Turkish-Speaking Attorneys

Alexis Cirkinyan

Encino, CA

Alexis has represented and advised private and public employers in all stages of litigation from initial responsive pleading to ultimate resolution in federal and state courts and on appeal in labor and employment matters for more than 20 years. She has defended employers in cases involving the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII, the American with Disabilities Act, Whistleblower actions, Constitutional violations, and the Government Tort Claims Act. Alexis also represents employers before government agencies such as the DFEH and EEOC. Prior to joining Ballard, Rosenberg, Golper, & Savitt, Alexis was a partner with the Los Angeles firm of Kessel & Associates. She is fluent in Greek, Armenian, and Turkish, with a limited knowledge of French.

Kate Gagutlova

Seattle, WA

Kate Gagutlova moved to the U.S. from Russia and earned a master’s degree in linguistics and interpreting, then a bachelor’s degree in Business and Innovation in Technology from the University of Washington. She attended Seattle University School of Law, where she worked as a research assistant and in the Defenders Clinic. She is fluent in Russian, English, and French, and studied Arabic, Spanish, Italian, and Turkish.

John Onal

Elmwood Park, NJ

John Onal is a Turkish lawyer specializing in personal injury law in the United States. He handles various accident types including car, truck, motorcycle, animal attacks, workplace injuries, and wrongful termination. He provides legal support in both Turkish and English, offering personalized service and fighting for clients' rights to compensation.

Abduaziz Isakulov

New York, NY

Abduaziz 'Aziz' Isakulov is an attorney at Oddo & Babat, bringing international experience. He obtained his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in May 2025 and is admitted to the New York State Bar. He holds an LL.M. in International Dispute Resolution from Fordham University School of Law (2020) as a Fulbright Scholar, and an LLB in International Law from Tashkent State University of Law (2017). He was a visiting scholar at the World Trade Organization (2022-2023) and taught at Tashkent State University of Law (2017).

Faith M. Hashemi

Sacramento, CA

Faith M. Hashemi, Esq., is a committed and compassionate attorney serving Sacramento and the surrounding counties in the areas of probate and trust law, DUI and misdemeanor criminal defense, unlawful detainers, and real estate and property matters. With a diverse legal background and a client-focused approach, Ms. Hashemi delivers strategic and empathetic advocacy across both courtroom and transactional settings. Ms. Hashemi earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics from San Jose State University, followed by her Juris Doctor from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. During law school, she gained invaluable hands-on experience through internships with both the District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office. These roles equipped her with the legal insight, courtroom familiarity, and advocacy skills needed to effectively represent clients facing criminal charges and complex legal issues. As an attorney, Ms. Hashemi is known for her strong advocacy, diligent preparation, and ability to guide clients through difficult legal circumstances. Whether defending against criminal charges or resolving probate and property disputes, she provides honest legal advice and develops creative strategies tailored to her clients’ best interests. Her commitment to clear communication and personalized representation helps clients understand their rights and feel supported at every stage. In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Hashemi is a licensed California real estate agent and actively represents clients in real property transactions and disputes. She is multilingual-fluent in English, Farsi, and Turkish, with conversational ability in French - enabling her to serve a diverse range of clients with cultural sensitivity and care. Outside of her legal work, Ms. Hashemi enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, and playing piano. A lifelong animal lover, she often volunteers at animal shelters and shares her home with two beloved cats, Bijou and Topol.

Emre Ersoy

Bamberg, SC

Emre Ersoy was born in Istanbul, Turkey, and moved to the United States at 17. He graduated from the College of Charleston with a B.A. in Political Science and later earned his J.D. from Charleston School of Law in 2020. He has been licensed to practice law in South Carolina since April 2021. He is bilingual in Turkish and English.

Michael Kiran is the Supervising Attorney for the immigration department at Helmer, Conley, and Kasselman. He has been in practice for over 10 years, admitted in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and focuses on representing clients before immigration courts and for various immigration benefits. He is fluent in Turkish.