Daniel R. Hernandez
NextLevel Law, LLC
Chicago, Illinois
Daniel R. Hernandez is the founder of NextLevel Law and serves as its CEO and Principal Attorney. The Chicago-based firm provides affordable, transparent legal services to middle-income families, with a focus on family law and LGBTQ+ advocacy. He serves as the National Secretary for the Hispanic National Bar Association and its charitable arm, the HNBA VIA Fund. Daniel is a passionate innovator in access-to-justice reform and a proud member of the Above the Line Network, working to make legal services more inclusive and client-centered. Connect with Daniel.
How are you meeting the needs of the middle market? At NextLevel Law, we’ve built our entire model around serving the middle market—those who are often “above the line” for legal aid but still struggle to afford traditional legal services. We offer transparent, fixed-fee subscription pricing, which removes the fear of unpredictable legal bills and makes high-quality representation accessible. Our focus on family law and LGBTQ+ issues allows us to serve communities that are often overlooked or underserved. By combining affordability, empathy, and legal excellence, we’re closing the justice gap for middle-income individuals and families in Chicago and beyond.
What do you most value about ATLN? What I value most about ATLN is its collaborative spirit and bold mission. It’s a space where innovators, socially conscious firms, and justice advocates come together to share ideas, resources, and best practices. ATLN doesn’t just talk about the justice gap—it actively works to transform the delivery of legal services for the middle class. Being part of a network that amplifies the voices of middle-income Americans and pushes for systemic change is both inspiring and essential.
What have you found to be the most valuable resource as you build your firm/program? The most valuable resource has been community—both professional and client-based. Listening to the real needs of our clients helped shape our pricing model and service delivery. On the professional side, mentorship, collaboration with other forward-thinking attorneys, and involvement in networks like ATLN, and the Chicago Bar Foundation's Justice Entrepreneurs Project have provided insights and support that helped NextLevel Law grow with purpose. Also, being part of Chicago’s vibrant legal and social justice community has been a constant source of inspiration.
What change to the justice system do you think would have the biggest positive impact on serving the middle market? The biggest impact would come from reforming the regulatory framework to allow for more flexible legal service delivery models—including educating the judiciary on alternative fee structures and expanding the use of technology within the courts and legal service delivery. The current system is built around traditional, high-cost models that exclude middle-income Americans. If we can reimagine licensing, service delivery, and funding, we can make justice truly accessible for all.
Share one fun fact about yourself. I’m a huge fan of rollerblading along Chicago’s lakefront path—it’s my favorite way to unwind and recharge. There’s something about the rhythm, the skyline, and the lake breeze that clears the mind and fuels creativity.