Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

Jeffrey M. Donato is an accomplished Personal Injury and Employment Law litigator with over 23 years of experience, including 12 years running his own solo practice. Raised in Patchogue, NY, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and a Juris Doctor from Touro Law. A polyglot fluent in English and Spanish, proficient in Italian, and conversational in Japanese, Jeffrey is passionate about languages. Beyond law, he has been a professional dancer and instructor of Ballet, Tap, and Jazz for over 30 years. His dedication to legal ethics earned him the New York State Bar Association’s 2000 Legal Ethics Award, along with recognitions such as Empire Counsel in 2007 and 2009, and Touro Law’s Alumni Council Volunteer of the Year Award in 2013.

Philip DeBerard, III

Stuart, FL

Philip Edwin DeBerard III was born in Gainesville, FL on Nov. 7, 1950. He grew up on Key Biscayne and had a passion for the ocean. He was a star athlete at Coral Gables High School, playing center on the varsity football team that FHSAA later named 'Team of the Century.' He attended the University of Florida for undergrad on an athletic scholarship for wrestling and then went on to University of Florida law school. He served his country in the Marine Corps. Upon graduation from law school in 1975, he moved to Key Biscayne and later to Stuart in 1980 to open his own law practice. He was the 100th lawyer accepted to the Martin County Bar Association. Phil loved his work, the practice of law, and his clients, advocating for the 'little guy' against large insurance companies. He was a longtime member of Morningside Church and created and sponsored the Eagle Award for outstanding achievement. He was dedicated to the community, remembered for his law firm’s bicycle rodeos for children’s safety and advocating for child fingerprinting. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying big game fishing and duck hunting with his son Philip. He passed away in 2019 and is survived by his son Philip and daughter Alicia DeBerard, and his sister Denise DeBerard Roussel.

Eric H. Woods

Las Vegas, NV

Eric H. Woods moved to Las Vegas from Northern California in 1981. He has been practicing law in Clark County since 1982. He is a graduate of the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, receiving his J.D. in 1981 and an LL.M. in International Business and Taxation in 1982. He is admitted to the California Bar (1981) and the State Bar of Nevada (1982), as well as the United States Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Federal District Courts of California and Nevada. He specializes in personal injury, wrongful death, and workers' compensation claims, and is fluent in Spanish.

Jose M Leon

Phoenix, AZ

Jose Leon established his law office in the fall of 2011, aiming to provide personal and high-quality legal services to the public, particularly in personal injury and wrongful death cases. He practiced law for many years prior to founding his firm. Mr. Leon is dedicated to helping clients navigate complex legal situations, focusing on integrity, education, and recovery. He is a native Spanish speaker, which he uses to assist clients with language barriers. Born in Sinaloa, Mexico, he has called the Phoenix area home since 1998. He strives to be a trusted resource in his community and build a reputable professional career.

Christopher M. Midgley

Richmond, VA

Chris joins Geoff McDonald & Associates as a seasoned attorney with a robust background in civil litigation and criminal law. Chris spent 4.5 years in the Federal Sector, serving as a labor and employment attorney with both the Department of State and the Department of Defense. Chris routinely obtained superb results before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), and the Foreign Service Grievance Board (FSGB). Prior to serving in the Federal Government, Chris handled a wide variety of civil litigation matters in representing the City of Newport News and the County of Chesterfield for 5.5 years. Such experiences in local government included handling the foster care docket on behalf of the Newport News Department of Human Services, aggressively defending law enforcement officers and each respective locality in 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 cases involving alleged civil rights abuses, handling employee grievances and other employment law matters, litigating eminent domain actions, prosecuting codes enforcement litigation and animal control cases, reviewing conditional use permits, and collections matters. In addition to the above, Chris effectively and zealously defended the City of Newport News and the County of Chesterfield against personal injury lawsuits involving both regular and specialized motor vehicles in each localities’ arsenal from school buses, to street sweepers, dump trucks, and police cruisers; as well as defended each respective locality in workers’ compensation cases. When it comes to Virginia cases, Chris is a subject matter expert on sovereign immunity involving localities. Furthermore, Chris’ meticulous attention to detail made him an effective asset to local government as he reviewed thousands of contracts, helped advise and review procurement actions, served as the attorney responsible for reviewing and advising on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and when reviewing other voluminous records associated with the cases that he litigated before all Virginia state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals for the United States, and the Supreme Court of the United States. While working in state government, Chris effectively navigated an overwhelming caseload as he defended the rights of the accused while serving with the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission in the Hampton Public Defender’s Office for over 2 years. In fact, Chris’ first job after passing the Virginia State Bar Exam was with Joannou & Associates, a plaintiff’s personal injury firm in Portsmouth, VA. During the course of his career, Chris handled thousands of cases and hundreds of bench and jury trials. Thus, by joining Geoff McDonald & Associates, Chris’s legal career has come full circle by returning to representing the injured in his personal injury practice. Chris received his Juris Doctor from Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach in 2012. Chris graduated summa cum laude with two separate Bachelor’s in Arts degrees in Political Science and History, with a minor in Spanish, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) in 2009. To help fulfill Chris’ desire to experience different cultures and learn more about the world, Chris was blessed with the opportunity to study abroad in the United Kingdom and France during undergrad and law school. Chris has a natural ability to connect with people of all backgrounds, having grown up as a military brat from a blue-collar family and as a first-generation college student. Despite experiencing challenges and tragedies during his personal life, Chris is a fighter who believes that the American dream is attainable to those who believe in the greatness of our country and who are willing to put in the work and effort to achieve success. Chris has a public servant’s heart with a work ethic that rivals individuals that work in Big Law. After defending localities in Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation cases for many years, Chris is now eager to apply his expertise to help injured individuals obtain the recovery that they deserve.

Sydney M. Patterson

Greenbelt, MD

Sydney M. Patterson is a Partner at MarcusBonsib, LLC, specializing in criminal defense, civil litigation, and appellate advocacy. She is recognized by SuperLawyers and The Best Lawyers in America.

Helbert Lopez

Tampa, FL

Helbert Lopez believes that helping to solve legal problems doesn’t just mean looking for solutions. It’s also about finding opportunities for clients to move ahead confidently with their lives following a divorce, an immigration matter, an auto accident, or a personal bankruptcy. In his role as CEO of Florida Law Advisers, P.A., Helbert uses his broad range of legal savvy and business wisdom to give Tampa, Orlando, and Central Florida citizens the guidance they need. “My diverse work experience and education provide a solid foundation to solve any issues faced by my clients,” Helbert proudly proclaims. “In these capacities, I have gathered a multitude of skills that will benefit my clients and my organization.” A native of Colombia, Helbert points to his complex background in Florida real estate as an example. He says his fluency in Spanish allowed him to effectively communicate with buyers and sellers so that families could buy their first house. Yet, Helbert realized that reaching his full entrepreneurial potential meant gaining a better understanding of law. He says that upon earning his law degree, he developed a professional acumen and a business model. This included knowing smart ways to purchase unclaimed real estate properties and enhancing his emerging real estate business. With Florida Law Advisers, P.A., Helbert is using that same well-honed business sense to help the Latin American population in Central Florida with their legal needs. He says the law firm’s goal is to provide top-quality family law, personal injury, immigration, and bankruptcy/debt protection services - without steep legal fees or extensive time battling in court. This includes advising Florida residents on how to seek debt relief, what their rights and options are against creditors, and how to save their house, property, or other assets that may be at risk. When people are seeking work visas, green cards, or naturalization, Helbert and his partners are there to guide them through the process. Or, if a pending divorce means marital assets and property are under contention, doing everything to keep clients’ interests at the forefront. Helbert says that what makes Florida Law Advisers, P.A., stand apart from the competition is the solid foundation he’s built from experience. It’s allowed him and his law firm associates to find resourceful ways to solve the legal issues that Tampa, Orlando, and Central Florida residents may come up against. “I have been faced with challenging situations over the course of my life, but even in the midst of adversity, I have always chosen to find the opportunities that lie within and to take advantage of them,” Helbert says. “I believe it is my perseverance, in conjunction with my creativity and engaging personality, that has allowed me to become the successful entrepreneur that I am today.”

Riley Burnett

Houston, TX

Riley Burnett is a nationally recognized trial attorney with extensive multi-state experience. The focus of Riley’s practice is mass torts, including pharmaceutical, medical device, toxic torts and mass disaster litigation. Riley has represented clients in pharmaceutical cases nationwide, such as Paxil, Fen-Phen, Avandia, DePuy ASR, DePuy Pinnacle, Vioxx, and Zoloft. Riley currently fights for our clients suffering from dangerous drugs and devices such as Xarelto, hernia mesh, transvaginal mesh (TVM), IVC Filters, Zofran and Risperdal. Riley also works on the Plaintiff Steering Committees for MDL 2187 In Re: C.R. Bard, Inc., MDL 2327 In Re: Ethicon, Inc., MDL 2325 In Re: American Medical Systems, and MDL 2326 In Re: Boston Scientific Corp., where he also works on the national investigation against these pharmaceutical device manufacturers. Riley fights for our clients harmed by mass disasters and other manufacturing defects as well. While in this fight, Riley has held many leadership positions. He served as Plaintiffs’ Co-Liaison Counsel for the lawsuits arising out of the March 23, 2005, explosion at the British Petroleum (BP) facility in Texas City. This explosion resulted in fifteen deaths, hundreds of injuries, and numerous lawsuits. He was also Co-Liaison Counsel in several counties for the thousands of lawsuits arising out of Hurricane Ike insurance claims disputes and served on several Plaintiff Steering Committees for various MDL’s created to manage the Hurricane Ike litigation. Riley received his undergraduate education at the University of Texas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1987. In 1991, he earned his law degree at the University of Houston Law Center, graduating cum laude. He has been licensed to practice law since 1991 and is admitted to practice in state and federal court in Texas and in Pennsylvania State Court. Riley’s peers have routinely recognized him as one of the top-rated trial lawyers, and he is a member of both the American Association for Justice and the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Derek James

Orlando, FL

Derek James is a seasoned Personal Injury Attorney at Overchuck Law Firm with over two decades of experience in workers’ compensation litigation. He graduated from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2000. Derek previously built an impressive career defending insurance carriers, including establishing and managing a firm's Miami office. Disillusioned by the injustices faced by injured workers, he joined Overchuck Law to advocate for their rights. His extensive background in insurance defense provides invaluable insight into workers’ compensation claims, particularly those involving COVID-19 compensability. He is committed to holding insurance carriers accountable and is a staunch advocate for clients in work injuries, personal injury, and appellate practice.

Mike Petikyan

North Hollywood, CA

Mr. Petikyan is one of the founding partners of YMPK Law Group, known for being an assertive force in the realm of personal injury law and criminal defense. Mike attended prestigious Loyola Law School and graduated as a member of the Civil Litigation Advocacy Concentration. Mike’s personal injury experience began at Dewitt, Algorri and Algorri, assisting in personal injury litigation. During pivotal internships at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, where he notably served in the Major Crimes Unit and worked on the world-renown Robert Durst case, Mike established enduring relationships and garnered firsthand behind the scenes experience on how prosecutors meticulously litigate their cases. Today, Mike mainly concentrates his efforts on advocating for individuals in personal injury cases, successfully recovering millions of dollars for his clients. Known for his aggressive litigation style, tenacity, and impassioned advocacy, Mike stands resolute in his mission to champion the rights of his clients and deliver optimal outcomes in every case. During his personal time, Mike enjoys spending time with his daughters, rooting for his Lakers and playing golf. Mr. Petikyan is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Armenian Bar Association, and Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles.

Brice Crafton

Las Vegas, NV

Brice Crafton is a managing partner at The Personal Injury Pros, licensed in all state and federal courts of Nevada. He is dedicated to protecting the rights of those injured by negligence, with over a decade of experience in personal injury law. He takes an aggressive and personalized approach to maximize client recovery. His experience also includes DUI defense, diminished value claims, and traffic citations. He has been recognized as a Top Lawyer by Vegas Inc., and by The National Trial Lawyers and American Society of Legal Advocates for his trial and litigation skills.

Eloy Gallegos

Wichita, KS

In his hometown of Garden City, Eloy Gallegos first established a law practice in 2014. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Eloy serves his community with bilingual legal representation. Eloy assists accident victims through personal injury and workers’ compensation claims with thoughtful determination. His connection to western Kansas and a strong reputation for diligent representation led Eloy to partner with the Accident Recovery Team in 2020. Representing the firm from Garden City, Eloy offers clients local connections in a convenient, nearby office. Backed by the resources and experience of the Accident Recovery Team, clients count on the western Kansas office for first-rate representation under Eloy’s leadership.

Juan Jorge JJ Perez

Tampa, FL

Juan Jorge JJ Perez is co-counsel for Black Rock Trial Lawyers. He specializes in title closings, foreclosure defense, short sale negotiations, condominium & association law, wills & trusts, and landlord-tenant law. He is licensed to practice in Florida and the U.S. Southern District Court of Florida, and is a member of the Florida Bar and an Attorney Title Insurance Fund/Old Republic Title Agent. He earned his J.D. from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law in 2003 and a B.A. in Criminology and Spanish Studies from the University of Florida in 2000. He is a recipient of the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in Volunteer Service.

Caroline Cranton

Orlando, FL

Caroline Cranton was born in Annapolis, MD, and grew up in San Diego, CA. She earned an undergraduate degree in Art History from the University of California, San Diego, and attended Wake Forest University School of Law, where she won the Zeliff Trial Bar Award. She began her career as an Assistant State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Florida, trying cases in Orange and Osceola Counties. Later, she practiced Civil Litigation, defending business entities, professionals, and insureds in areas like Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse, Premises Liability, Personal Injury, and Automotive Injury. After 25 years as a defense lawyer, she became a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator and joined Martindale Law Group, applying her defense techniques to benefit injured individuals.

Ron R. Reyna

Tucson, AZ

Ron R. Reyna was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, and is a proud University of Arizona alum. He graduated from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1997. Early in his career, he worked as a law clerk for Pima County Superior Judge Howard Hantman and later practiced with the Pima County Public Defender’s Office. With over 20 years of experience practicing law in Southern Arizona, including 15 years in which he favorably settled hundreds of personal injury and medical malpractice cases, Mr. Reyna is committed to protecting the legal rights and interests of his clients. He is known for his tough, honest, and compassionate approach, specializing in medical malpractice cases. He maintains strong relationships within the local community, especially among the Hispanic community, and is fluent in Spanish. Mr. Reyna provides personalized and detailed attention, offering knowledgeable legal guidance based on his strong understanding of Arizona laws and experience in both state and federal court.

Daniel R. Rosen is a personal injury and accident attorney with over 30 years of experience. He personally handles every case and has settled over $100 million in claims for his clients.

Stephanie Olsson

Schaumburg, IL

Stephanie Olsson is a highly respected attorney and partner at Glasgow & Olsson, known for her strategic litigation skills, deep legal knowledge, and unwavering commitment to her clients’ well-being in family law and domestic relations. With more than a decade of experience, she represents clients in Cook, Lake, McHenry, and Kane counties, handling complex matters with precision and compassion, including high-asset divorce cases, parenting agreements, complex business divisions, and contentious custody disputes. She also focuses on Illinois criminal defense, representing clients in misdemeanor and felony cases, jury trials, bench trials, and driver’s license reinstatement hearings. Ms. Olsson earned her Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2006 and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Chicago, magna cum laude. She previously served as Village Prosecutor for Arlington Heights. She is a published legal author and has taught at Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education seminars on topics such as DUI, driver’s license reinstatement, and complex divorce litigation. Her commitment to excellence has earned her recognition as a Super Lawyer Rising Star multiple times and a Top 10 National Academy of Family Law Attorney.

Scott J. Sternberg

West Palm Beach, FL

Scott J. Sternberg is the founder of Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A. He has been a licensed Florida workers’ compensation lawyer since 1998 and is licensed to practice law in the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. He graduated magna cum laude from Stetson University College of Law in 1998 and has over 27 years of experience in workers' compensation cases.

Bryan Goldstein

New York, NY

Bryan Goldstein is a Cum Laude graduate of Brooklyn Law School with over 20 years’ experience handling various personal injury cases including auto accidents, slip/trip and fall accidents, and construction site (Labor Law) accidents. Bryan is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey. Prior to being associated with Goidel & Siegel, Bryan worked at an insurance defense firm, so he knows both sides of the practice very well. As a result, Bryan prepares his clients to avoid various defense pitfalls and traps and has an excellent record of successfully recovering millions of dollars for his clients.

Wakisha E. Hazzard is the visionary attorney, owner, and founder of The Hazzard Law Firm, LLC. With 14 years of experience, she has built a reputation for her profound knowledge and competency in criminal defense, personal injury, and family law. Her commitment to justice and dedication to each client makes her a trusted advocate and leader in the legal field. A native of Savannah, Georgia, Wakisha earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with a double minor in English and Fashion Merchandising from Georgia Southern University. She then went on to obtain her Juris Doctorate from Miles Law School in 2009. She is certified to practice law throughout the State of Alabama and in Federal Court and holds a certification in Mediation Dispute Resolution. Wakisha’s active memberships in organizations such as the Alabama State Bar, Birmingham Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Alabama Lawyers Association, and the Magic City Bar Association complement her professional accomplishments. She is also proud to be a distinguished member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a member of the Junior League of Birmingham. These affiliations enrich her network and support her mission to serve others. Beyond her legal career, Wakisha invests in community service. She volunteers through the Junior League of Birmingham, educating children at Botanical Gardens, and participates in initiatives with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., such as Adopt-a-Park and food and clothing drives for underserved communities. Her dedication to community empowerment reflects her passion for giving back. Having founded The Hazzard Law Firm in 2012, Wakisha describes herself as a servant leader, driven by her belief in justice for all and helping those who need it most. She lives by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” and strives to be a relentless champion for her clients and community.

Rafael C. Rodriguez

Fort Stockton, TX

Rafael C. Rodriguez is a proud native of West Texas. He is known for being a confident, zealous, and relentless advocate, representing individuals in legal matters involving wrongful death, serious personal injury, and other serious legal matters across the State of Texas.

Resh Jefferies

Murray, UT

Resh has handled personal injury cases at every level - from the most basic claim to jury trials to everything in between. Resh’s litigation background includes hundreds of depositions and dozens of arbitrations and trials. Resh has been recognized for trial advocacy and was a member of the national mock trial team at the University of San Diego, where he was also on law review as an editor of the San Diego International Law Journal. Resh graduated from the University of Utah with degrees in Economics and Psychology. He then earned his law degree at the University of San Diego School of Law. Resh is fluent in Spanish. When he is not practicing law, Resh likes to run, bike, swim and travel with his wife and four kids.

Christopher M. DiLorenzo

Hackensack, NJ

Christopher M. DiLorenzo is an accomplished attorney with a strong background in criminal and motor vehicle matters. He is licensed to practice in New Jersey and New York State and Federal Courts and is fluent in Spanish. As a partner at DiLorenzo & Rush since 1997, he focuses on private criminal litigation and has tried approximately one hundred felony jury trials. He has also served as a Municipal Prosecutor for various towns and as Borough Attorney for Lincoln Park, and as Special Litigation Counsel for the County of Morris. Prior to joining DiLorenzo & Rush, he was a Staff Attorney at The Legal Aid Society in the Bronx, New York.

Nikki Ramirez-Smith

Nampa, ID

Nikki Ramirez-Smith is the founder of Ramirez-Smith Law. As an immigrant, she understands the unique situations faced by immigrants. She assists clients with civil litigation, family law, and immigration cases, known for her attention to detail and dedication. Nikki has participated in Appeals, Habeus Petitions, Writs of Mandamus, Hague Convention litigation, and 1983 Civil Rights Claims. She believes that everyone deserves to be treated humanely; that everyone deserves justice, and she is not afraid to fight a case until a fair result is achieved.