Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Los Angeles County Superior Court, Department SMC - 507

Appointed By: Gov. Gavin C. Newsom

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Marisa Hernandez-Stern is a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California. Hernandez-Stern was appointed to the bench by Governor Gavin Newsom on January 29, 2024, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Katherine Chilton[1].

Educational background

Hernandez-Stern received a bachelor's degree from Brown University. At the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, she completed a J.D. in 2010[2]. While in law school, she participated in the David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy and the Critical Race Studies Program[2]. She was admitted to the State Bar of California (2012).

Career history

After graduating from law school, Hernandez-Stern served as a judicial law clerk to Harry Pregerson on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2011 to 2012). She then entered private practice as an associate at Traber & Voorhees (2012 to 2015). In 2015, Hernandez-Stern joined Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai as an associate and remained there until 2016. She next transitioned to Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County as a staff attorney, serving from 2016 to 2017. In 2017, Hernandez-Stern joined the California Department of Justice's Worker Rights and Fair Labor Section as a deputy attorney general. Three years later, she became a supervising deputy attorney general, the position she held immediately before joining the judiciary.

In bar-association leadership, Hernandez-Stern served as president of the Mexican American Bar Association in 2020 and chaired its Federal Judicial Externship & Scholarship Program[3]. Memberships have included the Latina Lawyers Bar Association and the Pacific Council on International Policy. In 2021, the Hispanic National Bar Association named her among its Top Lawyers Under 40[4]. The University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, presented her with its U. Serve L.A. award in 2022[5].

Personal life

Hernandez-Stern is part of a Los Angeles County judicial family. Her father, Michael L. Stern, and her brother, Benjamin P. Hernandez-Stern, have served on the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Michael L. Stern retired from the bench in 2024. At her 2024 swearing-in ceremony, her father and brother administered the oath[6].

Outside the courtroom, Hernandez-Stern returned to the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, in August 2025 to administer the Oath of Professionalism to the incoming class, where she spoke about ethics, empathy, and mentorship in the profession[7].

Hernandez-Stern is registered as a Democrat.

References

[1] Governor of California Press Release (January 29, 2024)
[2] Daily Bruin — Gov. Newsom Appoints Two UCLA School of Law Alumni to Los Angeles Superior Court
[3] Los Angeles County Bar Association — Hispanic Heritage Month Honorees
[4] Hispanic National Bar Association — Announcement of the 2021 HNBA Top Lawyers Under 40 Award Recipients
[5] UCLA Law — U. Serve LA Honors Alumni and Students
[6] Daily Journal — Judge Sworn in by Father, Brother, Both LA Judges
[7] UCLA Law — UCLA Law Welcomes Outstanding Class of Talented Students

Recent Cases by Hon. Marisa Hernandez-Stern

On October 22, 2026 an other civil petition (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Civil Petition (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 22, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 22, 2026 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Product Liability ? Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act¿(Lemon Law) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Consumer

Matter Type

General Consumer

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 22, 2026 an unlawful detainer/residential (not drugs or wrongful eviction) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Unlawful Detainer/Residential (not drugs or wrongful eviction) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Unlawful Detainer

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 21, 2026 an other civil petition (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Civil Petition (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

On October 21, 2026 a contract/warranty breach - seller plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Contract/Warranty Breach - Seller Plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

On October 21, 2026 a breach of rental/lease contract (not unlawful detainer or wrongful eviction) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Breach of Rental/Lease Contract (not unlawful detainer or wrongful eviction) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Unlawful Detainer

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

On October 21, 2026 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

On October 21, 2026 an other real property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Real Property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

On October 21, 2026 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

On October 20, 2026 an other promissory note/collections (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Promissory Note/Collections (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

On October 20, 2026 an other employment complaint (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Employment Complaint (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

On October 19, 2026 an other non-personal injury/property damage/wrongful death tort (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Non-Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death Tort (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

On October 19, 2026 an other civil petition (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Civil Petition (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

On October 19, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 2026

On October 19, 2026 an other employment complaint (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Employment Complaint (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

On October 16, 2026 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 2026

On October 16, 2026 a contract/warranty breach - seller plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Contract/Warranty Breach - Seller Plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

On October 16, 2026 a fraud (no contract) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Fraud (no contract) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

On October 15, 2026 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Product Liability ? Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act¿(Lemon Law) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Consumer

Matter Type

General Consumer

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

On October 15, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

On October 15, 2026 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Product Liability ? Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act¿(Lemon Law) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Consumer

Matter Type

General Consumer

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

On October 15, 2026 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 15, 2026

On October 14, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Marisa Hernandez-Stern presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2026