Spanish-Speaking Attorneys

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.

Saul G. Olivarez

Dallas, TX

Saul G. Olivarez brings an array of private and government legal experience with him and is licensed to practice law in Texas and Oklahoma. For much of his career, he has been in private practice representing individuals and small businesses in various legal matters with successful results. Additionally, Mr. Olivarez previously worked for the State of Washington and was a former Assistant County Attorney in San Patricio County, Texas. He is also conversant in Spanish. Mr. Olivarez participates in and encourages civic engagement, particularly in underrepresented communities. His pastimes include reading, traveling, and he lives in Dallas.

Terry D. Beall is a dedicated Wichita trial attorney with over 20 years of experience in family law, criminal defense, probate, and bankruptcy. He previously served as an assistant city attorney and founded Beall & Mitchell, LLC to provide compassionate and aggressive legal representation.

Will Ortiz

Atlanta, GA

Will Ortiz represents clients in medical malpractice, psychiatric malpractice, and wrongful death cases, with a focus on mental health malpractice and drug rehabilitation facility negligence. He has secured over $100 million dollars for his clients since 2021 in settlements and verdicts. Will is fluent in Spanish and routinely represents Latino and Hispanic personal injury victims. He serves as the President of the Georgia Hispanic Bar Association and is a mentor through the Georgia Latino Legal Foundation. He has been recognized by SuperLawyers in the Georgia Rising Stars list for Medical Malpractice lawyers since 2023.

Alex Mendoza

Hammond, IN

Alex Mendoza is an attorney and the founder of Alex Mendoza Law, specializing in personal injury cases including automobile, motorcycle, and semi-truck collisions, slip and falls, and sexual abuse. He is licensed in Indiana and Illinois and is dedicated to holding insurance companies accountable for their clients' harms and losses.

Roberto Vazquez

Orlando, FL

Attorney Roberto Vazquez is a civil litigation attorney practicing out of Orlando, Florida. Roberto received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida in 2007. He went on to complete law school at the Barry University School of Law. He worked his way from intern, to paralegal, and eventually partner at Morey Law Firm, P.A. since 2009. He represents clients in general, real estate, and civil litigation matters, with a passion for personal injury and personal injury defense. Roberto is a Florida native, first generation Cuban American, and is bilingual in Spanish and English. He is a member of the Orange County Bar Association and the Florida Bar Association.

Chris Stombaugh is widely considered one of the top trial lawyers in America today. Recent results include a $102.6 million verdict against General Motors, a $40 million wrongful death verdict, and verdicts of $26 million and $13 million. Chris also teaches lawyers throughout the country, sharing his expertise and experience. As the main instructor at Michigan Auto Law Trial Center, Chris finds the winning messages for cases through cognitive neuroscience-based use of focus groups, mock juries, and other methods of trial preparation. Chris has also been on the teaching faculty at the Trial Lawyers College, which is a 30-year-old non-profit organization that teaches lawyers from across the country how to master the art of persuasion and credibility to maximize jury verdicts and settlements for their clients. Chris also speaks regularly at national legal conferences and seminars about modern and effective trial advocacy. Chris is the past president of the Wisconsin Association for Justice. He is fluent in Spanish.

Patrick M. Kinnally

Aurora, IL

Mr. Kinnally concentrates his practice in general and commercial litigation, probate, immigration, administrative, environmental and local government law. He has been recognized by his peers as among the top five percent of all Illinois lawyers in commercial litigation and general litigation and has received the highest peer rating for skill and integrity. He is a respected, skilled and tenacious advocate sought after by lawyers, businesses and individuals alike.

Stephen Labiak

Fresno, CA

Stephen Labiak is a Board-Certified Bankruptcy Attorney serving the California Central Valley, including Fresno, Visalia, and Hanford. He is known for his accessible and casual demeanor, ensuring clients speak directly with him. Stephen practices various types of law, including bankruptcy, civil cases, debt consolidation, medical malpractice, and personal injury. He has handled a wide range of cases, from credit card debt to complex financial losses, and is dedicated to taking the burden off his clients to help them achieve debt relief and a fresh start.

Arpi Galstian

Los Angeles, CA

A committed and zealous attorney in Yepremyan Law Firm's litigation department, specializing in complex motor vehicle and personal injury cases. Brings over a decade of knowledge and skill.

Rogelio J. Fontela

Tallahassee, FL

Mr. Fontela’s practice includes medical malpractice, personal injury litigation and administrative law, having represented clients throughout north and central Florida during his career. He is admitted to practice before all Florida State courts. He is also admitted to federal practice in the Northern and Middle U.S. District Courts. He is a member of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association and Claims & Litigation Management Alliance. Mr. Fontela is also a Supreme Court Certified Mediator. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1992 after earning his law degree with high honors from the Florida State University College of Law. Prior to obtaining his law degree, he worked as a certified public accountant. He is fluent in Spanish.

Greg Cummings

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Greg Cummings is a civil trial attorney focusing on motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, products liability, medical negligence, and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. He has secured notable verdicts, including $17.8 million for a motorcycle crash and $8.25 million for a wrongful death case. He received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University College of Law in 2016.

Jessica Ramirez is Of Counsel with the firm and a trial attorney specializing in serious personal injury, sexual abuse, medical device and product liability litigation. Jessica earned her Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law and has a Bachelor of Arts from Stockton University, with a Major in Political Science and a Minor in Latin American History. She has served on the New Jersey Ethics Committee and served as an Eminent Domain Commissioner for the State of N.J., presiding over cases dealing with condemnation and eminent domain. Jessica was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New Jersey when she was eight years old. "I was in E.S.L. Classes (English as a Second Language) for four years, and still remember the day I was told that E.S.L. classes were no longer necessary for me to attend." Jessica’s parents worked very hard to provide her with opportunities that they were not so fortunate to have had. Her family emphasized the importance of education, and through their support and her dedication, Jessica was able to excel in school. Prior to attending college, Jessica had never even met a lawyer. College changed this, as her favorite professors were lawyers, inspiring her to chase her own dream of a career in the law. Jessica understands she is not only a member of a class who is underrepresented within her community, but also in her profession. Hispanics, who are 18 percent of the U.S. population, comprise only about 4 percent of U.S. lawyers. For Latina women, these numbers are even smaller, with Latinas accounting for less than 2 percent of American lawyers - as a result, being a Latina attorney in the U.S. is a rarity and something which Jessica is proud to have achieved. Jessica’s legal career has allowed her to serve her community and the underrepresented. Her work as a contract attorney for the Public Defender’s Office of New Jersey allowed her to represent indigent clients and juveniles. "During my time as the managing attorney of the Immigration Program of Catholic Charities, I served the undocumented population, defending individuals’ rights to seek asylum and providing legal counsel to families who have been separated and fighting against related policies." It was during this time that she saw a dire need for competent Spanish-speaking attorneys. The stories had similar themes, undocumented persons having no knowledge of their rights. She met numerous undocumented workers with permanent injuries, who never sought medical treatment or compensation, because they were afraid. She met women who were victims of sex assault but afraid to call the police for fear of deportation, or allowed the statute of limitations to expire due to a lack of knowledge of their rights. This exposure to true injustice ignited her interest to become a civil trial attorney and utilize her legal skills to help those in need. As a civil attorney, Jessica represents individuals who suffer physical and psychological injuries through various acts of negligence and intentional conduct, such as: sexual assault/abuse; product and medical device liability; significant motor vehicle crashes; construction, first-responder and other workplace accidents. Her main focus when advocating for workers’ rights is to educate workers about their right to safe and healthful working conditions, and their right to speak up without fear of retaliation. Jessica often gives talks to undocumented workers where she informs workers that it is the duty of their employers to provide a workplace free of known dangers and safety hazards regardless of their immigration status. Jessica’s main passion is advocating for clients who have suffered sexual assault. She has extensive settlement and litigation experience in this area and knows exactly what it takes to deliver results. Jessica works to seek justice and hold offenders accountable when schools, churches, hotels, jails and other organizations fail to protect children and vulnerable adults. She is persistent in holding abusers accountable for the harm they have caused victims when an organization has failed to take reasonable steps to protect the victim, or worse when these organizations know about the abuse but do nothing to prevent it. Jessica’s newest venture is helping individuals fight back against abusive business practices, by holding sellers of goods accountable when they seek to profit by taking advantage of a consumer. She protects consumers’ rights whey they are injured due to fraud, false or misleading advertising, and defective products. Unfortunately, she meets consumers that have suffered permanent injuries with the use of fraudulent and harmful products. Jessica now confronts corporate wrongdoing and obtains answers for her clients that have suffered the impact of such negligent and intentional conduct. Jessica also has been featured as a speaker and contributed to various panels, including “Media and the Law,” where she served as one of four panelists for the 2019 New Jersey State Bar Association's mid-year meeting in Puerto Rico. She also co-chaired and served as a panelist for a seminar given at the New Jersey Association for Justice's Meadowland Convention in 2019 entitled “Media, Technology and the Law,” as well as a seminar entitled “Media and Advertising: Ethical Rules to Follow,” presented at the New Jersey Association for Justice's Virtual Convention in 2020. In 2021, Jessica was asked to speak at a seminar on the topic of “Practicing Law Post Covid,” at the Women in Mass Torts Convention in Aspen, Colorado. Jessica is a member of the American Association for Justice’s (AAJ), where she was selected as one of only eighteen attorneys nationwide to participate in the AAJ Leadership Academy. She is also a member of the New Jersey Bar Association, the Hispanic National Bar Association, the New Jersey Hispanic Bar Association where she served as Press Secretary, the New Jersey American Association for Justice where she serves in the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and Women in Mass Torts. Jessica was selected as host of Images/Imagenes TV Show, a four-time Emmy Award-winning show highlighting the Hispanic population in New Jersey. The show was featured on NJTV. Jessica was featured on the Fox News Show "Beyond a Dream," which highlighted her life and career, focusing on overcoming obstacles to achieve the "American Dream." Jessica contributed to a bestselling book written by Bill Stanton, "Prepared, Not Scared: Your Go-To Guide for Staying Safe in an Unsafe World," providing her thoughts to the chapter on staying safe in the workplace from sexual harassment. Jessica also regularly appears on national networks, such as Fox News, The Oxygen Network, HNL, Law & Crime Network, and Univision to discuss various legal issues. Jessica has achieved her dream of becoming a professional where she can help people on a daily basis. Her passion to fight for justice is as strong today as the very first day she became a lawyer. She remains steadfast in her dedication and determination to achieve favorable results on behalf of each and every client. She also will never forget where she comes from or her journey to become the woman and professional she is today - in fact, it is recognition of this journey that serves to motivate her to stay involved and give back in any way she can to her community, a community that means so very much to her.

Ursula G. Barrios-Machado

Orange, CA

As an attorney and a person, Ms. Barrios is a diamond in the rough. Her upright reputation comes from tenaciously, skillfully, and relentlessly advocating for Southern Californians seeking to rebuild their personal and financial lives. It was with this drive that she built a successful practice straight out of law school, and eventually established Barrios & Machado, LLP with Attorney Guillermo Machado. Ms. Barrios takes on an uncompromising approach when handling personal injury cases. She wants each client to be compensated for the totality of their loss, to be made "whole" again. Her experience in dealing with insurance companies and aggressive law firms during litigation gives her the advantage when negotiating for her clients’ benefit. Ms. Barrios is ready to help you. Reach out to her if you have a personal injury concern such as a car accident, dog bite, slip-and-fall injury, elder abuse injury, and the like; or if you are considering bankruptcy.

John H. Nix is an attorney licensed by the Supreme Courts of Texas and Oklahoma, with over 25 years of legal experience. He previously served as a Texas Criminal District Attorney and Assistant General Counsel for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. He is recognized by Texas Monthly in Criminal Law and has held presidential roles in the Grayson County Criminal Defense Bar and Grayson County Bar Association. Bilingual in English and Spanish, his practice focuses on criminal law, family law, and personal injury.

Luis Gracia

Port Orange, FL

Luis R. Gracia is a partner and vice president at Rue & Ziffra, specializing in social security disability, workers’ compensation, personal injury, and wrongful death cases. He is board-certified in Social Security Disability law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, and is the first and only board-certified attorney in this field in Volusia and Flagler Counties. Fluent in Spanish, he obtained his J.D. from Texas Southern University in 1998 and has secured tens of millions in settlements and favorable social security decisions for thousands of clients.

Britanie Crippen

Van Nuys, CA

Britanie Crippen, a Portland, Oregon native, has pursued law well before becoming an attorney. She interned for the Honorable Sherrie L. Krauser, and has worked on jury trials while she was a Certified Law Student. Today, Ms. Crippen is an aggressive litigator who passionately fights for the underdog. She primarily focuses on employment and personal injury litigation.

James Pettit

Aurora, MO

James Pettit is a trial attorney practicing personal injury, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and Worker’s Compensation cases in Missouri and Arkansas. He earned his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and undergraduate degrees in Spanish and Business Administration from Drury University. He is licensed in Missouri and Arkansas. He is active in the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA). He is known for his calm presence in the courtroom and has secured a $430,000 jury verdict for a client. He is the son of Scott Pettit and grandson of Walter S. Pettit, Jr. Outside of work, he is a career runner and has run over 25 marathons.