Diana Alcala-Hernandez

Diana is bilingual and a proud native of California’s Central Coast, born and raised in Santa Maria. She serves as Chair of the Civil Litigation Department at Kirk & Simas, leading a team that represents individuals, businesses, and public entities across a broad spectrum of legal matters.

Diana’s practice focuses on employment defense, landlord-tenant disputes, and public entity representation, including cemetery districts and other special districts throughout California. She also handles select conservatorship and estate litigation matters, bringing a thoughtful and compassionate approach to these sensitive cases. Her balanced experience advocating for both plaintiffs and defendants provides her clients with strategic, effective counsel.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from California State University, Northridge, and her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida, a nationally recognized institution for Hispanic enrollment. During law school, Diana earned a pro bono commendation for completing over 100 hours of community service, served as President of the Elder Law Society, and clerked for Phi Alpha Delta, a professional law fraternity. Her legal training includes internships with the Department of Children and Families: Children’s Legal Services and the Probate Division of the Thomas E. Lawson Courthouse Center. She also worked as a research associate with the ACLU and volunteered as a Guardian Ad Litem.

Today, Diana remains deeply engaged in her community. She is an active member of the Rotary Club of Santa Maria Noon, the Women’s Network, and serves with VTC Enterprises—the largest employer on the Central Coast for adults with disabilities. She also maintains strong ties to the indigenous community through her family heritage, which continues to shape her perspective and advocacy.