Hinshaw Partner Pedro Hernandez Profiled in DBR: An American Success Story

Hinshaw attorney Pedro Hernandez – a litigator working in the firm's Miami office – was recently profiled in the Daily Business Review (DBR). In the article, Pedro discussed his humble beginnings as a Cuban immigrant and why his wife – Maria Hernandez – has served as his rock and his inspiration.

Pedro was born in Havana, Cuba, and later fled the communist country as a teenager with his mother. After moving to New Jersey and struggling to make ends meet, Pedro met Maria in high school. Maria encouraged him to study hard, and Pedro later secured a full academic scholarship and played volleyball at Ramapo College. He was subsequently accepted to Penn State University, The Dickinson School of Law, and he proposed to Maria in his sophomore year of law school.

Pedro joined Hinshaw soon after he and Maria moved to Miami, and he proved a quick study. Ron Kammer, co-chair of the firm's global Insurance Services practice, describes how Pedro played an important role in the firm's involvement as one of the lead counsel in the Chinese drywall multidistrict litigation. "Pedro from the very first days when he came over to join us has shown a drive to become a better lawyer," said Ron. "It’s not very often a young lawyer is presented with that opportunity and he seized it."

However, Pedro was later to experience what he describes as "the worst day of my life," when he learned that Maria had a rare brain tumor and was given only four months to live. After searching for the right surgeon, Pedro and Maria found Dr. Ricardo Komotar, a surgeon at the University of Miami’s Hospital, who was able to successfully remove the tumor.

"The day that the doctors told [Maria] she was in remission far exceeds noncapital partner, capital partner, whatever you want to put it on," Hernandez said. "That was the day that we celebrated."

Pedro has never forgotten the lifesaving work provided by Dr. Komotar. Over the years, he has raised more than $25,000 in research money for Komotar to study rare tumors. Of Pedro, Komotar said "he walks the walk, and doesn’t just talk the talk."

The full article is available on the DBR website (subscription required)

"A Look at How a Miami Litigator Rose from Poverty to Success," was published by The Daily Business Review, November 6, 2020.