Biography
Tomas Hernandez brings a background in both the public interest and immigration law practice to the job of Associate Director of Career Planning and Development. Before attending law school, he served in the U.S. Army and continued his service in the U.S. Army Reserves while attending law school.
After earning his J.D., he worked as a staff attorney for Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO). Hernandez represented low income individuals in housing and family law matters in trial courts and also represented individuals at risk of losing their public benefits in administrative proceedings. Hernandez was also in private practice with his spouse, specializing in immigration and family law matters before returning to LASO as the Regional Director of the Albany Regional Office.
Hernandez is a past chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee of the Oregon State Bar (OSB) and is currently serving on the OSB Board of Governors. He is also the current president of the Fair Housing Council of Oregon and has served on that board since 2016. Hernandez has been a mentor to new attorneys and law students for many years and was recognized with The Honorable Edward H. Howell Award for Mentoring Excellence in 2021.
EDUCATION
• JD, Willamette University College of Law
• BS, Warner Pacific College