Philip G. Bernal

Phil Bernal was born in Eagle Pass, Texas and speaks Spanish fluently. Phil graduated from Southside High School here in San Antonio, Texas. Phil has been practicing personal injury trial law for over 30 years in South Texas and the Hill Country. Phil graduated from St. Mary’s School of Law here in San Antonio, Texas. Phil has been Board Certified In Personal Injury Trial Law by The Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1998. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Phil practiced respiratory therapy where Phil treated and rehabilitated patients with pulmonary diseases and oversaw patients on short term and long term ventilators in the surgical intensive care unit, coronary intensive care units and medical intensive care unit. Over the past 30 years, Phil has secured numerous settlements and jury verdicts in medical malpractice, commercial vehicle, auto accidents, premises and products liability, and police civil rights cases. Notably, he achieved a $37.8 million verdict in 2016—ranked 51st nationally and 6th in Texas (2016–2018)—against a commercial driver and company. In 2024, he won a $9.2 million federal verdict in San Antonio against two police officers for excessive force, marking the first such verdict in the Western District of Texas since 1989. Phil has been consistently recognized by his peers by being selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Phil has also been nominated and been designated a SuperLawyer 2013, 2014 and 2016. In his spare time, Phil is an avid endurance athlete and triathlete. Phil has completed 2 full Ironman Triathlons, 10 half Ironman triathlons, 9 marathons, and over 80 half marathons with multiple century cycle rides. Phil also enjoys ranching and horseback riding. Phil shares his life with the love of his life Michelle, his daughter Nicole and granddaughter Sabrina.