellingham, Washington. He specializes in civil litigation with an emphasis on personal injury, leveraging his experience from both plaintiff and insurance defense roles. Tom is fluent in Spanish and teaches Torts at Whatcom Community College.

Charles "Charlie" Hands III, Esq.

Charlotte, NC

Charles "Charlie" Hands III, Esq., is an attorney who focuses on personal injury and family estate planning. He graduated in the top 10% of his law school class from North Carolina Central University School of Law and earned his bachelor’s from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was a NCCU Foundation Scholar, CITI Scholar, Contracts Assistant Professor, and Senior Editor of the NCCU Law Review.

Hugh V. Mossman

Boise, ID

Hugh V. Mossman has 31 years of experience as a lawyer, practicing in Boise since 1981. He is certified by the Idaho State Bar as a Workers' Compensation Specialist. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1971 and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Iowa. He is admitted to practice in Idaho before State and U. S. District Courts. He is a member of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association (and past President), American Association for Justice, and National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).