Chris Hoffman's litigation and trial practice focuses primarily on accounting, auditing and securities disputes and, secondarily, on contract and business tort litigation. Chris devotes a substantial part of his practice to the defense of securities law and professional liability claims against Big Four and regional accounting firms and their professionals in federal and state courts and in SEC investigations. In addition to assisting corporate clients in the defense of securities claims and investigations, he also represents foreign Big Four member firms and partners of those firms in litigation brought in the United States and in administrative proceedings. His client representations in this area of defense have spanned over the past thirty years and include successful jury trial representation. He also advises clients on auditing and accounting claims avoidance and he has engaged in the mediation of numerous securities law and professional liability disputes. In general commercial litigation, Chris has tried, mediated and arbitrated numerous contract disputes, including a wide variety of delay/disruption and extra work claims both for and against heavy construction contractors, shipbuilders and commercial building contractors. He has also successfully tried and arbitrated software licensing disputes and unfair competition claims of misappropriation of proprietary technology and confidential customer information. Professional / Civic Involvement · American Bar Association, Member · Boston Bar Association, Member · Federal Bar Association, Member · Massachusetts Bar Association, Member · Boston Bar Foundation, Fellow Publications · Maintaining Client Confidences: Developments at the Supreme Judicial Court and First Circuit in 2009, Boston Bar Journal (Fall 2009) · Auditor Liability in Securities Litigation From a Defense Perspective, ALI-ABA Course of Study - Securities Litigation: Planning and Strategies (May 1-2, 2008) · Chris Hoffman and Matthew Baltay, Emerging Issues in Auditor Liability in Securities Litigation From a Defense Perspective, ALI-ABA Course of Study - Securities Litigation: Planning and Strategies -SM 086 (June 7-June 8, 2007) · Chris Hoffman and Lisa Wood, Understanding the Role of the Auditor in Defending Auditor Liability Cases, ALI-ABA Course of Study - Accountant's Liability - SM 076 (May 3-May 4, 2007) · Recent Developments in the Law of Accountants' Professional Liability, Massachusetts Business Litigation Conference 2003-MCLE 22004-25 (2003) and 2002- MCLE 22011-25 (2002) Honors/Awards Listed in Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2006-2011 |