Stephen Hoffman

Partner

Stephen.Hoffman@lewisbrisbois.com

Stephen Hoffman is a partner in the Phoenix office of Lewis Brisbois and is a member of the Complex Business & Commercial Litigation, Products Liability, Cannabis, Hemp & Regulated Substances, and Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation Practices. He practices in the state and federal courts of Arizona and New Mexico and has tried 30 cases.

A seasoned litigator with more than 30 years’ experience, Mr. Hoffman has extensive trial, arbitration, and litigation experience defending corporations, directors, officers, and licensed professionals against claims of negligent and intentional wrongdoing. Mr. Hoffman also represents insurance agents, attorneys, property appraisers and inspectors, design professionals, and charter schools in professional liability claims.

Mr. Hoffman’s multifaceted practice includes representing clients in matters pertaining to complex commercial disputes, product liability cases, commercial tort and Lanham Act claims, claims against licensed professionals, commercial landlord-tenant law, construction defect, premises liability, liquor liability, and wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims.

Mr. Hoffman is an American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) certified trial attorney.

Primary Area(s) of Practice

  • Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation
  • Complex Business & Commercial Litigation
  • Products Liability
  • National Trial Practice
  • Cannabis, Hemp & Regulated Substances

Additional Experience

Admissions

Arizona

New Mexico

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

United States District Court for the District of Arizona

United States District Court for the District of New Mexico

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Associations

  • American Board of Trial Advocates, (ABOTA)

Awards & Honors

Listed in Best Lawyers in America® 2023-2024, 2026 — Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

Education

University of San Diego School of Law

Juris Doctor, 1991

Grand Canyon University

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1987

Representative Matters

  • Secured a defense verdict on behalf of a funeral home and several of its employees following a six-day jury trial in the Second Judicial District in Bernalillo County in a sensitive matter involving alleged emotional injuries to the decedent's family. The plaintiffs’ final pre-trial demand was in the six-figure range. After deliberating for three hours, the jury returned a defense verdict on all causes of action alleged against the defendants.

  • Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a client in a breach of contract matter before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. The plaintiff alleged the defendant terminated certain accounts and engaged in business practices that drove his customers away, and sought compensatory damages of $1.25 million, plus punitive damages. After presenting evidence, the court returned a defense verdict, finding that the client did not breach the contract and did not engage in any bad faith practices.