Hernandez Laska LLP
HL-expanded-logo-with-transparent-background-blue

Ileana M. Hernandez

Founding Partner

Ileana is a seasoned attorney who focuses on a wide range of complex litigation matters in the health insurance and managed healthcare industries. Ileana advises and defends major health plans and insurers in coverage disputes, unfair competition actions, investigations and enforcement actions, bad faith denial of benefits suits, out-of-network provider reimbursement disputes, and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) suits. She’s actively involved in all phases of litigation, from prelitigation counseling through trial and appeal. And she represents clients in state and federal courts, mediation, arbitration, and administrative proceedings.

Before cofounding Hernandez Laska LLP in 2025, Ileana spent more than 25 years at the national law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, where she most recently led Manatt’s Chambers-ranked healthcare litigation group. She also served as a judicial extern to District Court Judge Audrey B. Collins in the Central District of California.

In addition to her client work, Ileana sits on the Board of Trustees for Mount St. Mary’s University, Los Angeles, an independent Catholic university primarily for women and nationally recognized for its academic and leadership programs. She’s also actively involved in pro bono work, representing Spanish-speaking clients seeking assistance with asylum, adoptions, permanent guardianships, and unlawful detainer actions.

Education
  • University of Southern California Law School, J.D., 1998
    President, USC La Raza Law Students Association
    Finalist, Hispanic National Bar Association Moot Court Competition
  • University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., summa cum laude, 1995
  • Admitted to practice in California
  • Admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and all U.S. district courts in California
  • Member, Board of Trustees, Mount St. Mary’s University, Los Angeles Member, American Health Law Association
  • Member, California Society of Healthcare Attorneys
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Hispanic National Bar Association
  • Former Member, Board of Trustees, Muse-ique
  • Former Member, Board of Trustees, Hispanic College Fund
  • Top 100 Lawyers, Los Angeles Business Journal, 2023
  • Women of Influence: Health Care, Los Angeles Business Journal, 2023–24
  • Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys, Los Angeles Business Journal, 2023–24
  • Top Healthcare Lawyers, Daily Journal, 2022–23
  • Top Women Lawyers in California, Daily Journal, 2019
  • Recipient, USC La Raza Law Students Association Alumni of the Year (recognizing outstanding commitment to public service), March 2008
  • Spanish
  • Member of the trial team defending a health insurer against claims for breach of contract and bad faith for its refusal to reimburse out-of-network providers for substance use treatment services allegedly provided to insureds. After a seven-week jury trial, the jury returned a complete defense verdict in favor of the insurer and awarded $47.5 million against the providers and their owner for common law fraud and violations of RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act).
  • Lead counsel defending a health care service plan in a breach of contract and bad faith lawsuit alleging that the plan failed to reimburse members for pharmaceuticals. Disposed of the action on summary judgment.
  • Lead counsel defending numerous health care service plans and health insurers in multiple lawsuits filed in federal and state courts by an assignee of a substance use treatment provider seeking millions of dollars in reimbursement for services allegedly rendered to members and insureds. Disposed of the actions on a motion to dismiss.
  • Lead counsel defending a health care service plan in a bad faith and unfair competition lawsuit filed by a member seeking to recover damages for the plan’s denial of prior authorization for spinal surgery. Disposed of the action in part on a motion for summary judgment, which later facilitated a favorable settlement. Member of the trial team defending a health insurer in over 30 lawsuits filed by out-of-network providers seeking reimbursement for substance use treatment and mental health services allegedly rendered to insureds. All lawsuits were successfully resolved or dismissed.
  • Member of the trial team defending a health care service plan in a wrongful death and bad faith lawsuit involving an untested and experimental cancer treatment. Disposed of the action on summary judgment. Lead trial counsel defending a health care service plan in a lawsuit involving coverage for prescription drugs. Disposed of the action on summary judgment. Lead trial counsel defending a health care service plan and health insurer in complex lawsuits involving coverage for hepatitis C treatment. Successfully resolved the cases through favorable settlements.
  • Member of the trial team defending a health care service plan in a high-profile administrative action in which the California Department of Managed Health Care sought the second-largest fine in the department’s history for the health plan’s alleged failure to provide timely access to mental health care. Settled on the eve of trial.
  • Lead counsel representing a health care service plan in a lawsuit alleging breach of contract, bad faith, and unfair business practice claims for services rendered by out-of-network providers. Disposed of the action on a summary judgment motion.
  • Lead counsel defending a health care service plan in ERISA and non-ERISA lawsuits alleging failure to pay for mental health care services. Actions voluntarily dismissed or disposed of through summary judgment motions.
  • Successfully resolved multiple lawsuits filed against a health care service plan concerning representations about provider networks in the health care service plan’s advertising, marketing, and other communications.
  • Speaker, “The Impact of AI on Health Care Providers and Payors,” Manatt Health Webinar, June 12, 2024.
  • Speaker, “Emerging Fraudulent Schemes in Health Care: A Guide to Protecting Plan and Provider Organizations,” Manatt Health Webinar, October 17, 2023.
  • Speaker, “The Litigation Trends Transforming Health Care: ‘Must-Watch’ Cases and Issues in 2023 and Beyond,” Manatt Health Webinar, April 26, 2023.
  • Speaker, “Health Care Litigation Trends to Watch in 2022 . . . and Beyond,” Manatt Health Webinar, April 27, 2022.

Joseph E. Laska

Founding Partner

Joe defends managed health care plans and health insurers in complex state and federal litigation, arbitration, and regulatory and administrative disputes. His clients include several of the nation’s leading health care plans and health insurers, as well as the trade groups representing them. Joe works with these clients to successfully navigate complex litigation, trials, class actions and settlements, regulatory disputes and negotiations, and appeals. Joe’s practice places particular emphasis on class actions, ERISA litigation, and the evolving area of mental healthcare and mental health parity, and he frequently speaks and writes on these topics.

Before cofounding Hernandez Laska LLP in 2025, Joe spent more than 23 years at the national law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, where he worked his way up from summer associate to equity partner in Manatt’s Chambers-ranked healthcare litigation group.

In addition, Joe is actively involved in pro bono and charitable work, including serving on the national board of Music Will, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and revitalizing music education in public schools across the country.

Education
  • University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, J.D., 2002
  • American University, B.A., University Honors in International Relations, cum laude, 1998
  • University of Paris, La Sorbonne, Paris, France, 1997
  • Admitted to practice in California
  • Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and all U.S. district courts in California
  • Member, American Health Lawyers Association
  • Member, Defense Research Institute’s Life, Health, Disability and ERISA Committee
  • Member, Board of Directors, Music Will (fka Little Kids Rock)
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers, 2025
  • State Bar of California’s Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services, 2010 and 2014
  • Voted a Southern California “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers magazine, 2005–2017
  • Named one of the “Top 40 Under 40” by the Los Angeles Daily Journal, April 12, 2017
  • Lead trial and appellate counsel defending numerous health care service plans and health insurers in dozens of individual and putative class actions, in both ERISA and non-ERISA contexts, in multiple states, alleging failure to cover medically necessary residential treatment and other levels of mental health and substance use treatment. Those actions that have gone to trial have led to wins that have been upheld on appeal. This work includes, for example:
    • Lead counsel for a health care service plan in a putative ERISA class action challenging practices with respect to autism therapy. Defeated class certification in full. Plaintiff elected not to appeal. Disposed of remaining individual claim on standing grounds.
    • Lead trial and appellate counsel for a health care service plan in a putative ERISA class action alleging systemic failure to arrange for residential treatment. Prevailed on a precertification motion for summary judgment, defeated a subsequent motion for reconsideration, and prevailed on appeal.
    • Lead trial counsel for a national health insurer in a putative nationwide ERISA class action alleging a systemic failure to adequately cover residential treatment. Filed a motion to dismiss the entire action. Before the motion could be heard, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the class claims and settled the remaining individual claim.
    • Lead trial and appellate counsel representing a health care service plan and health insurer in a series of high-profile putative class actions involving the alleged failure to deliver medically necessary mental health treatment to members. Settled one putative class action on a nonclass basis, obtained complete dismissal of another plaintiff’s claims on ERISA preemption grounds, defeated class certification of another action, substantially narrowed one remaining class action through pleading challenges and motion practice, and disposed of the final action on summary judgment.
    • Lead counsel for a health care service plan in a putative class action alleging “patient dumping” of severely mentally ill members. Before class certification, negotiated and administered a nonmonetary classwide settlement.
    • Appellate counsel representing a trade group in an amici curiae brief supporting an appeal in a high-profile federal case involving mental health guidelines.
  • Lead counsel representing a health care service plan in a high-profile investigation by the California attorney general into mental health parity practices.
  • Lead trial counsel defending a health care service plan in a putative class action alleging constitutional violations arising out of UIM recoupment practices. Prevailed at bench trial.
  • Lead counsel for a health care service plan in a putative class action alleging systematic underpayment of out-of-network claims over a ten-year period. Defeated class certification in full. Plaintiffs elected not to appeal.
  • Lead counsel for a health care service plan in a putative class action alleging systematic improper cancellation of health coverage. Defeated class certification in full. Plaintiffs elected not to appeal.
  • Lead counsel representing a national health care service plan in a high-profile putative nationwide class action alleging failure to review medical records as part of medical necessity determinations. Served a Rule 11 motion promptly after the case was filed. Within the 21-day safe harbor period and before the deadline to respond to the complaint, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the entire action.
  • Took over a putative class action filed against a health care service plan, after four years of litigation. Drafted a motion for judgment on the pleadings and, within four months, obtained complete dismissal.
  • Represented a health care service plan and health insurer in one of the first cases challenging conduct under the Affordable Care Act. Defeated class certification and drafted successful appellate papers.
  • Lead counsel representing a health care service plan in a putative class action alleging failure to give timely notice of premium increases. Prevailed on a precertification motion for summary judgment and defeated a subsequent motion for a new trial, leading to dismissal of the entire action.
  • Lead counsel for two out-of-state insurance companies in related putative nationwide class actions alleging failure to serve premium notices, as well as individual claims for breach of contract and bad faith. Drafted motions for summary judgment on all the individual claims, leading to voluntary dismissal. Negotiated a voucher-based settlement of the remaining class claims, valued at a small fraction of the companies’ potential liability.
  • Represented a health insurer in a putative class action alleging its recoupment practices violated unfair competition laws. Before the deadline to respond to the complaint, secured voluntary dismissal of the entire action.
  • Lead counsel for a health care service plan in a class action alleging violations of the California Reconstructive Surgery Act. Negotiated and administered a nonmonetary classwide settlement.
  • Lead counsel for several health care service plans and a health insurer in a series of seven ERISA and non-ERISA class actions relating to Class III spinal devices. Obtained partial summary judgment on a key issue of contract interpretation involving coverage of FDA-approved medical devices. Oversaw three ERISA class settlements and three nonclass settlements.
  • Represented a health insurer in an ERISA lawsuit alleging failure to pay for medically necessary spinal surgery. Less than one week after sending an email to the plaintiff detailing the grounds for a planned motion to dismiss, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the entire complaint.
  • Represented a health insurer in a lawsuit filed by an out-of-network emergency provider alleging underpayment of emergency treatment. Drafted a motion to dismiss. Rather than oppose it, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the entire action.
  • Lead appellate counsel representing trade groups in an amici curiae brief supporting a petition for rehearing en banc on an issue of first impression under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.
  • Member of the trial team defending a health care service plan in a high-profile administrative action brought by a regulator seeking the second-largest fine in agency history. Settled on the eve of trial.
  • Represented a health care service plan in a lawsuit and related regulatory action involving coverage of brand and generic prescription drugs.
  • Speaker, “A New Era of MHPAEA Enforcement: Litigation Risks and Compliance Considerations for MCOs,” ACI (American Conference Institute)’s 15th Annual Advanced Forum on Managed Care Disputes and Litigation, The Metropolitan, Chicago, IL, May 2-3, 2024.
  • Speaker, “Mental Health Parity Update 2024: The Latest Regulatory and Litigation Trends,” Manatt Health Webinar, March 26, 2024.
  • Speaker, “Navigating the Mainstreaming of Psychedelic Drugs in the United States,” Manatt Health Webinar, October 3, 2023.
  • Speaker, “Mental Health Parity Update: Key Takeaways From the Newest Regulatory Guidance and Litigation Trends,” Manatt Health Webinar, September 19, 2023.
  • Speaker, “A Guide to Mental Health Parity: The Latest Litigation, Regulatory and Legislative Actions,” Manatt Health Webinar, October 27, 2022.
  • Speaker, “Behavioral Health and Minors: Ethical and Legal Considerations at the Intersection of Privacy and Consent,” Annual Meeting and Spring Seminar, California Society for Healthcare Attorneys (CSHA), Napa Valley, CA, April 2, 2022.
  • Speaker, “The Continuing Evolution of Mental Health Parity Law: SB 855, 2021
  • MHPAEA Amendments, and Beyond,” California Society for Healthcare Attorneys (CSHA) Webinar, August 25, 2021.
  • Speaker, “Mental Health Parity and Implementation of SB 855 in California,” California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) Webinar, April 7, 2021.
  • Speaker, “Healthcare Litigation Trends to Watch in 2020 … and Beyond,” Manatt Health Webinar, April 30, 2020.
  • Speaker, “Behavioral Health and Minors: Ethics and Legal Considerations at the Intersection of Privacy and Consent,” California Society for Healthcare Attorneys 2020 Annual Meeting and Spring Seminar, April 24, 2020. *Event postponed due to COVID
  • Speaker, “Understanding Mental Health Parity: Regulatory, Policy and Litigation Trends,” Manatt Health Webinar, September 17, 2019.
  • Speaker, “What Do Recent Class Action Changes Mean for Healthcare?” Manatt Health Webinar, April 12, 2019.
  • Speaker, “What’s Next for Health Reform and Its Likely Impact on the Litigation Landscape?” Manatt MCLE Presentation, San Francisco, CA, April 20, 2017.
  • Panelist, “Health Care Litigation Update,” California Society for Healthcare Attorneys (CSHA) Spring Seminar, April 12, 2014.

Nathaniel A. Cohen

Senior Associate

Nat is an experienced litigator focused on healthcare industry disputes. He has represented a range of entities, most often including managed care organizations and health insurers, in complex litigation in federal and state courts. He also represents clients in investigations, counsels clients before litigation arises, and advises clients on other health law matters. In particular, Nat has a wealth of experience in class action defense, ERISA litigation, and a variety of bad faith disputes.

Nat previously served in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the General Counsel in Washington, D.C., and as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the civil division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. At HHS, he focused on administrative law and federal information privacy and transparency matters for stakeholders across the department.

Education
  • The George Washington University Law School, J.D., with honors, 2012
  • University of California, Santa Cruz, B.A., Philosophy
  • Admitted to practice in California
  • Admitted to practice in Maryland
  • Admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and all U.S. District Courts in California
  • Member, American Health Law Association
  • Member, California Society for Healthcare Attorneys
  • Member, American Bar Association Health Law Section

Thomas R.Worger

Senior Associate

Tom’s practice focuses on complex healthcare litigation in both state and federal court. Before joining Hernandez Laska LLP, Tom worked at a global law firm with an international litigation practice. Throughout his career, Tom has worked with clients across the insurance industry, including in health insurance, and has successfully handled matters from the pleading stage through trials and appeals.
Education
  • University of California, Irvine School of Law, J.D., 2015
  • Columbia University, M.A., East Asian Languages and Cultures, 2010
  • University of California, San Diego, B.A., History, 2007
  • Admitted to practice in California
  • Admitted to practice in Massachusetts
  • Admitted to practice in New York
  • Admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and all U.S. District Courts in California
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Voted a Northern California “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers magazine, 2023–2025
Copyright © 2025 Hernandez Laska LLP
Skip to content