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.
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.