Steven Hilst is a highly experienced California personal injury trial attorney with more than three decades of practice devoted to helping injured individuals and families seek justice. Now representing clients through Hillstone Law, he focuses on serious injury and wrongful death cases involving motor vehicle accidents, bicycle and pedestrian collisions, premises liability, defective products, brain injuries, dog bites, mass torts, and complex class action litigation.
Mr. Hilst earned his bachelor’s degree in American Government and Politics from the University of Southern California in 1984 before obtaining his Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1987. While in law school, he initially worked on matters representing business and corporate interests, but quickly discovered his true calling was advocating for people, not corporations. That shift shaped the course of his career and solidified his commitment to standing up for individuals during the most difficult times in their lives.
With over 30 years of courtroom and litigation experience, Mr. Hilst is known for his deep personal investment in every case he handles. He has achieved numerous seven and eight figure settlements and verdicts, particularly in cases involving auto defects and catastrophic injuries. His work has earned him national recognition, including honors from The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Trial Lawyers Top 25 Products Liability and Brain Injury Trial Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America for Mass Torts, a “Very Good” Avvo rating, and distinction as a Master with the American Inns of Court.
Clients value Mr. Hilst not only for his legal skill, but for his compassion. He treats every client like family, understanding that behind every case is a person whose life has been turned upside down. He is known for aggressively challenging insurance companies that attempt to minimize or deny valid claims, and for fighting tirelessly to secure the full compensation his clients deserve.
A respected member of the California legal community, Mr. Hilst is affiliated with organizations such as the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Distinguished Justice Advocates. He has also served on the board of directors of the William J. Rea American Board of Trial Advocates Inn of Court and is a former president of The Justice Carlos Moreno Trial Practice, reflecting both his leadership and dedication to excellence in trial advocacy.
