Enter legal issue and location
Daniel R. Hernandez Esq. - Chicago, IL
211 W. Wacker Dr.Ste. 200B Chicago, IL 60606
NextLevel law, P.C. by Daniel R. Hernandez, Esq
Chicago Family Law Lawyer
Overview
Daniel R. Hernandez is a visionary social entrepreneur and attorney dedicated to making legal services accessible and affordable for all. At the age of 27, Daniel founded NextLevel Law, P.C., with a mission to provide competent legal services at fixed, affordable costs. His innovative business model, which offers clients flat-monthly subscription fees for legal services, has significantly reduced overall legal costs and created a ripple effect in the legal community.
As the CEO and Principal Attorney of NextLevel Law, Daniel oversees the firm's operations, including revenue management, marketing strategies, and client acquisition. He also mentors associate attorneys and manages the firm's caseload, ensuring that client needs are met with the highest standards of legal representation. Daniel's practice areas include family law, real estate, and LGBT rights, where he provides both courtroom and out-of-court representation.
In addition to his role at NextLevel Law, Daniel is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, where he teaches Family Law and has previously instructed courses on courtroom techniques and expert learning. His commitment to education and mentorship extends to his students, whom he regularly meets to provide feedback and guidance.
Daniel's dedication to community service is evident through his extensive volunteer work. He serves as a Commissioner on the Chicago Commission on Human Relations and is the President Emeritus of the Board of Directors at Between Friends, a nonprofit focused on ending domestic violence. He is also actively involved with the Hispanic National Bar Association, where he holds various leadership positions.
Daniel's contributions to the legal profession and his community have earned him numerous accolades, including being named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers for several consecutive years and receiving the Top Attorney Under 40 award from the Hispanic National Bar Association. His work has also been recognized by Crain’s Business Chicago and Business Equality Magazine.
Daniel is fluent in Spanish, which allows him to serve a broader range of clients and connect with diverse communities. In his spare time, Daniel enjoys rollerblading along Chicago's lakefront path and spending time with friends.
About Daniel R. Hernandez Esq.
Languages
- English (Primary)
- Spanish
Practice Areas
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Child Custody
Qualifications
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 2016
Other Affiliations
- Hispanic National Bar Association, LGBT Division, 2014 - Present (Communications Chair)
- Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, LGBTQ Committee, 2017 - Present (Chair)
- The John Marshall Law School - Student Bar Assoc., 2015 - 2016 (President)
- 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)
Classes and Seminars
- Moderator, Interplay Between Women's Rights, Domestic Violence, and the Second Amendment, Hispanic National Bar Association (2024)
- Panelist, HNBA/VIA Solo/Small Series: How AI Supports Solo/Small Firms, Hispanic National Bar Association (2024)
- Panelist, Unleash the Solo’s CEO Potential, Hispanic National Bar Association (2023)
- Panelist, Grant Funding for Founders and For-Profit Businesses, StartOut (2023)
- Panelist, Do This Not That – The Business of Owning a Law Firm, Hispanic National Bar Association (2022)
- Moderator, Pride, Representation, and Authenticity in the Profession, Hispanic Lawyers Association; Hispanic National Bar Association Region IX (2022)
- Panelist, Starting Your Solo Practice: Understanding Business Development, Chicago Bar Association (2021)
- Panelist, Taking the Big Jump Into Solo Practice – Hanging Your Own Shingle, Hispanic National Bar Association (2020)
- Panelist, The State of Belonging, 2020 Derby Diversity & Business Summit PIVOTChamp Virtual Summit (2020)
- Panelist, What I Wish I Knew as a 1L, University of Illinois Chicago Law School (2020)
- Panelist, Starting Your Own Firm, Chicago Bar Association (2019)
- Panelist, Innovative Practice Panel, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (2019)
- Panelist, NBC Universal Presents THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT: Then & Now, NBC Universal (2018)
- Panelist, Real Talk: Diverse Voices in the Legal Profession, Chicago Bar Association (2018)
- Panelist, Diverse Attorneys - The Children of Illinois Need You!, Illinois State Bar Association (2018)
Pro Bono Activities
- Commissioner, Chicago Commission on Human Relations (2022 – Present)
- President Emeritus, Board of Directors, Between Friends (2023 – Present)
- President, Board of Directors, Between Friends (2021 – 2023)
- President-Elect, Board of Directors, Between Friends (2019 – 2021)
- Member, Board of Directors, Between Friends (2018 – 2019)
- Member, Advisory Board, Above the Line Network (2023 – Present)
- Regional Governor, Region IX, Hispanic National Bar Association (2023 – Present)
- Deputy Regional President, Region IX, Hispanic National Bar Association (2019 – 2023)
- Membership Chair, LGBT Division, Hispanic National Bar Association (2019 – 2020)
- Member, HNBA SCOTUS Nominations Review Committee (Summer 2020)
- Communications Chair, LGBT Division, Hispanic National Bar Association (2014 – 2019)
- Editorial Staff, HNBA Journal of Law and Policy (Fall 2017)
- Special Assistant to the National President, Hispanic National Bar Association (2015 – 2016)
- Advisory Board Member, Justice Entrepreneurs Project, Chicago Bar Foundation (2019 – 2024)
- Member, Integrity Networking Group, Business Network International (2018 – Present)
- Vice President, Integrity Networking Group, Business Network International (2022 – 2023)
- Panel Member, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce, Business Network International (2020 – 2021)
- Chair, LGBT Committee, Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (2017 – 2020)
- Vice-Chair, Young Lawyer’s Division Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Section, American Bar Association (2016 – 2018)
Past Positions
- UIC John Marshall Law School, Adjunct Professor, 2016 - 2019
- Loevy & Loevy
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
- Hon. Pamela Meyerson of the Circuit Court of Cook County
Education
- The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois, 2016
Juris Doctor
Honors: Student Bar Association, President, 2015-2016 - Florida International University, Miama, Florida, 2011
B.A.
Honors: Dean's List
Major: Health Sevices Administration
Fees
Accepts Credit Cards
Articles
Published Works
- Celebrating 50 Years: Becoming the National Organization for Hispanic Legal Professionals, Hispanic National Bar Association, Noticias Magazine (2024)
- A Rainbow Flag: Who Represents the LGBTQ Community, and How Can The Latinx Community Increase its LGBTQ Candidacy?, Noticias Magazine (2019)
- Creating Opportunity, Impact, and Change Through Scholarships, Noticias Magazine (2018)
- Immigration Policy and Its Effects on LGBTQ+ Individuals, Noticias Magazine (2018)
- A Leading Example: Creating Opportunity Through Inspiration and Leadership, Noticias Magazine (2016)
Office Information
Address
211 W. Wacker Dr.Ste. 200B Chicago, IL 60606
Phone
Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Websites
Achievements
Other Sources of Feedback About Daniel R. Hernandez
Honors
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
- Branding All-Star, Justice Entrepreneurs Project (2021, 2024)
- Top Attorney Under 40, Hispanic National Bar Association (2022)
- Notable Non-profit Board Leader, Crain’s Chicago Business (2021, 2022)
- Top Attorneys in America, Marquis Who’s Who Publication Board (2021)
- Who’s Who in America, Marquis Who’s Who Publication Board (2021)
- Best Attorney in Supporting Others, Justice Entrepreneurs Project (2021)
- Best JEP Website, Justice Entrepreneurs Project (2021)
- Crain’s Notable LGBTQ Executive, Crain’s Chicago Business (2020)
- National 40 LGBTQ Leaders Under 40, Business Equality 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)
- Top 30 Under 30, Windy City Times (2018)
- Latinos 40 Under 40, Negocios Now Magazine (2018)
- Favorite Adjunct Professor, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (2016)
When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.
Write Your Review
Fields marked with an * are required
Map Location
How do I choose a lawyer?
Consider the following:
- Comfort Level
- - Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?
- Credentials
- - How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?
- Cost
- - How are the lawyer's fees structured - hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?
- City
- - Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?
Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?
Here are a few to get you started:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases like mine have you handled?
- How often do you settle cases out of court?
- What are your fees and costs?
- What are the next steps?
Want to check lawyer discipline?
It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:
- Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
- Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
- Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.