Most personal injury law firms rarely see the inside of a courtroom. Industry data shows that the overwhelming majority of injury claims resolve through settlement before trial.
HHJ Trial Attorneys took a different path.
Founded in 2018 by trial lawyers Michael Hernandez, Adam Hepburn, and Elliott Jung, the San Diego-based firm was built on a simple belief: injured clients deserve attorneys who are fully prepared to take a case before a jury when necessary.
That trial-first mindset has helped HHJ grow from a small startup with limited resources into a firm handling hundreds of personal injury cases across Southern California.
From Public Defenders to Plaintiff Trial Lawyers
Before founding HHJ Trial Attorneys, Hernandez, Hepburn, and Jung worked together at the San Diego Public Defender’s Office. Their backgrounds were rooted in litigation, courtroom advocacy, and trial preparation.
What they did not have was experience running a plaintiff’s personal injury practice.
“We knew how to litigate cases. We knew how to present cases,” Hernandez recalled. “But we were jumping into uncharted territory.”
Rather than relying on advertising budgets or established referral networks, the founding partners focused on what they knew best, trying cases and developing courtroom skills. Guidance from experienced colleagues, support from seasoned paralegals, and training through the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College helped shape the firm’s early foundation.
Building a Practice One Case at a Time
The early years required persistence.
While the firm worked to establish itself in personal injury litigation, the partners continued handling criminal matters to keep the business operating. At the same time, they were developing the systems, resources, and experience necessary to represent injured clients in civil cases.
A successful early civil jury trial became a turning point.
The result reinforced what the partners had believed from the beginning: strong trial advocacy translates across practice areas. Whether representing a criminal defendant or an injury victim, the ability to investigate facts, challenge opposing witnesses, and present a compelling case to a jury remains the same.
Within two years, HHJ was able to transition its primary focus from criminal defense work to civil plaintiff litigation.
Overcoming the Challenges of the Pandemic
Like many businesses, HHJ faced significant uncertainty in 2020.
Motor vehicle accident cases represented a substantial portion of the firm’s caseload, and traffic volumes declined dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fewer vehicles on the road meant fewer collisions and fewer new injury claims.
Despite the slowdown, the partners remained committed to their team.
According to Hernandez, the firm’s founders temporarily waived their own compensation while keeping employees on payroll. A successful case resolution helped stabilize operations, and as economic activity returned, the firm’s growth accelerated once again.
That momentum continued through 2021 and beyond.
Today, HHJ reports steady annual growth while continuing to expand its litigation capabilities throughout Southern California.
A Reputation Built on Taking Cases to Trial
One of the defining characteristics of HHJ Trial Attorneys is its willingness to litigate cases aggressively when settlement offers fail to reflect the full extent of a client’s damages.
Personal injury cases often involve disputes over liability, future medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and long-term disability. Insurance companies understand which firms regularly prepare cases for trial and which firms are likely to settle quickly.
HHJ has built its reputation by demonstrating a willingness to present cases before juries when necessary.
That approach has contributed to significant results, including an $18 million insurance bad faith verdict, a $10 million motor vehicle collision verdict, and numerous seven-figure settlements and verdicts throughout Southern California.
For injured clients, trial readiness can often influence settlement negotiations long before a courtroom is ever involved.
The Financial Risk Behind Every Injury Lawsuit
Personal injury litigation requires a substantial investment long before a case reaches a resolution.
Like most plaintiff law firms, HHJ represents clients on a contingency fee basis. Clients do not pay attorney fees upfront. Instead, the firm advances the costs necessary to investigate and litigate the claim.
Those expenses can be significant.
Litigation costs often include expert witnesses, medical specialists, accident reconstruction professionals, depositions, court filings, and trial preparation. In many cases, tens of thousands of dollars are invested before trial begins.
For cases that proceed to a jury trial, those expenses can increase dramatically.
If the case is unsuccessful, the firm absorbs those costs.
That financial commitment reflects the level of risk involved in pursuing complex personal injury litigation and underscores the importance of thorough case preparation.
Industry Challenges on the Horizon
As the personal injury industry evolves, plaintiff attorneys across California continue monitoring proposed legislative changes that could affect injured individuals’ access to legal representation.
One proposal expected to appear before California voters would place limits on attorney fees in motor vehicle accident cases.
Supporters argue the measure would reduce legal costs. Critics contend it could make it more difficult for injury victims to find experienced trial counsel willing to invest substantial resources into complex cases.
For firms that routinely spend significant sums advancing litigation costs, the issue raises important questions about access to justice and the future of contingency-fee representation.
According to Hernandez, the concern is not simply about attorney compensation. It is whether firms will be able to continue dedicating the resources necessary to properly investigate, litigate, and try serious injury cases.
Looking Toward the Future
While motor vehicle accident litigation remains a significant part of HHJ’s practice, the firm’s long-term vision extends beyond car accident claims.
The attorneys continue expanding into other areas of civil plaintiff litigation, including insurance bad faith disputes and cases involving serious personal harm.
For Hernandez, the goal remains the same as it was when the firm opened its doors in 2018.
To represent people whose lives have been changed by someone else’s wrongdoing and to pursue outcomes that can make a meaningful difference in their future.
As HHJ Trial Attorneys approaches its next chapter, the firm’s growth story reflects more than business success. It reflects a commitment to trial advocacy, accountability, and standing beside injured clients when the stakes are highest.
