Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

Armando J. Berriz

Agoura Hills, CA

Armando J. Berriz graduated from UCLA in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine Law School in 1994. He was immediately admitted to practice law throughout California and Federal Court in the United States District Court, Central District of California. He has focused his practice on representing the injured, recovering tens of millions of dollars for clients in a wide variety of personal injury and fatality cases. He is a seasoned trial attorney and a member of The American Board of Trial Advocates, California Coast Chapter, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, and Consumer Attorneys of California. He is bilingual in Spanish.

Robert Smoler

Chicago, IL

Robert Smoler founded Smoler Law Office in 1983, focusing on personal injury, wrongful death, workers' compensation, and civil litigation. He has appeared before the Illinois Appellate Court and the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, and serves as an Arbitrator for the Circuit Court of Cook County. Mr. Smoler is conversational in Spanish and is known for his personalized client attention.

Andrew J. Thomas

Las Vegas, NV

Andrew J. Thomas is an attorney admitted to practice in Nevada since 1989. He holds degrees from Pomona College and the University of Southern California Law School. He is a past president of the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association and is A-rated in Martindale-Hubbell. He is fluent in Spanish and focuses on Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice.

Marco F. Sylvania

Greensburg, PA

Marco F. Sylvania joined Bononi & Company in 2015. His practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, and Property law matters. He has been recognized as a 'Top 40 Under 40' by the National Trial Lawyers Association and a 'Rising Star' by Superlawyers. He is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and an Associate Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.

Christopher W. Bennett

Waco, TX

Christopher W. Bennett joined the firm in 2010 and manages the firm’s Austin office. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and South Texas College of Law. He has broad experience representing individuals in state and federal courts in cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, and civil rights. Mr. Bennett is a member of the Austin Bar Association, Austin Young Lawyer’s Association, and the Capital Area Trial Lawyer’s Association. In his spare time, Mr. Bennett enjoys rooting on the Missouri Tigers and traveling.

Joseph Suarez, Esq.

Miami Lakes, FL

As the Managing Partner of Founders Law in Georgia, I bring over five years of dedicated legal practice to our firm. My journey at Founders Law began at the age of 18 as a legal assistant, where I developed a deep understanding of personal injury law. Over the years, I've grown into a leadership role, overseeing operations and ensuring exceptional client service. I graduated from Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Opa Locka, Florida, before earning a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. Inspired by a desire to deepen my impact in solving legal challenges, I pursued my Juris Doctor at St. Thomas University, graduating in 2023. I am licensed to practice law in both Georgia and Florida, having successfully passed two bar exams within one year. I am also scheduled to take the California Bar in July 2024. In addition to personal injury law, I am a licensed real estate broker and mortgage loan originator in Florida. My expertise extends to real estate law, where I have contributed to significant transactions and legal resolutions. Driven by the belief that attorneys play a crucial role in shaping our society, I entered the legal profession to solve complex issues and advocate for justice. I prioritize putting clients first, upholding principles of respect, honesty, integrity, and confidentiality in every case. Outside of my legal career, I find solace in outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting. These hobbies not only provide relaxation but also instill a sense of discipline and patience, qualities that resonate in my approach to legal practice. I am actively involved in community initiatives aimed at promoting legal education and access to justice. Through pro bono work and volunteer efforts, I contribute to making legal resources more accessible to underserved communities. Looking ahead, I am committed to expanding Founders Law's impact across Georgia and Florida, continuing to deliver exceptional legal services, and staying at the forefront of legal advancements in personal injury and real estate law.

Linda Le Jones

Lufkin, TX

Linda Le Jones first became interested in law school during her time as a CASA volunteer in East Texas. She has clerked for CvPA since her 1L year as well as at the Smith County D.A.’s office in the CPS division on her path of trial attorney. Jones graduated from University of Texas at Tyler with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She then graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2021 with her Doctor of Jurisprudence. Born and raised in Longview, Jones is married and has two kids. She enjoys spending her free time with family and friends, going to the gym-boxing, and outdoor mountain bike riding. She is fluent in Vietnamese and is currently taking Spanish classes. Le is a member of the Smith County Bar Association, Dallas Bar Association, Angelina Bar Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and AIEG.

Roberto Vazquez

Orlando, FL

Attorney Roberto Vazquez is a civil litigation attorney practicing out of Orlando, Florida. As a member of both the Orange County Bar Association and the Florida Bar Association, he is able to not only assist clients in central Florida, but also throughout the state. While his well-rounded experience allows him to represent clients in most general, real estate, and civil litigation matters, his passion lies representing clients involved in personal injury, personal injury defense, and related matters. Over the past 10+ years, Roberto has successfully represented thousands of individuals and families in central Florida and throughout the state.

Antonio “Tony” González

Corpus Christi, TX

Antonio “Tony” González is an attorney at A. González Law Firm, P.L.L.C., specializing in family law, criminal law, and personal injury. He was admitted to the Texas bar in 1996.

Jeff Kreutz

Yakima, WA

Jeff Kreutz grew up in Richland, Washington and has been a trial lawyer for more than twenty years. He obtained an English degree from Brigham Young University and a law degree from Seattle University. He practiced as an insurance defense attorney for 11 years in Yakima and 4 years in Richland before switching to representing plaintiffs in 2013. He has a unique perspective on litigation strategy and a passion for assisting those in need. Jeff is fluent in written and spoken Spanish.

Stephen D. Brown

West Orange, NJ

Stephen D. Brown, Esq. is the principal attorney at Brown Law, LLC, which he established in 1987. He has three decades of experience in personal injury and negligence claims, representing clients across New Jersey. Mr. Brown is well-versed in Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Criminal Defense/Municipal Court, Consumer Fraud, and Family Law. He is dedicated to providing vigorous advocacy and open communication with clients, ensuring clients are informed and supported throughout their cases. His passion for fighting for clients' rights stems from a personal experience with discrimination.

Tod A. McKeone

Lexington, NE

Tod A. McKeone is an attorney admitted to practice in Nebraska and U.S. District Court since 1989. His practice areas include personal injury, workers' compensation, estate planning & probate, real estate, and business law. He is involved with the American Bar Association, Nebraska State Bar Association, and Dawson County Bar Association.

Charles L. Cannon

Wheaton, IL

Charles “Chuck” Cannon has worked for over 20 years as a litigation attorney and has many hundreds of satisfied clients. He practices in state and federal courts in numerous counties across the State of Illinois. Chuck handles all kinds of personal injury cases. He has handled cases involving automobile accidents, commercial truck accidents, construction accidents, work injuries, in utero toxic exposure that caused severe birth defects, medical device cases, and products liability cases involving several types of industrial machinery and consumer products. Chuck has also handled many complex medical malpractice matters, including cases involving surgical malpractice, failure to properly diagnose cancer, infections and other illnesses, failure of emergency room personnel to recognize and treat heart attacks in a timely manner, obstetrical malpractice during pre-natal care, labor and delivery, and many other types of medical negligence. Chuck is also fluent in Spanish and has helped win compensation for many of our Spanish-speaking neighbors in Illinois.

Jose Ceja

Houston, TX

Jose Ceja is the managing attorney of Ceja Law Firm. He is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has practiced law since 2007, starting as a felony drug prosecutor and later joining a top criminal defense firm before founding Ceja Law Firm in 2019. He has tried almost 100 trials and regularly obtains dismissals, not-guilty verdicts, and grand jury 'no bills'. He is licensed in Texas and Arizona.

Ron Torem

Los Angeles, CA

Ron Torem is a Personal Injury Attorney at Torem & Associates, joining in 1988 and becoming a partner in 1995. With over 30 years of experience, he handles personal injury and wrongful death claims, including car wrecks, truck accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, catastrophic injuries, and pedestrian accidents. He has successfully managed numerous jury trials, arbitrations, mediations, and over 1,000 depositions. From 1997 to 2000, he served as a neutral court-appointed mediator for the Los Angeles Superior Court.

Mark J. Jaffe focuses his practice on Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University School of Law - Newark in 2008 and is admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York, and the United States District Court, District of New Jersey. He is a member of the Justice H. Coleman, Jr., American Inn of Court and is fluent in English and Spanish.

Shannon Inkelaar Acton

Tampa, FL

Attorney Shannon Inkelaar Acton is bilingual in English and Spanish, dedicated to advocating for her clients without language barriers. She is passionate about law and problem-solving, providing personalized representation to help clients receive fair compensation, primarily in Personal Injury cases. She has experience strategizing against large insurance companies. Shannon earned two degrees from Union College in 2014 (Spanish and Business Administration, Marketing) and her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2018. She is licensed in Nebraska and Florida. Outside of work, she enjoys bike riding, traveling, coffee, and farmers markets with her family.

Michael Aquino

Paterson, NJ

Michael Aquino is an attorney at Salomon & Aquino, LLC. He graduated from Brooklyn Law School in 1986 and passed the New Jersey and New York Bar examinations. He has 30 years of experience in transactional, litigation, and trial law. He is a member of the Passaic County Bar Association, New Jersey Bar Association, Nassau County Bar Association, and American Bar Association.

Elizete Velado

Sarasota, FL

A member of the Florida Bar since 2012, Elizete Velado initially decided to become an attorney because she viewed it as an opportunity to work on behalf of disenfranchised individuals. She continues this pursuit at Mallard Perez by protecting the legal rights of those who have been severely injured and are being mistreated by an insurance company. She works hard to secure the best outcome possible for her clients and is in the process of working towards board certification in Civil Trial Law. Elizete earned her Bachelor of Arts from Florida State University and later earned her Juris Doctor with Honors from Florida State University College of Law. As a law student, Elizete used her strong leadership ability to excel in academics. She earned two “Book Awards,” a distinction given to the student that achieved the highest grade in a particular class. She also worked as an editor for the FSU Journal of Land Use and Environmental Law and was recognized as an Outstanding Articles & Notes Editor in her third and final year. An accomplished writer, Elizete is published in the FSU Journal of Transnational Law and Policy and has contributed to trade publications including the Florida Justice Association’s FJA Journal. Her first few years of practice focused on legal writing and research for complex insurance bad faith and catastrophic injury cases at both the trial and appellate level. Since then, she has transitioned to a more active role in litigating these types of cases and more, where her writing skills and ability to craft legal arguments serve her and her clients well. Her personal injury practice includes motor vehicle accident, premises liability, wrongful death, institutional child abuse, and sexual assault cases. Elizete is fluent in Portuguese and continues to improve her working knowledge of Spanish. She is an active “Eagle Member” of the Florida Justice Association and President of the Sarasota Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers. She is an active member of the Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court, an organization that promotes and recognizes professionalism in the practice of law, and the Sarasota Bar Association. Currently, Elizete is licensed to practice before all Florida state courts, the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Leif H. Kleven

Chula Vista, CA

Leif H. Kleven founded his practice in 2013, focusing on personalized legal representation for clients in San Diego and Southern California. He began his career defending individuals in federal and superior courts, gaining invaluable courtroom skills and practical knowledge, including successfully handling criminal immigration appeals. Transitioning to civil litigation, his primary focus is now personal injury cases, where he has successfully recovered millions of dollars for clients over more than 10 years of practice. He is a dedicated attorney with a passion for justice and is fluent in Spanish, allowing him to communicate directly with Spanish-speaking clients.

Eduardo A.Brito

Burbank, CA

Eduardo A. Brito has over 27 years of experience practicing law, including litigation in personal injury, professional malpractice, and various insurance-related cases. He is admitted to practice in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and all Federal District Courts in California. He is fluent in Spanish.

Jeffrey Schonbrun

New City, NY

With over 27 years of experience, Jeffrey Schonbrun has built a reputation for providing unwavering legal support to clients facing challenging times. At ROCKLAND Schonbrun Law, he specializes in Criminal Defense, Family Law, Divorce, Personal Injury, and Immigration Law, offering skilled representation to protect your rights in every legal situation. Jeffrey has tried hundreds of cases to conclusion across Family Court, County Court, Supreme Court, and Justice Courts, demonstrating a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes-whether through negotiation or trial. His deep understanding of the legal process allows him to craft personalized strategies that reflect your needs and goals.

Joshua Joe Jimenez

Boise, ID

As a kid, Josh spent summertime visiting his grandparents’ farm outside of Rupert, Idaho or staying at his great grandparents’ cabin outside of Island Park. A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who loves New Mexican and Mexican food, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University before getting his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Idaho. Licensed in both State and Federal Courts in Idaho and New Mexico, he has enjoyed success as a trial attorney trying to verdict about a hundred cases, including serious cases involving homicides, robbery, sexual abuse, and motor vehicle collisions involving DUI’s and reckless driving, among others. Besides personal injury, Josh’s vast experience includes probate, property, estate planning, family, and criminal law. With a wide breadth of experience he brings practicality, understanding, compassion and the necessary fight as he works with and for his clients. Josh has successfully settled several types of personal injury cases: auto accidents (including those caused by DUI), bicycle accidents, hit and run accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, dog bites, and serious injury accidents. Josh enjoys spending time with his wife and their three children. He enjoys attending his children’s sporting events, choir concerts, dancing and piano recitals, and other events. Josh likes to fish and golf. He can also be found doing maintenance work on his family’s cars. He is active at his church and serves in his community.

Mark A. Thiel

Stockton, CA

Mark A. Thiel has been nominated in America’s Who’s Who twice, Lawyers of Distinction twice, and Nations Top 100 Lawyers twice. He has served as a mediator, arbitrator, and administrative hearing officer. With over 29 years of practice, he has an extensive record of obtaining excellent results for clients, collecting millions in verdicts and settlements. He has been nominated as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in the nation and served as president of the San Joaquin County Trial Lawyers Association.