Meet the Team

Kevin Hermansen - Directing Attorney

Kevin Hermansen has spent his entire career on one side of the fight: the tenant's side. For over 16 years, he has exclusively represented renters across Los Angeles County, taking on negligent landlords and holding them accountable in court.

Mr. Hermansen earned his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Philosophy from California State University Fullerton and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Southern California. While at USC, he volunteered over 1,000 pro bono hours assisting low-income residents and received the Mason C. Brown Award for his commitment to public service.

In 2009, Kevin began practicing at BASTA, Inc., a nonprofit organization that defends tenants facing eviction and affirmatively sues landlords for substandard housing conditions. At BASTA, he appeared in every courthouse throughout Los Angeles County and represented tenants in over 25 jury trials, hundreds of court trials, and thousands of settlements. He served as BASTA's Director of Operations before opening his own law office on January 1, 2024.

The Law Office of Kevin P. Hermansen, P.C. specializes in eviction defense, habitability lawsuits against slumlords, civil appeals, and judgment enforcement. Kevin works alongside a network of fellow tenant attorneys, united in advancing the rights of renters throughout Los Angeles.

Emmy Danielle Padilla Ponce — Legal Assistant

Emmy Danielle Padilla Ponce supports the firm's tenant rights practice with a sharp legal mind and the organizational backbone every busy litigation office needs. She handles case organization, document preparation, client communication, and the day-to-day coordination that keeps cases moving efficiently from intake through resolution.

Emmy earned her law degree from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) in 2018 and is fluent in both Spanish and English. Her legal career spans intellectual property, employment law, and personal injury — from managing international trademark portfolios at Dentons to handling claims and settlements at a California litigation firm. That range of experience gives her a unique ability to manage complex legal workflows with precision.

At the Law Office of Kevin P. Hermansen, P.C., Emmy works directly with attorneys and clients to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Her bilingual fluency is especially valuable to the firm's many Spanish-speaking clients, providing them with clear, accessible support throughout the legal process.