In the 30 years Ms. Hoffman has practiced criminal defense, she has obtained the highest professional ratings. In addition to being listed in Best Lawyers in America each year since 2001, she was identified by her peers as one of Oregon's top 50 "Super Lawyers." She is a member of the International Society of Barristers and was awarded an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale–Hubbell (top rating in skill and ethics by her peers). Ms. Hoffman has established significant legal precedent in both state and federal courts.

Ms. Hoffman received her JD in 1977 and worked as a public defender until 1981, when she entered private practice. She has dedicated her career to providing the highest quality defense to all of her clients, while at the same time raising the standard of practice by way of creative defenses, aggressive motion practice, teaching and writing.

She is currently a member of the House of Delegates of the Oregon State Bar and the Gus J. Solomon Inn of Court, and in the past served on the Board of Governors of the Oregon State Bar and the Board of the Multnomah Bar Association. Ms. Hoffman has also served on the Uniform Trial Court Rules Committee and the ACLU Lawyers' Committee (Northern District).

Ms. Hoffman is a frequent speaker, both locally and nationally, on topics related to voir dire, jury selection, use of demonstrative evidence, cross-examination, trial techniques, expert witness testimony, presentation of defense theories, and the Oregon Evidence Code.

She received her BA from the University of Redlands in 1973 and her JD from Boston College Law School in 1977.