John Scott Hoff

John Scott Hoff, a founder and a partner of the Firm, Mr. Hoff possesses a background which uniquely qualifies him for his specialty in aviation law, insurance defense, and litigation.

While on active duty, Mr. Hoff attended graduate school at night while simultaneously pursuing and obtaining an MBA in Accounting and Finance from California State University at Fullerton in 1971.  Thereafter, he attended law school at Southwestern University in Los Angeles, graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 1975.  Mr. Hoff also studied law at Oxford University (Worcester College) in Oxford, England in 1973 through Berkeley.  He completed a second Masters Degree in Military History from the American Military University in 1995. Mr. Hoff is a graduate of the Air War College (AWC) 1995; Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) 1991; and Squadron Officer School (SOS) 1979.

After completing his legal studies and leaving active duty after 8 years in the USAF in 1975, Mr. Hoff began his legal career as a staff and trial attorney in the Headquarters of the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel, Litigation Division, in Washington, D.C. (1975-76).

Mr. Hoff entered private practice in late 1976 by joining the Chicago law firm of Lord, Bissell and Brook in Chicago, performing litigation in the aviation section of the firm.  Mr. Hoff specializes in Aviation Litigation and Insurance Defense. His practice brings together a unique blend of aviation, insurance defense, environmental and litigation.

In addition to Mr. Hoff’s aviation and legal credentials, he continues to serve as a Colonel in the Active Reserves of the USAF.  He was selected “Outstanding Reserve Officer” for the entire USAF in 1982 and again in 1993 for his Division and Command.  Further, he holds the credential of a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) since conferment in 1981, as well as a Certified Cost Estimator (CCE).  He is also a licensed Illinois Real Estate Broker (REB).

Mr. Hoff has authored numerous articles on aviation and military matters.  He was a featured speaker at the SMU Air Law Symposium and the Aviation Insurance Association.

He was the past President of the Aviation Insurance Association (AIA), and also serves as its past Vice President and Secretary, as well as Director of the Attorneys Section.  He is also President of the Great Lakes Chapter of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI).

He also is a member of a wide variety of legal and aviation organizations including the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA); Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association (LPBA); the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI); the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA); the Air Force Association (AFA); the Reserve Officer Association (ROA); the Air Force Museum Association (AFMA); and is a founder of the Aero Club of Chicago.

Mr. Hoff is admitted to practice law in the following states: Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, California, Michigan, New York, Minnesota and the District of Columbia, as well as numerous Federal Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mr. Hoff’s courtroom skill and litigation proficiency have resulted in numerous favorable verdicts, settlements and dismissals for his clients.

The Hoff Law Group represents clients in the areas of insurance defense and coverage, commercial civil litigation, including product liability, FAA Enforcement, transportation law, regulatory and administrative matters, corporate and commercial law, and international aviation liability matters.  The size of the Firm permits personal attention to each client and his or her individual requirements.  Accordingly, there is close personal involvement in the Firm which is not found in larger firms where clients are often handled as institutions.  Each member of the Firm aggressively pursues individual areas of emphasis and assignment, and endeavors to achieve personal excellence.

We have represented domestic and international clients involving a broad range of exposures in the liability defense areas of commercial and general aviation.  Our clients include Part 121 and 135 air carriers, airport operators (Part 139 and non-Part 139), control tower operators, including the Independent Contract Tower Operators under the FAA Contract Tower Program, fixed base operators, ground service organizations, skydiving operations, product manufacturers/distributors, “heavy lift” external load operators; liquid petroleum gas and pressure vessel liability matters; construction of surface and subterranean structures; and general transportation matters.

The Firm effectively utilizes strategy to reach the desired result for clients.  The Hoff Law Group features extensive in-house expertise in the areas of practice.  Thus, the Firm is not overly reliant on expert witnesses.  This independence gives the Firm’s attorneys the ability to build cases that protect the interest of our clients.  This technical proficiency gives the Firm the ability to pursue clients’ interests both technically and legally.

The Firm has litigated numerous insurance defense and subrogation cases in domestic and international losses involving wrongful death, personal injury, and property/casualty losses. The Firm also handles insurance coverage matters.  The majority of this litigation has involved complex multiparty matters and the use of expert witnesses for issues including: accident reconstruction, pilot conduct, design deficiencies, and air traffic control analysis.  For example, in the field of product liability, the Firm has handled cases pertaining to a broad array of aircraft and aerospace products, including but not limited to engines, tail rotor bearings, rotorcraft iolite bushings, elastomeric dampers, parachute Automatic Activation Devices (AAD), student harness container parachute systems, aircraft sealants, LOX/Paraffin hybrid rockets, flight control systems, aircraft wiring, aircraft deicing systems, fuel servos, crankshaft gear bolts, aftermarket turbine engine conversions, fuel control units, and autofeathering systems.

The Firm offers the essential ingredients of successful legal advocacy: technical competence in both the law and subject matter; extensive practical experience both in litigation and the subject matter; and initiative and enthusiasm for our practice.  At the Hoff LAw Group, we believe trust, confidence, and a close working relationship between our staff and clients is the cornerstone of a successful relationship.

Hoff Law Group