Phil Hernandez

Phil Hernandez is the Senior Vice President for Policy & Advocacy with The Commonwealth Institute. He works to maximize the impact of TCI’s policy analysis, advocacy, and legislative engagement.

Phil is committed to people-powered change and designing policy collaboratively with directly impacted communities. Phil has worked with partners on legislation to increase Virginia’s minimum wage, strengthen unemployment insurance, and repeal some of the most onerous court debt collection practices.

Previously, Phil was an attorney with the National Employment Law Project. Phil also worked in President Obama’s White House Domestic Policy Council. He serves on the board of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, REAL LIFE Richmond, and was appointed by the Governor to the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice.

Phil holds a J.D. from the Berkeley School of Law and a B.A. from William & Mary. He is an active member of the Virginia State Bar.