NextLevel Law, P.C. by Daniel R. Hernandez, Esq

­­­Attorney Daniel R. Hernandez

Biography:

Daniel R. Hernandez is a social entrepreneur and attorney who brings access to justice to families that once could not imagine affording an attorney. At age 27, Daniel started a law firm with the mission of offering competent legal services at affordable fixed costs. In this short period, shockwaves have hit the legal community caused by Daniel’s innovative business and pricing model –where clients pay flat-monthly subscription fees for legal services, slashing the overall legal cost for his clients.

As a practitioner, Daniel assists families in transition through divorce and child custody proceedings. His experience among transitioning families is wide-ranging – he is legal counsel to mothers, fathers, grandparents, and even children as their Guardian Ad Litem.

Outside of the firm, Daniel currently serves as President for the Hispanic National Bar Association Region IX. Daniel also serves as President-Emeritus of the Board of Directors at Between Friends, a nonprofit committed to ending domestic violence. He is also active among many bar associations. Prior, he served LGBT Committee Chair for the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois; Membership Chair for the LGBT Division of the Hispanic National Bar Association; and Vice-Chair of the ABA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee of the Young Lawyers Division.

Daniel was appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. Daniel is a recipient of the Windy City Times as a 30 under 30 Award (2018); Rising Star by Super Lawyers (2019; 2020; 2021; 2022); Negocios Now Latinos 40 under 40 (2019); Young Lawyer of the Year by HLAI (2019); BEQ Pride Magazine 40 LGBTQ Leaders Under 40 (2020); Crain’s Business Chicago Notable LGBTQ+ Executive (2020); Crain’s Business Chicago Notable Nonprofit Leader (2021); and Hispanic National Bar Association’s Top Attorney Under 40 (2022).

Daniel is humble and compassionate with a radiant smile, to the point that it changes others’ feelings. In his spare time, you may catch Daniel roller-blading the Chicago’s lakefront path or catching up with friends.

Bar Admissions:

• Illinois, 2016

Education:                                         

• The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois
  • Juris Doctor - 2016
  • Honors: Student Bar Association, President, 2015-2016
• Florida International University, Miami, Florida
  • B.A. - 2011
  • Honors: Dean's List
  • Major: Health Services Administration

Professional Memberships and Achievements: 

• National 40 LGBTQ Leaders Under 40, Business Equality Magazine (2020)
• Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine (2020)
• Young Lawyer of the Year, Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (2019)
• Distinguished Service Award, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (2019)
• Top Contributor Award, Business Network International (2019)
• Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine (2019)
• Top 30 Under 30, Windy City Times (2018)
• Latinos 40 Under 40, Negocios Now Magazine (2018)
• Favorite Adjunct Professor, UIC John Marshall Law School (2016)
• Between Friends, President of the Board of Directors
• Chicago Volunteer Legal Services - Volunteer/Pro Bono Attorney, 2017 to Present
• Hispanic National Bar Association, Region IX, Vice-President, 2019 to Present
• Hispanic National Bar Association, LGBT Division, Communications Chair, 2014 to Present
• Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, LGBTQ Committee, Chair, 2017 to Present
• The John Marshall Law School - Student Bar Assoc., President, 2015 to 2016
• American Bar Association, Member
• National Hispanic Bar Association, Member
• Illinois State Bar Association, Member
• Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, Member
• Chicago Bar Association, Member
• Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, Member

Languages Spoken: 

• English
• Spanish