Christian M. Hoffman

Partner - Boston

Bio photo for Christian Hoffman
Download Media Photo

Contact Information

617.832.1131

617.832.7000

choffman@foleyhoag.com Download vCard

Chris Hoffman’s litigation and trial practice focuses primarily on accounting, auditing and securities disputes and, secondarily, on contract and business tort litigation. He devotes a substantial part of his practice to the defense of professional liability claims against Big Four and regional accounting firms and their professionals in federal and state courts, in SEC and state investigations and in state accountancy board matters. Chris has also represented foreign Big Four member firms and partners of those firms in litigation brought in the United States and in SEC administrative proceedings. In addition, he advises clients on auditing and accounting claims avoidance and has engaged in the mediation of numerous securities law and professional liability disputes.

More »

Education:

  • Harvard Law School, J.D., 1969
  • Boston College, B.A., summa cum laude, 1966

Representative Experience

  • Representation of Big Four firm in suit brought by multi-generational family office arising out of COO’s defalcation and alleged conversion of investment opportunities.
  • Representation of healthcare products and services company in baseball style arbitration of closing balance sheet dispute with selling shareholders of genetics company.
  • Representation of Big Four accounting firm in MDL federal securities class action, In re Tyco International Ltd., and related SEC investigation, state investigation and derivative action.
  • Lead trial counsel for Big Four accounting firm in federal securities class action, In re Raytheon Securities Litigation; settled after commencement of trial.
  • Representation of international accounting firm in defense of suit brought by acquirer of ship line claiming misleading Canadian GAAP financials.
  • SEC investigation: Representation of manufacturing company in SEC investigation regarding revenue recognition issues; investigation closed without findings.
  • Representation of Big Four accounting firm in state action brought by bank syndicate providing revolving credit line to healthcare equipment company securitizing client debt obligations.
  • Representation of Big Four accounting firm in suit brought by selling shareholders of supermarket chain claiming losses from closing balance sheet arbitration that shareholders had lost to U.S. subsidiary of Danish supermarket holding company.
  • SEC investigation: Representation of international accounting firm partner in investigation concerning revenue recognition practices of software company.
  • Representation of Big Four accounting firm in federal securities class action, In Re: Stone & Webster, Inc. Securities Litigation.

Honors

  • Listed in Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2006-2011

Involvement

  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Boston Bar Association, Member
  • Federal Bar Association, Member
  • Massachusetts Bar Association, Member
  • Boston Bar Foundation, Fellow
Add to Bio Folder

Download Bio

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. Court of Appeals First Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims