Steven Hilst J.D. ’87 joined the Los Angeles personal injury law firm of Banafsheh, Danesh & Javid, P.C., as a senior associate.

A veteran California accident and injury attorney, Hilst has spent more than 20 years fighting insurance companies and wrongdoers to obtain maximum compensation for accident victims and their families. His personal injury and wrongful death litigation experience includes cases involving car accidents, premises liability, motorcycle accidents, dog bites, construction site accidents and a wide variety of other accident types.

In 2001, Hilst received the rank of Associate with the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an invitation-only bar association of the most talented trial attorneys in the country and an honor that only one percent of U.S. attorneys achieve. To qualify for membership in ABOTA, an attorney must not only prove their abilities as a trial lawyer but must also demonstrate the virtues of professionalism and integrity.

Hilst also has obtained the rank of master with the American Inns of Court, served on the board of directors of the ABOTA/William J. Rea Inn of Court and served on the faculty of the ABOTA/Jack Daniels trial school. He was the first president of the California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno Trial Practice Inn of Court, a fraternal organization which teaches trial techniques to attorneys.

He is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, whose membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. In addition to serving as a trial attorney, he has successfully argued appeals that have resulted in published opinions.

Beyond his legal practice, Hilst serves on the board of directors of the Trojan Club of Beach Cities. He is also active in his local Parish, St. James Catholic Church in Redondo Beach, where he teaches adult religious education and is a Sunday lector.