About Michael A.
Michael A. Hernandez built his legal identity in California courts and community organizations. He brings a clear, practical approach to the work of law. Colleagues note a steady presence at professional gatherings and an ongoing role in statewide legal conversations.
He earned a B.A. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley in 1994. He later completed his J.D. at the University of San Diego School of Law in 2000. Those years shaped an attorney comfortable with public policy debates and the mechanics of litigation. They also placed him in two Bay-to-San Diego academic environments during a formative decade.
After law school he entered active practice. He has been engaged in legal work since earning his degree in 2000. Over time he developed courtroom experience and familiarity with procedural and substantive issues that arise in contested matters. He has handled case preparation, motions practice and courtroom hearings, and he has worked with colleagues across firm and bar networks.
In 2011 he joined the Board of Governors of California Lawyers for Criminal Justice, a role he continues to hold. That long tenure on the board has involved governance and participation in programs that serve criminal law practitioners. His position on the board places him among lawyers who discuss policy, continuing legal education and professional standards for the bar in California.
Hernandez’s professional activity connects to criminal justice concerns. His board service and public work reflect engagement with issues that affect defense lawyers and their clients. He has participated in panels and meetings that bring together trial lawyers, public defenders and private practitioners to address trends in criminal procedure and sentencing.
Peers describe him as practical and disciplined in his approach. He prefers plainspoken explanations in court and in client meetings. He spends time mentoring newer lawyers and contributing to the institutional work of professional organizations. Those contributions extend beyond casework into the broader functioning of the criminal defense bar.
He maintains an active practice and remains involved in statewide legal organizations. His current practice centers on criminal justice matters and the representation of clients in related proceedings.
