Our Founder
Caroline M. Hernandez
Caroline M. Hernandez founded Hernandez Law Office Ltd in 2004. In July 2017, she welcomed partner Cinthya Lee and the firm is now Hernandez & Lee Law Office. Ms. Hernandez holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Spanish from the Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, where she graduated with honors. Ms. Hernandez received her Juris Doctorate degree from Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ms. Hernandez was president of the Hispanic Law Student Association and the president of the Public Interest Law Society. Ms. Hernandez also received a certification for Mediation.
Ms. Hernandez was admitted to the Illinois and Wisconsin State Bar. Ms. Hernandez began her career trying cases with the Waukesha District Attorney’s Office in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Discovering her passion for trial law, Ms. Hernandez became an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. In Chicago, Ms. Hernandez handled hundreds of offenses including DUI, domestic battery, robbery, and drug offenses. As a prosecutor Ms. Hernandez had the unique opportunity to work at several district courts within Cook County including, the Daley Center, 26th & California and Maywood court district. Ms. Hernandez prosecuted hundreds of cases involving violent as well as non-violent crimes. During this time, Ms. Hernandez also obtained criminal jury trial experience. She worked with complex evidentiary issues related to drug and alcohol expert analysis, post-custodial confessions, and handwriting comparison.
Upon leaving the States’ Attorney’s office, Ms. Hernandez worked briefly as partner in a law firm where she applied her extensive trial experience to work on cases set for trial. Ms. Hernandez gained extensive experience in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy law and enjoys helping her clients find the best solution to their financial problems. She is dedicated to helping her clients explore all the potential solutions to their financial debt with clear answers so that her clients can make an informed decision to obtain financial peace. During this time, Ms. Hernandez began to prepare clients to obtain their restricted driving permit, hardship license or reinstatement of their driving privileges in administrative hearings before the Illinois Secretary of State.
In 2004, Ms. Hernandez left to begin her own practice in order to provide quality legal presentation in a firm dedicated to zealous advocacy and integrity. Her goal was to create a practice where clients are treated with compassion and respect. She maintains a manageable caseload and does not take on cases outside of her areas of expertise.
Since then Ms. Hernandez has continued to apply her extensive Criminal Law experience to misdemeanors and felony charges. Ms. Hernandez gained substantial immigration law experience working on immigration cases impacted by crimes. Ms. Hernandez routinely file immigration petitions and applications for immigrant benefits. Ms. Hernandez is an experienced litigator who frequently represents clients in Immigration Court for any and all types of relief to removal or deportation. Ms. Hernandez concentrates her practice in the areas of asylum, deportation defense, lawful permanent residency, immigration cases impacted by crimes, immigration detention, cancellation of removal, family-based immigration, green card applications/waivers, and naturalization/citizenship. Ms. Hernandez represents immigrants from around the world..
She focuses her practice on representing individuals in criminal defense, immigration law and bankruptcy law, and administrative hearings with the Illinois Secretary of State.
She is member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and local bar associations.
Ms. Hernandez’s reputation as an exceptional attorney is well deserved. Her experience, dedication, and skills are matched only by her commitment to excellence. Knowing that individuals come to her in their darkest hour, she has the compassion, experience and dedication to defend each client Ms. Hernandez is mindful of the many questions and uncertainties associated with being in court. Consequently, she takes the time to carefully explain the process to her clients. Ms. Hernandez’s goal is to have her clients leave the office feeling knowledgeable, empowered and in good hands.
Committed to her community, Ms. Hernandez donates countless hours to charitable organizations. She volunteers in children’s ministry at her church and is an ardent advocate for single mothers and the homeless. Ms. Hernandez often gives free lectures on immigration rights and enjoys speaking at local high schools about a variety of legal issues. Ms. Hernandez is the proud daughter of immigrant is fully bilingual in Spanish and English, and currently lives in Elgin, Illinois.