Alan J. Hoffman

Biography

CHAIR EMERITUS

LEADERSHIP

Alan Hoffman serves as chair emeritus and past chair and managing partner of Blank Rome LLP. In his current role, he focuses on several strategic initiatives, including the firm’s growth plan for its expanding platform, the development and implementation of the firm’s strategic plan, lateral recruiting and integration efforts, mentoring and coaching, and maintaining and promoting the firm’s culture.

Alan served as chair from 2014 to 2022, managing partner from 2011 to 2018, co-chair from 2008 to 2013, and litigation department head from 1996 to 2008.

In recognition of his achievements and contributions as a business and civic leader, Alan has received the following designations:

  • 2018 “Influencer of Law: Lifetime Achievement” – The Philadelphia Inquirer
  • 2018 “Lifetime Achievement Winner” – The Legal Intelligencer
  • 2018 “Judge Learned Hand Award” – American Jewish Committee Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey
  • 2017 “Distinguished Leader” – The Legal Intelligencer
  • 2016 “Most Admired CEO” – Philadelphia Business Journal
  • 2015 “Power 76” recipient Philadelphia Business Journal

Under his leadership, Blank Rome has achieved numerous recognitions. Highlights include:

  • 2017 “Pennsylvania Powerhouse” – Law360
  • 2017 “Global 100” – The American Lawyer – Blank Rome “achieved the highest growth in revenue among the entire Global 100, with its top line soaring 22.5 percent, to $422.5 million.”
  • 2017 “Best Law Firm for Women” – Working Mother magazine
  • 2017 “Am Law 100” – The American Lawyer – Ranked 78th, rising 16 places from 2016.
  • 2018, 2017, 2016 – “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” – Blank Rome received a perfect score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.
  • 2016 – “Human Rights First’s Marvin Frankel Award” – Blank Rome recognized for outstanding dedication to pro bono service.

Alan is also frequently invited to speak on issues concerning the business of law in today’s marketplace. He was selected to participate in The National Symposium on Diversity in the Legal Profession, presented by the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Office of Diversity, where he served as a panelist for the plenary session, “A Vision for Collaboration,” which addressed the current state of diversity in the legal profession and the importance of collaboration to advance diversity and inclusion.

PRACTICE

In his practice, Alan handles complex corporate and criminal litigation. He has extensive trial and appellate experience in both the federal and state courts. Alan has particular experience representing both corporations and individuals in:

  • Commercial disputes
  • Government contract litigation
  • Product liability litigation
  • Civil and criminal environmental matters
  • Securities cases
  • Intellectual property
  • Banking cases

Alan also serves as national lead trial counsel in the defense of over 150 environmental pollution and product liability cases on behalf of a multinational chemical company.

In addition to his trial experience, Alan devotes significant time to preventive counseling on behalf of clients, presents seminars to corporate managers on current developments in the law, and conducts corporate internal investigations. Alan has recently been involved in numerous alternative dispute resolution and mediation cases, assisting clients to avoid high litigation expenses.

Alan began his career as a federal prosecutor with the United States Department of Justice, having been recruited to serve as part of the Attorney General’s Honors Program. He served as a Supervising Assistant United States Attorney and, as a result of his trial achievements, he received the prestigious Attorney General’s Special Commendation Award.

Alan has written extensively on product liability and class action litigation and served as co-author for two journals on audit committees. He is a lecturer at the CPA Club for Continuing Professional Experience, where he speaks on developments in the law as it impacts certified public accountants and other accounting professionals.

Experience

  • A multinational chemical company, as national lead trial counsel in the defense of over 150 environmental pollution and product liability cases in multidistrict litigation involving water contamination in cities within 17 U.S. states; to date, the company’s share of settlements has been less than one-half of one percent.
  • A large national mortgage company, in a breach of contract and RICO action where damages were sought for $26 million. The seven-day trial resulted in a verdict for the mortgage company and success on its cross-claim; the case was settled.
  • A large national bank, defended in a breach of contract action involving the sale of 12 bank branches following a Department of Justice-mandated divestiture of bank branches. Damages were sought against the client in the amount of $416 million; obtained a summary judgment and won in a counterclaim, resulting in an award and recovery by the client.

News & Views

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Recognitions

  • AV Preeminent®, listed by Martindale-Hubbell®
  • 2015–2024, Commercial Litigation, Philadelphia, listed in Best Lawyers in America©
  • 2019–2020, “Top 500 Leading Lawyers in America,” listed in Lawdragon
  • 2004, 2006–2008, 2010–2023, Pennsylvania “Super Lawyer” in Business Litigation, listed in Super Lawyers
  • 2018, “Influencer of Law: Lifetime Achievement,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer
  • 2018, “Lifetime Achievement Winner,” by The Legal Intelligencer
  • 2018, “Judge Learned Hand Award,” by the American Jewish Committee Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey
  • 2017, “Distinguished Leader,” listed in The Legal Intelligencer
  • 2016, “Most Admired CEO,” listed in the Philadelphia Business Journal
  • 2015, “Power 76,” listed in the Philadelphia Business Journal

Affiliations

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Philadelphia Bar Association
  • American Inns of Court
  • Bar Association of the District of Columbia
  • Delaware Bar Association
  • Delaware Trial Lawyers Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association
Professional Activities

An active leader in the community, Alan is committed to a number of organizations, including:

  • Corporate executive board member of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • Member of The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation
  • Governance chair and board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
  • Member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
  • Board member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Anti-Defamation League
  • Finance committee member of Select Greater Philadelphia
  • Member of the Philadelphia City Hall Dilworth Plaza Steering Committee
  • Member of the Board of Trustees for the National Museum of American Jewish History
  • Founding member of the J. Willard O’Brien Villanova Law School Inn of Court (previously served as president)
  • Former member of the Transition Committee for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett
  • Former event chairman for the American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Credentials

Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia

Education

  • Temple University, BBA
  • Villanova University School of Law, JD