Public Interest Law

John Paul Hanna is one of the leading land use lawyers in California, experienced in developing, buying, selling, subdividing, financing, leasing, construction, common interest developments, resort communities, permitting, entitlements, conversions, and dealing with city and county staffs, planning commissions, councils, boards of supervisors and with such state agencies as the Department of Real Estate and the Department of Social Services. Mr. Hanna has been selected in Best Lawyers, Who’s Who in America, San Francisco’s Best Lawyers, and Silicon Valley’s Best Lawyers. Mr. Hanna has represented clients and obtained entitlements such as tentative and final subdivision maps, condominium plans, and public reports for over 1,200 projects (residential, commercial, and mixed-use) including more than 35,000 condominium units and over 22,000 planned development lots.

We specialize in helping you through a divorce that involves the custody of your children. We'll help protect you and your loved ones every step of the way.  Ms. Martin has dedicated her legal career to family and juvenile law, which has transformed into her specialty. She is also a member of the Family Law Bar Section and the Montgomery County Bar Association. Before entering private practice, she had clerked for the Honorable Judge T.R. Bailey and was able to gain a vast understanding for all areas of law. Ms. Martin has the experience and the compassion to expertly handle any case, and as someone with personal experience with family law matters, she strives to give care and attention to each individual client and their situation. Ms. Martin holds a Juris Doctorate Degree from Faulkner University, a Certificate in Mediation and serves the courts as a Guardian ad Litem.

Frances-Marie Prizzia dedicates her law practice to upholding the constitutional rights of her clients and zealously defending them. Her passion has always been in criminal defense and public service, as evidenced by her prior work and volunteer history. For the past 15 years, Frances has dedicated herself to the practice of law. Years before opening this firm, Frances worked as an Orange County Public Defender as well as in the Los Angeles County Alternate Defender's Office. While working for Orange County as a trial attorney, she obtained many dismissals, in addition to taking more cases to jury trial and winning more than any other attorney within her unit during that time. Frances is also fluent in speaking Tagalog. Prior to becoming an attorney and while in law school, Frances worked at the Public Defender's office in Santa Cruz. As a law student, she successfully argued and won a motion to suppress evidence due to the unlawful violations of the Fourth Amendment by the investigating police officers. She also researched and wrote motions asking the court to order the disclosure of information regarding confidential informants and confidential police personnel files ("Pitchess motions.") Her compassion and commitment to making a difference and defending those who needed help is what convinced her to apply for law school. She was accepted into, and chose to enroll in, Santa Clara University School of Law, where she had also received her undergraduate degree several years earlier. But some of the reasons Frances chose to return to Santa Clara University was because of its emphasis on criminal defense and public service. In addition to extensive trial advocacy training, the school is also home to the Death Penalty College, Northern California Innocence Project, and Center for Social Justice and Public Service. While in law school, she worked at the Katharine and George Alexander Community Law Center, where she wrote two successful political asylum briefs and won a U-visa (victim of violence) application for her client, which allowed the client to obtain her permanent residency ("green card") and a work permit in the United States. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. I had a case where Filipino nurses were charged by the Attorney General’s office for criminally negligent death of a patient in a nursing home. These poor nurses did nothing but their best to take care of the patient. The doctors ruled the patient’s death as an accident and inevitable due to a heart attack since the patient was in very poor health, had recently endured surgery that he was not fully cleared for but needed to do to save his life, had a prior heart condition, and expired naturally. The AG simply was on a witch hunt because the patient’s family had a civil case and a lot of pull in this matter. The court, during the preliminary hearing, agreed with me, and refused to have these nurses held to answer. The nurses were discharged, and the court also granted a factual innocence motion I brought up in court. How did you build a successful practice? I built this practice on hard work, dedication, compassion towards my client and a lot of hustle. What should clients look for in a lawyer? Passion and heart as well as competency. Client’s should decide on a lawyer based on who they feel most comfortable with and at sync with. They should choose who they feel actually cares and will fight for their case as well as the attorney’s credentials. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? It is very important because different counties have different ways of running their cases and different policies that could mean a dismissal for your client or a guilty plea. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? I provide as much information as the client would like. I do not try to make guesses. I attempt to gather as much information as I can from the client, then look the cases up in the system and attempt to give the best options I can provided with the information I have been given. What information do you need in a free phone consultation? I would need the charges that the clients are looking at, past record history, the facts of the case, what county or court the case is currently in as well as the status of the case. I also ask for what the client wants as the outcome. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? I have a lot of heart and compassion. I truly put myself in my client’s shoes to understand their fears and concerns so that I can obtain the best results for them. What are your other interests in addition to law? I like going to musical theatre, dancing, singing, hiking, and yoga. Are you involved in your community? Yes very much so. I am involved in my church as a Catechist for Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church. I am part of FLOC which is Filipino Lawyers of Orange County. And I have been a room mom for my children’s school for years.

A. Antonio Tomas is a Board Certified Tax Lawyer, Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer and a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Tomas's practice focuses on two main areas: Tax Law and Criminal Law. Mr. Tomas has successfully represented clients against the Internal Revenue Service at the field and appeals level, as well as before the United States Tax Court. He has also advised and counseled clients on various issues, including trust and estate planning, corporate structuring and general tax planning. Mr. Tomas has extensive experience at the state and federal level litigating all phases of a criminal case. He has defended clients charged with various white-collar crimes, as well as other crimes such as grant theft, child molestation and murder. Mr. Tomas graduated with honors from the University of Miami School of Law in 2003. During law school, he interned with the Miami-Dade state attorney's office and was an editor for the Inter-American Law Review. He went on to earn an L.L.M. degree (Masters of Law) in Taxation from the University of Miami in 2006. Prior to law school, he majored in Accounting and earned a Master's Degree in Taxation from Florida International University. He has been a C.P.A. (Certified Public Accountant) in the state of Florida since 2002.

Nicole Brenecki is a native-born New Yorker who, following an extensive overseas education, returned to practice law in her place of birth. Fluent in English, German, and Polish, Ms. Brenecki’s distinctive global experiences allow her to fully understand and appreciate the unique needs of her clients with the ability to explain the intricacies of New York law in multiple languages. Ms. Brenecki obtained her Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School in 2017. At Brooklyn Law, Ms. Brenecki was awarded the prestigious Brooklyn Law Students for the Public Interest Fellowship and in 2018, she co-founded an organization that was instrumental in the repeal of the New York City Cabaret Law by Mayor Bill DeBlasio. Prior to obtaining her Juris Doctorate, Ms. Brenecki received a Master’s Degree in Law at the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw and a Diploma in American Law at Center for American Law Studies at the University of Warsaw in 2013. Nicole has extensive experience working for both Plaintiffs and Defendants and specializes in Personal Injury and Labor Law, as well as Employment and Wage Law, in which she heads the firm’s practice. In only her second year of full-time practice, Nicole was named a “Super Lawyer – Rising Star,” a distinction awarded to no more than 2.5% of attorneys in each state for her excellence as a litigator, in 2021. In 2022, she was honored with the “Super Lawyer – Rising Star” award again, followed by the “Top 10 under 40” Award for New York Personal Injury Attorneys, as well as the Lawyers of Distinction Award. Ms. Brenecki is admitted to practice law in the state of New York, as well as before the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.

I received my Juris Doctor and Master of Social Work degrees from Loyola University Chicago with a certificate in child law and a concentration in non-profit program management and development. There, I also received a public interest recognition award and a leadership and service award. Before forming Hunsinger Law Group, LLC, I worked with multiple disenfranchised populations in various parts of the world. For example, I worked with refugees in southern Mexico at the United Nations, conducted field research about child domestic servitude in Tanzania, and assisted with representing high-risk youth in South Africa at the University of Pretoria's Child Law Centre. In fact, a case wherein I drafted a brief about triple jeopardy for students, received a favorable opinion from the Constitutional Court of South Africa (USA's Supreme Court equivalent). In the United States, I also gained valuable experience at Loyola University's Civitas ChildLaw Center and Northwestern's Bluhm Legal Clinic's Child and Family Justice Center as a student attorney appointed by the court to represent children in custody disputes and protection proceedings. Within that capacity, I conducted home visits investigating the child's safety within the environment. I also met with incarcerated youth and adult clients, writing reports for the legal team about the clients' well-being and institutional adjustment. In addition, I represented juveniles, parolee candidates, and people with disabilities in hearings. My past non-profit experiences include helping one non-profit program increase revenue by 25% in 6-months, drafting mission statements, creating and implementing a mental health screening process for a volunteer program, writing a training component for behavioral health practitioners, specifically a curriculum about military sexual assault, organizing summits that connect service providers to families who lost loved ones, analyzing legislation pertaining to a non-profit's interests and writing fact sheets and briefs to inform staff.

Zachary Mushkatel discovered his affinity for the law by chance. As a political science major at the University of Arizona, he first aspired to become a professor. But an unexpected invitation to participate on a mock trial team at the university encouraged him to turn his competitive spirit and drive to help others into a legal career. “The law is about representing the client’s best interest, being able to think on your feet, and being a master of language and persuasion,” he says. “It just felt like home to me.” Mushkatel graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2004 and has gone on to build a thriving law firm representing clients in the Sun Cities, Northwest Valley and the Phoenix metro region. Mushkatel brings a diverse array of legal expertise to his practice at Mushkatel, Robbins & Becker, PLLC. He started as a public defender before joining the law office of Henry Florence and Sherry Bell to work as a criminal defense attorney. In 2008, he joined forces with Mathis Becker to form Mushkatel and Becker. Throughout that period, he gained experience working in various practice areas, including personal injury, estate litigation, estate planning, guardianship and conservatorship work, probate, corporate litigation, real estate, and various civil matters. Mushkatel’s cross-disciplinary background provides for comprehensive counsel to clients to explore all possible legal avenues. Today, Mushkatel assists individuals throughout the Valley in personal injury, estate and civil litigation matters. Providing exceptional client service and producing results are his top priorities. “My job is to provide a lifeline to clients who feel stuck or helpless and to go to bat for them,” he says. Several of Mushkatel’s personal injury cases have resolved in excess of one-million dollars. He is the recipient of the 2020 Top-Rated Lawyer Award from Avvo and has been named a “Top 40 Under 40” by The National Trial Lawyers and a Premier Attorney by The National Academy of Jurisprudence. For Mushkatel, delivering maximum results does not mean sacrificing personal relationships. Success comes from taking the time to get to know each client’s individual needs and tailoring the legal approach to match his or her goals. Building those relationships results from creating an unpretentious yet professional environment that puts people at ease. “Most law firms run like businesses,” says Mushkatel. “The problem is that a business’s interests may not always run in stride with a client’s best interests. Our clients are our Number One priority, and the way we show it is by sitting back and listening quite a bit.” Community service is important to Mushkatel and every attorney the firm. Each lawyer is required to worki on at least two pro bono cases at all times. Mushkatel believes those services should be provided not for the accolades or to meet State Bar requirements, but simply because helping others is fundamental to the legal profession. Mushkatel is licensed in the State of Arizona, the Federal District Court of Arizona and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is on the board and a faculty member for the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, a program of the State Bar of Arizona’s Trial Practice Section. He is a past president and a member of the West Maricopa County Bar Association and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Sun Valley Lodge. A former semi-professional baseball pitcher, Mushkatel has coached his son’s Little League team for several years. When he is not working, he enjoys golf and spending time with his family.Zachary Mushkatel discovered his affinity for the law by chance. As a political science major at the University of Arizona, he first aspired to become a professor. But an unexpected invitation to participate on a mock trial team at the university encouraged him to turn his competitive spirit and drive to help others into a legal career. “The law is about representing the client’s best interest, being able to think on your feet, and being a master of language and persuasion,” he says. “It just felt like home to me.” Mushkatel graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2004 and has gone on to build a thriving law firm representing clients in the Sun Cities, Northwest Valley and the Phoenix metro region. Mushkatel brings a diverse array of legal expertise to his practice at Mushkatel, Robbins & Becker, PLLC. He started as a public defender before joining the law office of Henry Florence and Sherry Bell to work as a criminal defense attorney. In 2008, he joined forces with Mathis Becker to form Mushkatel and Becker. Throughout that period, he gained experience working in various practice areas, including personal injury, estate litigation, estate planning, guardianship and conservatorship work, probate, corporate litigation, real estate, and various civil matters. Mushkatel’s cross-disciplinary background provides for comprehensive counsel to clients to explore all possible legal avenues. Today, Mushkatel assists individuals throughout the Valley in personal injury, estate and civil litigation matters. Providing exceptional client service and producing results are his top priorities. “My job is to provide a lifeline to clients who feel stuck or helpless and to go to bat for them,” he says. Several of Mushkatel’s personal injury cases have resolved in excess of one-million dollars. He is the recipient of the 2020 Top-Rated Lawyer Award from Avvo and has been named a “Top 40 Under 40” by The National Trial Lawyers and a Premier Attorney by The National Academy of Jurisprudence. For Mushkatel, delivering maximum results does not mean sacrificing personal relationships. Success comes from taking the time to get to know each client’s individual needs and tailoring the legal approach to match his or her goals. Building those relationships results from creating an unpretentious yet professional environment that puts people at ease. “Most law firms run like businesses,” says Mushkatel. “The problem is that a business’s interests may not always run in stride with a client’s best interests. Our clients are our Number One priority, and the way we show it is by sitting back and listening quite a bit.” Community service is important to Mushkatel and every attorney the firm. Each lawyer is required to worki on at least two pro bono cases at all times. Mushkatel believes those services should be provided not for the accolades or to meet State Bar requirements, but simply because helping others is fundamental to the legal profession. Mushkatel is licensed in the State of Arizona, the Federal District Court of Arizona and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is on the board and a faculty member for the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, a program of the State Bar of Arizona’s Trial Practice Section. He is a past president and a member of the West Maricopa County Bar Association and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Sun Valley Lodge. A former semi-professional baseball pitcher, Mushkatel has coached his son’s Little League team for several years. When he is not working, he enjoys golf and spending time with his family.

Adriana Estevez is an immigration attorney dedicated to guiding individuals and families through complex legal processes with skill and care. She brings over a decade of legal training and advocacy to her practice, helping clients navigate matters that often carry life-changing consequences. Adriana earned her Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C. (2013), where she also received several fellowships for her commitment to public interest work, including recognition from the Hispanic Bar Association of D.C. and Equal Justice America. She completed her undergraduate studies at The George Washington University, earning a B.A. in International Affairs and Philosophy with a minor in Political Science (2009). She is admitted to practice law in Virginia and is an active member of the Virginia State Bar, Fairfax Bar Association, and American Bar Association. Her work and professional achievements have been recognized nationally. She has been named to Super Lawyers Rising Stars since 2020, selected as an Elite Lawyer since 2024, and honored as a Marquis Who’s Who listee in 2025. With her background in immigration law and dedication to serving the community, Adriana combines legal knowledge with compassion, ensuring her clients feel supported and empowered every step of the way.

Cincinnati native Bradley J. Groene is a compassionate and industrious legal advocate who has been practicing law in the greater Cincinnati metropolitan area for five years. Brad’s sole practice areas comprise criminal defense, OVI / DUI, and traffic offenses. He has successfully represented clients charged with a wide range of offenses ranging from minor misdemeanors to the most serious felony cases. Brad received his bachelor of science in Business from Miami University in 2005 and his juris doctor from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University in 2008. Brad is a selfless and compassionate Cincinnati defense attorney who practices law because he truly believes in making a difference in the lives of his clients. He passionately believes in the importance of providing stellar, highly effective legal representation for all of his clients so that the charges and penalties they face will not have dire, life changing consequences on their jobs, families, and futures. He is committed to fighting vigorously and tirelessly for every aspect of a client’s case in order to provide each client the justice that they deserve. For Brad, clients come first. It is of paramount importance that each client has a personalized experience rather than feel like a number. He gives his personal cell phone number to clients and makes himself available on a 24/7 basis so that they are able to reach him whenever they need. He understands the urgency of answering questions quickly and promptly, as it is understandable a client’s liberties and privileges are at stake. Brad’s interest in becoming an attorney was initially piqued in college when he took a business law class. This class opened his eyes to the law, as he enjoyed learning about the finer details as well as bigger picture of the legal profession. Little did he know that his interest in business law would develop into a criminal law career. After college Brad attended law school, where he continued to broaden his legal, intellectual, as well as practical skills. It was during law school where his experience in the criminal system began, while interning full time at the Hamilton County Public Defender’s office. He learned the complexities of the criminal justice system and handled actual cases in Hamilton County. Following law school, Brad continued to gain more experience in the criminal arena. He has successfully defended clients facing all kinds of criminal charges from drug offenses to OVIs to domestic violence. Specifically, he has won numerous bench trials in front of judges, argued cases in front of all of the local prosecutors, and has truly gained an understanding for effectively handling a criminal defense case. Brad is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and is licensed to practice law in Ohio as well as Kentucky. He is certified and trained by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration to perform field sobriety tests that law enforcement typically conduct. He also participates in speaking engagements at the Wellness Certified Driver Intervention Program to discuss OVI and DUI law. In his spare time, Brad enjoys spending time with his wife and newborn daughter, watching and attending Cincinnati Reds and Bengals games, playing softball, golfing, spending time with friends, and playing board games with his family.

David W. Clark is the founder and owner of the Wheaton, Illinois, law firm. As a sole practitioner in the firm, Mr. Clark has extensive knowledge in the areas of personal injury, workers' compensation, and limited scope representation/pro se help. With more than 20 years of legal experience devoted to personal injury law and those who have been injured in the workplace, Mr. Clark is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts in Illinois, and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a volunteer with the Administer of Justice and works with their Legal Aid Clinic. He is a member of the Federal Trial Bar. He is also a board member of the DuPage County Lawyer Referral program. In 2012, David Clark was selected for the prestigious Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service from the United States District Court, in conjunction with the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association David was nominated for this award by Judge E. Cox, who felt that his Pro Bono work on behalf of a client merited this award. This award will be presented in May at the Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service Award Ceremony by Chief Federal Judge James F. Holderman.