Paul L. Hoffman

Partner

Hermosa Beach, CA

Contact info:

(424) 297-0114

[email protected]

Email me

Biography:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Private Practice

Schonbrun DeSimone Seplow Harris & Hoffman, LLP Venice, California March 1994 - Present

In November 1999 I became a partner in Schonbrun DeSimone Seplow Harris & Hoffman, LLP. Prior to that, on March 1, 1994, I established my own law firm. On May 1, 1997, the firm became Bostwick & Hoffman, LLP. My practice has been in the areas of constitutional and civil rights litigation, including First Amendment, discrimination and privacy litigation, and general business litigation; including copyright and trademark litigation. I also specialize in civil and criminal appeals. In October 1998, I was named one of the 100 most influential attorneys in California by the Daily Journal and in February 1999 one of the top trial lawyers in Los Angeles County by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

ACLU

Legal Director, ACLU Foundation of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. September 1984 - February 1994

I directed the legal program of the ACLU in Southern California which included the supervision of ten staff attorneys and more than 100 volunteer attorneys with a docket of approximately 150-200 pending cases in every area of civil liberties and civil rights practice. In addition, I litigated a full docket of civil liberties/civil rights cases myself. I specialized in cases involving First Amendment rights, police misconduct, privacy, AIDS discrimination, international human rights, criminal justice and the death penalty.

Volunteer Attorney - ACLU Foundation of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. October 1976 - Present

In the period from 1976 to 1984 I litigated more than 20 civil rights/civil liberties cases in the following areas: First Amendment rights, criminal law and procedure, rights of persons with disabilities, race and sex discrimination, voting rights, police misconduct, freedom of information and privacy. I was lead counsel in Coalition Against Police Abuse v. Board of Police Commissioners (the "police spying" cases) and in Wilkinson v. FBI (a challenge to the FBI's COINTELPRO operation against the National Committee To Abolish HUAC). In 1984, I received the Clarence Darrow Award for outstanding First Amendment advocacy for my work in the police spying cases. After leaving the ACLU in 1994, I was named "of Counsel" to the ACLU Foundation and a member of the ACLU Foundation Board. I continue to litigate ACLU cases.

Private Law Practice

Associate Attorney (Litigation Department) Loeb and Loeb, Los Angeles, California August 1976 - August 1981

I participated in the preparation and trial of matters in the following areas: securities regulation, bankruptcy, contracts, business torts, real estate, copyright, defamation and constitutional law. I also handled a number of appeals. I often had primary responsibility for the cases I handled and on several complex cases I supervised several other attorneys and numerous paralegals. I was also a member of several firm committees, including the recruitment committee.

Teaching Experience Fulltime

Associate Professor, Southwestern University School of Law Los Angeles, California. August 1981 - July 1984

Courses: Criminal Law and Procedure, Federal Courts, Civil Rights Litigation Seminar, International Human Rights Law, Public International Law, Contracts. I was also the Co-Director (with Stanley Fleishman) of a clinical program on the rights of the disabled and elderly.

ADJUNCT TEACHING

Oxford University/George Washington School of Law June 1980 - Present
Stanford Law School
UCLA School of Law
USC Law School
Loyola Law School
Southwestern University School of Law

In all, I have taught more than 40 separate courses, including First Amendment, Civil Rights Litigation, Constitutional Law Seminars on Equality and Privacy, International Human Rights, International Criminal Justice, Police Abuse Litigation, Slander, Libel, and the First Amendment and AIDS and the Law.

REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVITIES

Amnesty International: Since August 1999 I have been a member of AI's 9 member International Executive Committee which oversees AI's operations throughout the world.
Amnesty International - USA: Chair of the Board (1997-99, 1988-89); Member, Executive Committee (1984-1989, 1992-94, 1997-99); Member of Board (1983-89, 1992-94, 1996-99); Chair, International Council Meeting (1991-97); Founder and National Coordinator, AIUSA Legal Support Network (1982-87); Chair of December 1998 International Summit of Human Rights Defenders (Paris, France). I have also undertaken several human rights missions, diplomatic missions (e.g. as a delegate to United Nations meetings) and trial observations for AI. I have served on numerous AIUSA committees and task forces and I have frequently represented AIUSA in the media.
Human Rights Watch: Member of California Committee; Member of Advisory Committee to Asia Watch; Research mission to Ethiopia (1994)
Article 19 (International Centre Against Censorship): Member of International Board (since 1999); Chair of 1995 International Conference on Freedom of Expression and National Security (Johannesburg, South Africa).
International League for Human Rights: Member of Board
Center For Human Rights and Constitutional Law: Member of Board
International Human Rights Law Group: Member of Domestic Advisory Committee

Practice Areas:

Civil and Criminal Appeals
Civil Rights Litigation
Constitutional
Copyright
Discrimination
First Amendment
General Business Litigation
Privacy Litigation
Trademark Litigation

Past Positions:

ACLU Foundation of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, Legal Director, 1984 to 1994
Loeb and Loeb, Los Angeles, California, Associate Attorney (Litigation Department), 1976 to 1981
Stanley Fleishman, Co-Director

Education:

New York University School of Law, New York, New York
- J.D. - 1976
The London School of Economics and Political Science
- M.S. - 06/1973
- Major: Economics
The City College of the City University of New York
- B.A. - 06/1972
- Honors: Class Standing: Top 5%
- Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
- Honors: Magna Cum Laude Regent's Scholarship
- Major: International Relations

Classes/Seminars:

Associate Professor, Southwestern University School of Law, 1981 to 1984
Adjunct Teaching, Oxford University/George Washington School of Law, 1980
Adjunct Teaching, Stanford Law School
Adjunct Teaching, UCLA School of Law
Adjunct Teaching, USC Law School
Adjunct Teaching, Loyola Law School
Adjunct Teaching, Southwestern University School of Law

Professional Associations:

California Academy of Appellate Lawyers, Member, 2000
Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, Lawyer Representative, 1989 to 1992
The State Bar of California, Member, Committee on Private Bar Involvement in Pro Bono Work, 1988 to 1991
ABA Section on Individual Rights and Responsibilities, Program Coordinator, International Human Rights Committee, 1984 to 1988
The State Bar of California, Committee on Human Rights, 1983 to 1986
Los Angeles County Bar Association, Individual Rights and Responsibilities Law Section, Executive Committee, 1985 to 1987
Los Angeles County Bar Association, International Law Section, Executive Committee, 1982 to 1986
Los Angeles County Bar Association, Arbitrator (Legal Fee Disputes), 1980 to 1983
American Arbitration Association, Arbitrator, Commercial Panel, 1981 to 1985
Los Angeles County Bar Association, Vice-Chair, Arbitration Committee, 1982 to 1983
Los Angeles Municipal Court, Judge Pro Tem, 1983 to 1984
Amnesty International, Member
Amnesty International - USA, Chair of the Board
International League for Human Rights, Member of Board
Center For Human Rights and Constitutional Law, Member of Board
International Human Rights Law Group, Member, Domestic Advisory Committee

Honors:

Staff Member, Annual Survey of American Law, 1974-1975
Research Associate, International Law Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1975-1976
Law Clerk, Manhattan Legal Services (N.Y.U. Public Interest Clinic), 1974-1975
RFK Fellow, Office of Congressman Jonathan Bingham, Washington, D.C., 1974

Pro-Bono Activities:

Volunteer Attorney, ACLU Foundation of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, 1976

Published Works:

"Security and Liberty: National Security, Freedom of Expression and Access to Information,", (Co-Authored with Coliver, Fitzpatrick & Bowen), 1999
"International Human Rights Law and Police Reform," in Zero Tolerance: Quality of Life and the New Police Brutality in New York City", (Co-Author with Eds. A. McArdle and T. Erzen), NYU Press, 2001
"Using Immigration Law to Protect Human Rights: A Legislative Proposal,", ( Co-Author with William Aceves), 20 Mich. J. of Int'l L. 657, 1999
"Safeguarding Liberty: National Security, Freedom of Expression and Access to Information: United States of America,", (Co-Author with Kate Martin), Secrecy and Liberty, Supra
"The Gag Order in the O.J. Simpson Civil Action: Lessons to be Learned?,", 17 Loyola Ent. L.J. 333, 1997
"The 'Blank Stare Phenomenon': Proving Customary International Law in U.S. Courts,", 25 Ga. J. Int'l and Comp. Law 181, 1996
"Enforcing International Human Rights Law in the United States," in Human Rights: An Agenda for the Next Century", (Co-Author with Nadine Strossen), American Society of International Law, 1994
"Double Jeopardy Wars: The Case for a Civil Rights 'Exception,", 41 UCLA L. Rev. 649, 1994
"The Feds, Lies and Videotape: The Need for an Effective Federal Role in Controlling Police Abuse in Urban America", 66 So. Cal. L. Rev. 1453, 1993
"The Elimination of Torture: International and Domestic Developments" 9 International Lawyer 1351, (Co-Author with Linda Brackins), Fall, 1985
"Public Interest Lawyers: Three Success Stories,", Los Angeles Lawyer, December, 1984
Hannum, "Guide to International Human Rights Practice," and Meron, "Human Rights in International Law: Legal and Policy Issues," 18 International Lawyer 741, Summer, 1984
"The Police Spying Settlement: New Safeguards for Political Expression,", (Co-Author with Robert Newman), Los Angeles Lawyer, May, 1984
"The Application of International Human Rights Law in State Courts: A View from California," 18 The International Lawyer 59, Winter, 1984
"Trade Union Rights Under Article 11 of the European Convention of Human Rights," 5 Comparative Labor Law 149, 1982
"Assignment to Trial Department; Motions; Procedure in Chambers," in California Civil Procedure During Trial, (Co-Authored with Dale L. Gronemeier), C.E.B., 1982
"Environmental Law/The Clean Air Act Amendments," 1974/75 Annual Survey of American Law 641
"The Right of Self-Determination in Very Small Places," 8 N.Y.U. Journal of International Law and Politics 331, (Co-Authored with Professor Thomas M. Franck), 1976
"The United Nations and the Death Penalty," in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
United Nations and Amnesty International, (Co-Authored with Zazi Pope), AIUSA, Fall, 1988

Representative Cases:

Sandin v. Conner, 515 U.S. 472, 1995, United States Supreme Court
United States v. Alvarez-Machain, 504 U.S. 655, 1992, United States Supreme Court
Reno v. Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee, 119 S.Ct. 136, 1999, United States Supreme Court
Reno v. Flores, 507 U.S. 292, 1993, United States Supreme Court
San Francisco Arts & Athletics, Inc. v. U.S. Olympic Committee, 483 U.S. 522, 1987, United States Supreme Court
Board of Directors of Rotary Int'l v. Rotary Club of Duarte, 481 U.S. 537, 1987, United States Supreme Court
Crawford v. Board of Education, 458 U.S. 527, 1982, United States Supreme Court
United States v. Messer, 197 F. 3d. 330, 1999, 9th Cir.
Maktab Tarighe Oveyssi Shah Maghsoudi, Inc. v. Kianfar, 179 F.3d 1244, 1999, 9th Cir.
United States v. Phillips, 174 F.3d 1074, 1999, 9th Cir.
Martinez v. City of Los Angeles, 141 F.3d 1373, 1998, 9th Cir.
Alvarez-Machain v. United States, 107 F.3d 696, 1997, 9th Cir.
Hilao v. Estate of Marcos, 103 F.3d 789, 1996, 9th Cir.
Abebe-Jira v. Negewo, 72 F.3d 844, 1996, 11th Cir.
Standing Committee v. Yagman, 55 F.3d 1430, 1995, 9th Cir.
Siderman v. Republic of Argentina, 965 F.2d 699, 1992, 9th Cir.
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee v. Thornburgh, 970 F.2d 501, 1991, 9th Cir.
United States v. Aguilar, 871 F.2d 1436, 1989, 9th Cir.
Chalk v. United States District Court, 840 F.2d 701, 1988, 9th Cir.
Levine v. United States District Court, 775 F.2d 1054, 1985, 9th Cir.
Martin v. International Olympic Committee, 740 F.2d 670, 1984, 9th Cir.
Doe v. Unocal, 963 F.Supp. 880, 1997, C.D. Cal.
Johnson v. County of Los Angeles, 865 F. Supp. 1430, 1994, C.D. Cal.
Wilkinson v. United States, 774 F. Supp. 1360, 1991, N.D. Ga
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee v. Meese, 714 F. Supp 1060, 1989, C.D. Cal.
Rogan v. City of Los Angeles, 668 F. Supp 1384, 1987, C.D. Cal.
Thomas v. Atascadero Unified School District, 662 F. Supp 376, 1987, C.D. Cal.
Wilkinson v. FBI, 633 F. Supp 336, 1986, C.D. Cal.
Handel v. Artukovic, 601 F. Supp 1421, 1985, C.D. Cal.
Wilkinson v. FBI, 99 F.R.D. 148, 1983, C.D. Cal.
People v. Mitcham, 1 Cal. 4th 1027, 1992, California Supreme Court
People v. Brown, 100 Cal. Rptr 2d 211, 2000, California Court of Appeal
Del Rio v. Jetton, 55 Cal. App. 4th 30, 1997, California Court of Appeal
City of Huntington Park v. Superior Court, 34 Cal. App. 4th 1293, 1995, California Court of Appeal
McCarthy v. Fletcher, 207 Cal. App. 3d 130, 1989, California Court of Appeal
Ketchens v. Reiner, 194 Cal. App. 3d 470, 1987, California Court of Appeal
Rubin v. City of Los Angeles, 190 Cal. App. 3d 560, 1987, California Court of Appeal
Coalition Against Police Abuse v. Superior Court, 170 Cal. App. 3d 888, 1985, California Court of Appeal