When you are dealing with a personal injury, having the right attorney can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case. These attorneys from Hillstone Law combine legal skills with compassion, deep experience, and a commitment to getting results. Here are nine standout personal injury attorneys in California, their backgrounds, and what makes them exceptional.

1. Edwin Essakhar, Esq. – Partner

Co-founder and lead trial counsel at Hillstone Law. (hillstonelaw.com) Focuses on protecting the rights of individuals who’ve been wrongfully injured. Received numerous awards and recognitions; was included on the Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list and won one of the Top 30 Breach of Contract Verdicts in California in 2017. Before founding the firm, he worked representing insurance companies against personal injury plaintiffs, giving him insight into how the other side operates.
Education & Bar Admission: J.D., Pepperdine University School of Law, 2012; B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 2008.
Memberships & Admissions: Active in ABA, the LA County Bar, and Consumer Attorneys Assoc. of LA. Admitted in multiple California courts (state and federal).

2. Yvette Essakhar, Esq. – Partner

Co-founder of Hillstone Law and dedicated to advocating for personal injury victims across California. Nearly a decade of specialization in personal injury law, she takes on challenging cases including ones rejected by other firms and has achieved seven-figure results. She previously represented insurance companies earlier in her career, giving her strategic insight. Yvette is known for combining aggressive representation with treating clients like family, always transparent and committed to their best interests.

3. William Percy, Esq. – Partner

Litigator and trial attorney who has recovered tens of millions for injured clients. Experienced in state and federal courts and previously represented Fortune 500 corporations and insurance companies, which strengthens his advocacy for plaintiffs. Education: J.D. from Suffolk University School of Law (2010); B.A. from University of Colorado, Boulder (2007).

4. Tara Heckard-Bryant, Esq. – Senior Attorney

With over 20 years of experience as a litigator, Tara handles cases involving life-altering injuries. She specializes in automobile collisions, premises liability, dangerous conditions on public property, assault, and general negligence. Her approach combines empathy, understanding of medical issues, and effective storytelling to convey how injuries impact clients’ lives.

5. Armen G. Derian, Esq. – Managing Pre-litigation Attorney

Manages pre-litigation operations, overseeing cases from intake to litigation. Armen has a strong defense background representing national insurers and self-insured entities, giving him unique insight into how claims are evaluated. Education: J.D., Southwestern University Law School (2003); B.A., Temple University (1999).

6. Andrew Bunn, Esq. – Senior Attorney

Focuses on high-exposure personal injury lawsuits, including car accidents, slip and falls, product liability, and wrongful death. He has extensive litigation and trial experience in both California and Nevada and previously represented insurance companies, which helps him anticipate defense strategies.

7. Shannon Kerendian, Esq. – Associate Attorney

Part of Hillstone Law’s associate attorney team, Shannon supports major personal injury cases. While her profile offers fewer public details, her role in the firm means involvement in critical case work alongside senior attorneys.

8. Brian Taban, Esq. – Associate Attorney

An associate attorney who works under the supervision of senior attorneys on a variety of personal injury matters, contributing to Hillstone’s reputation for thorough and effective case management.

9. Ruben Contreras, Esq. – Associate Attorney

Another associate attorney on the Hillstone team, Ruben assists in litigation and case management for personal injury clients. While less public detail is available about his background, his role supports the firm’s collaborative approach to achieving strong outcomes.

What Sets This Team Apart

Many of Hillstone’s attorneys have experience on the defense side, representing insurers and large corporations knowledge they now leverage to advocate for injury victims. Their combined expertise spans car accidents, trucking collisions, slip and falls, wrongful death, premises liability, and more. Beyond their legal skills, the team emphasizes empathy, communication, and treating clients like family, ensuring that every case receives both strong advocacy and compassionate support.