Michael Patrick Hernandez

Michael Patrick Hernandez

  • Personal Injury, Employment Law, Nursing Home Abuse ...
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Biography

Michael Hernandez is known in the legal community as an expert trial strategist and has a reputation for winning the most difficult cases. In law school, Michael interned for the San Diego Public Defender’s office. Michael worked on hundreds of cases and successfully tried cases to a jury before he was a licensed attorney. Michael’s countless hours working on high-profile murder cases landed him the prestigious award of San Diego Volunteer of the Month for the County of San Diego in December 2012.
After passing the CA Bar Exam, Michael was quickly hired as a lead criminal defense trial attorney. In Michael’s first year as an attorney, Michael won the most criminal defense jury trials in the county of San Diego which resulted in not guilty or hung verdicts. In Michael’s second year as an attorney, he again won the most criminal defense jury trials in the county of San Diego which resulted in not guilty or hung verdicts for his clients. In Michael’s third year as an attorney, he represented a successful rap artist that was charged with driving under the influence of marijuana. After a full acquittal, Michael’s client expressed his gratitude and gave Michael recognition in a rap song featured in his newest album.
Since the start of his firm, Michael has successfully recovered millions of dollars for his clients. Michael is often consulted and brought on to serious cases by other attorneys in the community to aid in trial strategy and presentation. In 2019, Michael was selected to be a “Super Lawyer,” a title in which only the top 2.5% of attorneys hold. Michael continues his life work through his relentless advocacy fighting for underrepresented communities that have been injured in an accident or charged with a crime.

Practice Areas
Personal Injury
Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
Employment Law
Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
Nursing Home Abuse
Animal & Dog Law
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Medical Malpractice
Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors
Professional Associations
State Bar of California  # 292679
Member
Current
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Websites & Blogs
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Blog
HHJ Trial Attorneys blog
Legal Answers
3 Questions Answered
Q. How to appeal an appellate court decision from Los Angeles Superior Court ?
A: I'm sorry to hear about your situation; it sounds incredibly challenging and frustrating. If you've been through multiple levels of court and are facing difficulties with your representation, you may still have options for appealing your case or seeking legal recourse.

Seek New Legal Representation: Given your experiences with your previous public defender and appellate attorney, it may be beneficial to consult with a different attorney who specializes in criminal appeals or wrongful prosecution. HHJ Trial Attorneys can provide guidance tailored to your situation and help you navigate the appeals process.

Determine Grounds for Appeal: An experienced attorney can help you identify valid grounds for an appeal, such as ineffective assistance of counsel, procedural errors, or new evidence that may support your claim of factual innocence.

Understand the Appeal Process: Typically, you would need to file a notice of appeal to the next court level within a specified timeframe after receiving the appellate court's decision. Your new attorney can assist you in ensuring that all necessary documents are filed correctly and on time.

Consider Filing a Motion: If you believe there were significant issues with your previous representation, you might also explore filing a motion for reconsideration or a motion for a new trial, depending on the specifics of your case and the court's rules.

Document Everything: Keep a record of all communications and documents related to your case. This documentation can be crucial for your new attorney in assessing your situation and formulating a strategy for your appeal.

Taking these steps can help you move forward and explore your options for challenging the outcomes you've experienced. Having the right legal support can make a significant difference in navigating this complex process.
... Read More
Q. a subordinate at the previous employment has provided deliberately false information to a background checker
A: It sounds like you may have a potential case for defamation and slander based on the actions of your subordinate. Defamation involves making false statements about someone that harm their reputation, and slander specifically refers to spoken false statements. If your subordinate falsely claimed that you were fired and circulated damaging rumors, and this led to a loss of a job offer and professional references, you could potentially pursue legal action.

To strengthen your case, consider the following steps:

Document Everything: Keep records of all relevant communications, including any written statements from the subordinate, emails, or messages regarding the rumors and the withdrawal of your job offer.

Gather Evidence: Collect statements from colleagues who can attest to the falsehood of the claims made against you and how they’ve affected your professional reputation.

Consult an Attorney: It would be beneficial to speak with a lawyer who specializes in defamation cases. HHJ Trial Attorneys can help assess the specifics of your situation, evaluate the viability of your claim, and guide you on how to proceed legally.

Consider Your Damages: In a defamation case, you would typically need to demonstrate how the false statements have caused you harm, such as lost job opportunities and financial strain.

Taking these steps can help you understand your legal rights and options for seeking compensation for the damage done to your reputation and career.
... Read More
Q. I was rear ended by police and gang task force can I sue for my damaged vehicle?
A: If you were rear-ended by a police vehicle, you may have grounds to pursue a claim for damages to your vehicle. Generally, government entities, including police departments, can be held liable for the negligent actions of their employees, including in accidents. However, there are specific legal considerations and potential limitations when suing a government entity, such as the requirement to file a notice of claim within a certain timeframe.

Here are some steps you may want to consider:

Document the Incident: Gather as much evidence as possible from the accident scene, including photos of the damage, contact information from witnesses, and any police reports or citations issued.

Contact Your Insurance: Notify your insurance company about the accident and provide them with all relevant details. They may be able to assist with the claims process.

Consult an Attorney: Given the complexities involved in accidents involving law enforcement, it would be wise to consult with a lawyer who specializes in accident cases. HHJ Trial Attorneys in San Diego can help you evaluate your case, navigate the legal process, and determine the best course of action for recovering damages.

Consider Potential Claims: Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to file a claim against the police department for your vehicle damage and any related expenses.

Taking these steps can help you understand your rights and options in pursuing compensation for your damaged vehicle.
... Read More
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Contact & Map
HHJ Trial Attorneys: Accident & Injury Lawyers
6435 Caminito Blythefield, Suite D La Jolla, CA 92037
La Jolla, CA 92037
Toll-Free: (888) 505-2934
Telephone: (760) 444-0301
Fax: (877) 808-8348
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
HHJ Trial Attorneys
2175 Salk Avenue Suite 180 Carlsbad, CA 92008
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Toll-Free: (888) 505-2934
Telephone: (619) 465-8733
Fax: (877) 808-8348
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
HHJ Trial Attorneys: San Diego Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
6435 Caminito Blythefield San Diego, CA 92037
San Diego, CA 92037
Telephone: (760) 444-0276
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
HHJ Trial Attorneys: Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
16200 Ventura Blvd Suite 315 Encino Los Angeles, CA 91436
Los Angeles, CA 91436
Telephone: (619) 465-8733
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
HHJ TRIAL ATTORNEYS
1 Better World Cir Suite 220 Temecula, CA 92590
Temecula, CA 92590
Telephone: (866) 691-4803
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Hepburn, Hernandez & Jung Trial Attorneys
6435 Caminito Blythefield
Ste D
San Diego, CA 92037
Telephone: (714) 745-5942
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Hepburn, Hernandez & Jung Trial Attorneys
2121 Palomar Airport Rd. Suite 300
Carlsbad, CA 92011
Toll-Free: (888) 505-2934
Telephone: (760) 978-6045
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours