About Amanda Hernandez

Biography

Amanda I. Hernandez is a San Antonio criminal defense attorney and the founder of Amanda Hernandez Law PLLC. Since becoming licensed in 2016, she has dedicated her practice exclusively to defending people facing state and federal criminal charges throughout Texas. She is known for strategic advocacy, meticulous preparation, and a commitment to protecting her clients’ rights in the courtroom.

Outside the courtroom, Amanda is active in the criminal defense community as a CLE faculty member and speaker, and as Editor of VOICE for the Defense, the official publication of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. She previously served as President of the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (SACDLA) for the 2025–2026 term and continues to serve on TCDLA’s Criminal Defense Lawyers Project (CDLP) Committee. She has been selected as a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star in Criminal Defense (2024–2026) and was honored as SACDLA’s Young Lawyer of the Year in 2019. She is also a graduate of the Trial Lawyers College (October 2025), an intensive trial advocacy program focused on courtroom communication and client-centered representation.

At the heart of Amanda’s practice is a simple belief: every person deserves a strong defense, compassionate representation, and an attorney who will stand beside them during one of the most difficult times in their life.

Professional Experience

Amanda Hernandez Law PLLC — Founder & Managing Attorney

San Antonio, Texas | August 2024 – Present

• Represent clients in state and federal criminal matters ranging from misdemeanors to first-degree felonies and federal conspiracy cases.
• Handle all phases of litigation, including investigations, motion practice, evidentiary hearings, negotiations, jury trials, and sentencing advocacy.
• Particularly experienced in defending allegations involving sexual offenses, family violence, narcotics, firearms, and violent crimes.
• Regularly appointed under the Criminal Justice Act in federal court.
• Collaborate with other defense counsel on trial strategy and witness examinations in complex felony cases.

Flanary Law Firm, PLLC — Associate Attorney / Of Counsel

San Antonio, Texas | 2016 – Present

• Practiced criminal defense in state and federal courts with an emphasis on serious felony litigation.
• Managed extensive docket involving jury trials, contested hearings, plea negotiations, and appellate-related issues.
• Worked on high-level felony matters involving sex offense allegations, homicide-related offenses, narcotics conspiracies, and white-collar allegations.
• Assisted in trial preparation, cross-examinations, motions practice, and mitigation development in complex criminal cases.