Justice for Sergio Hernandez
Hilliard Law is committed to fighting for social justice issues on behalf of our society's most vulnerable members. At Hilliard Law, this commitment to give a voice to the voiceless is a passion that drives the success of our law firm.
Hernandez VS. Mesa: International Case
Sergio Adrian Hernandez, of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, was only 15 years old when a bullet struck his face, just under the left eye. His lifeless body collapsed under the international bridge as he desperately ran for cover. This was not one of the countless brutal killings at the hands of the drug cartels which terrorize the U.S.-Mexico border. Sergio was shot in cold blood by Border Patrol Agent Jesus Mesa, as the young boy played with friends just yards away in Mexico.
Mr. Hilliard filed suit on behalf of Sergio’s family to ensure that the teen’s tragic death would bring about significant reforms in the conduct of border agents. Hilliard took his fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court on February 21, 2017.
Speaking for the plaintiff before the eight justices, Mr. Hilliard argued for extraterritorial application of the Fourth Amendment, whether qualified immunity can be granted or denied based on facts unknown to Officer Mesa at the time of the shooting and whether the plaintiff’s claim may be asserted under Bivens vs Six Unknown Fed. Narcotics Agents.
On June 26, 2017, the Supreme Court Justices vacated the lower court’s judgment, saying that Fifth Circuit Court made a mistake when it found that Agent Mesa had qualified immunity. SCOTUS remanded the case back to the Texas appellate court.
Contact Our Attorneys Today
If we take your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we win.
If you have suffered any type of injustice please call us at (361) 882-1612 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
Real Results ReaL Justice
-
$50Class Action
Million Settlement*Mr. Hilliard was the lead class counsel in Haese v. H&R Block, a class action lawsuit involving every Texan who received a rapid refund from H&R Block (approx. 300,000 plaintiffs). He assisted other class counsel in forcing H&R Block to disclose it received kickbacks for arranging loans between its tax preparation clients and predatory lenders.
-
$20Property Damage
Million SettlementOn the eve of the arbitration hearing, Hilliard Law attorneys obtained a $20 Million settlement on behalf of Nueces County, Texas for property damage that occurred as a result of Hurricane Harvey.
-
$13.5Predatory Lending
Million VerdictIn 2005, Mr. Hilliard represented multiple plaintiffs in litigation with Ocwen Loan Services, LLC (formerly Ocwen Federal Savings Bank) on allegations of predatory lending. Mr. Hilliard tried two cases which resulted in combined verdicts of $13.5 million.
-
ConfidentialBank Discrimination
SettlementHilliard Law attorneys secured a large confidential settlement against a financial institution that imposed unjust and discriminatory standards on its Black customers. The sizeable settlement marked a victory against the widespread, racist phenomenon known as “Banking while Black.”
