Lisa B. Hernandez, Esq.

Lisa Hernandez is a founding partner at Bender Kurlander Hernandez & Campbell, where she dedicates her practice to representing injured workers through both the State of California workers’ compensation system and the Longshore and Harbor Act system. A fierce advocate for working people, Ms. Hernandez is known for fighting tirelessly on behalf of those who have suffered serious workplace injuries — particularly individuals who are marginalized or who struggle to advocate for themselves in a complex legal system often dominated by insurance companies and corporate interests.

Ms. Hernandez specializes in catastrophic injury, brain injury, and toxic exposure cases. Throughout her career, she has recovered many millions of dollars for injured workers and their families. While proud of the results she has achieved, she understands that no financial recovery can truly compensate for the life-altering losses suffered by her clients. Her approach is rooted in compassion, relentless advocacy, and a deep commitment to helping injured workers obtain the treatment, benefits, and justice they deserve so they can move forward with dignity.

Known for her tenacity and unwavering commitment to her clients, Ms. Hernandez brings to every case the same determination and trial skills that defined her earlier career as a criminal defense attorney. Prior to practicing workers’ compensation law, she served as a Public Defender in both Chicago and San Bernardino, where she handled some of the most challenging and high-stakes matters in the criminal justice system, including death penalty cases, gang-related murders and other gang-related crimes, delinquency, and dependency cases. After returning home to San Diego to practice private criminal defense, she ultimately transitioned into workers’ compensation law, where her litigation background and passion for defending the underdog translated seamlessly into representing injured workers facing uncertainty and adversity.

Ms. Hernandez is deeply involved in leadership and advocacy within the workers’ compensation community. Currently, she is the Treasurer of the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association (CAAA) and is Past President of the San Diego Chapter of CAAA. She is also a very active member of the organization’s Latino Caucus. She is a frequent lecturer and speaker on a wide range of workers’ compensation topics, contributing to education, mentorship, and advocacy efforts throughout the field. Widely respected by colleagues and clients alike, Ms. Hernandez has built a reputation as a fearless advocate who never stops fighting for injured workers and their rights.