Steven Hilst of Bisnar Chase

Steven Hilst

Personal Injury Lawyer

Steven Hilst became a personal injury lawyer because he saw how his work could transform the lives of severely injured accident victims or families that have lost loved ones under tragic circumstances.

Steven Hilst: Working to Make a Difference

Steven Hilst became a personal injury lawyer because he saw how his work could transform the lives of severely injured accident victims or families that have lost loved ones under tragic circumstances.

When Hilst was in law school, he worked for a firm representing businesses and corporations’ interests. He got little satisfaction from that work. But when he took on personal injury cases, he relished his one-on-one contact with clients and the precious opportunity he had to help them pick up the pieces and get their lives back together.

Making a Difference in People's Lives

Hilst particularly remembers a wrongful death case early in his career where he helped a young woman – an immigrant from India – who was in the U.S. with her husband, an engineer. She was still going to school and was on a student visa when her husband was tragically killed in a parking structure accident resulting from a construction defect.

“We were able to get a substantial settlement for the woman whereby she had the financial resources to remain in the country and complete her studies,” Hilst said. “In personal injury law, you see first-hand how you’ve helped someone and how that has helped turn their life around. You meet these people in horrible situations in their life and help them get compensation and monetary support. What could be more satisfying than that?”

Now, Hilst, who once represented corporations like insurance companies, works for the other side. This is how he looks at it.

“If I represent the insurance companies, I’m depriving someone of compensation and essentially denying them justice,” he said. “But when I represent injured plaintiffs, I’m helping them seek and obtain justice and fair compensation.”

Some of Steve’s Case Results

Award Amount Type of Case
$12,238,000.00 Auto Defect
$5,830,000.00 Auto Defect- Side Airbag Failure
$5,470,000.00 Premise Liability – Auto vs. Pedestrian
$3,000,000.00 Auto Defect – Tire Separation
$2,250,000.00 Auto Defect – Roof Crush/Rollover
$2,250,000.00 Auto Defect – Seatbelt Failure
$2,250,000.00 Auto Defect – Roof Crush/Rollover
$2,000,000.00 Auto Defect – Lack of Side Curtain Airbag
$1,980,000.00 Auto Defect – Roof Crush/Rollover
$1,500,000.00 Auto Defect – Roof Crush/Rollover
$1,500,000.00 Auto Defect – Rollover
$1,300,000.00 Auto Defect – Roof Crush/Rollover
$1,250,000.00 Auto Defect – Roof Crush
$1,250,000.00 Auto Defect – Roof Crush/Rollover
$1,235,000.00 Auto Defect – Airbag Failure
$1,000,000.00 Auto Defect – Seatback Failure

Fighting the Good Fight

Hilst treats every case like it’s a chess game.

“I’m competitive; I like to win,” he says. “I look at the big picture when I develop the strategy. I take every case like it’s going to trial. I remember at every moment that I’m standing up for someone who would otherwise not have this chance to get justice.”

It’s not just about money or victories for Hilst.

“It’s about treating your clients like they are your friends or family,” he says. “This is personal for me.”

Hilst walks that talk when he represents accident victims against insurance companies. He focuses on telling insurance companies his clients’ stories by humanizing them instead of making them seem like numbers on a page.

“I try to make the insurance company see how this person is a human being and that his or her life matters,” Hilst said. “Hopefully, it helps insurance companies understand the person’s story.”

But, when it doesn’t, Hilst has never hesitated to go to all out, take the case to trial, and get his clients what they rightfully deserve.

A Team-Oriented Environment

Hilst, in working with Bisnar Chase’s team of trial lawyers, believes that he is in the right place.

“Bisnar Chase is well known as a leader when it comes to catastrophic injury and product liability cases,” he said. “The team here goes above and beyond in representing clients. This is a firm that is not afraid to stand up against multi-billion dollar corporations.”

Hilst says he also values the team-oriented atmosphere at Bisnar Chase.

“We work together for the common good, which is to get just compensation for clients,” he said. “But fees alone is not the motivation for the good work we do. The primary goal is to do the best job we can for clients and treat them really well. I’m honored to be a part of this team.”

Early Life and Education

Hilst was born in a small town in Central Illinois, in the area where President Abraham Lincoln practiced as a lawyer. He moved to Southern California when he was 3 and has remained here. Hilst obtained a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California in 1984 and a Doctorate law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1988. He also holds a post-doctorate law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He lives in Redondo Beach, loves to work out and go to the beach. Hilst is also a die-hard USC football fan.

Professional Legal Accomplishments

Steven Hilst Top 1% Attorneys in America

DJA Affiliation

Mr. Hilst is also an honorary of the Distinguished Justice Advocates Top 1% Attorneys in America.

Hilst has obtained the rank of Master with the American Inns of Court, has served on the Board of Directors of The William J. Rea/ABOTA  Inn of Court, and was the first President of The Carlos Moreno Trial Practice In of Court. He has also served on the faculty of the LA-ABOTA trial school. Hilst also served on the Board of The Beach Cities Trojan Club, which raises money for student-athletes.

Steve received a top-honor recognizing him as one of the Best Lawyers in America 2021 – Mass Torts.

Since 2001, Hilst has been a member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an invitation-only bar association consisting of the most accomplished trial attorneys in the United States.

He is also a life member of The Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor bestowed on only 5 percent of attorneys in the U.S.

His motto?  “Work hard, always be prepared, speak from your heart, never give up, and always fight on.”

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Awards and Honors

Client Reviews

Bisnar Chase Google Review - Lena

I wasn’t sure if I needed a personal injury attorney because I’d never been in a car accident before. I assumed I’d just go straight through the other driver’s insurance but that quickly became a nightmare. I spent months fighting over the simplest of issues about my case, which was 100% the other driver’s fault. I hired Bisnar Chase to see if they could just take it over for me. I was really impressed with how much they communicated everything to me! I suddenly started getting calls from the insurance company, imagine that. My final settlement was 6 times what I asked for to begin with. Everyone I dealt with was really involved in what was best for me, not the insurance.

Lena Murillo
Bisnar Chase Google Review

Bisnar Chase is a model #veteranowned business that is purpose-driven — showing the power of patriotism in action! Because of Bisnar Chase, low-income veterans will be able to forge new futures at home through pro bono legal care. Team Veterans Legal Institute is grateful to have Bisnar Chase as a sponsor for Lawyers for Warriors — supporting the promise to be there for our veterans when they need it most.

KellyAnn Romanych
Bisnar Chase Reviews

Bisnar Chase has been amazing with me through my lawsuit. I felt real compassion for my case and I was given their very best to make sure I was well taken care of. In addition to the great service given during my case, Bisnar Chase helped me get my son to his invited USA Football Team camp in Texas. They immediately offered to help fund the trip and are so supportive of his journey. I felt Kristi is just as excited for him as I am with this opportunity. Kristi has been an absolute delight to talk with. Bisnar Chase is more than I ever expected I could get in an attorney. I would recommend them to anyone!

Christina Del Real
Bisnar Chase Review - Natalie

I’m so impressed with this law firm. I lost my mother because of a seat defect when she was rear-ended in an auto accident and Bisnar Chase stepped up and took our case. The staff is wonderful and Brian Chase took his time explaining everything via phone with me. I’m honored to have the best of the best working on our family’s behalf, trying to get justice for my Mom, because of a negligent car company still manufacturing faulty seats. I look forward to working with this firm and am hopeful for a positive outcome. Thank you so much, Brian Chase. I know you will work your hardest on this case. God Bless you.

Natalie C.

Case Results

  • 1

    $117,500,000

    Consumer Class Action

  • 2

    $38,650,000

    Motor Vehicle Accident

  • 3

    $32,698,073

    Auto Defect – Seat Manufacturers, Johnson Controls

  • 4

    $30,000,000

    Motorcycle Accident

  • 5

    $24,744,764

    Defective Seatback

  • 6

    $16,444,904

    Bicycle Accident