Hoffer brings clarity to law in Eau Claire

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Douglas Hoffer’s pursuit of a legal career has always been a lifelong dream.

“I loved law-related movies and TV shows as a kid,” he said. “It was something that if my dream as a kid of playing in the NBA wasn’t going to happen — and I found out at a relatively young age that it wasn’t — practicing law was definitely what I wanted to do.”

Hoffer, a deputy city attorney for the city of Eau Claire, has been practicing law for less than a decade. Yet he has already managed to successfully argue three cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court: Voters with Facts v. City of Eau Claire; City of Eau Claire v. Booth; and the Village of Elm Grove v. Brefka.

One of those cases saw him helping to preserve municipalities’ right to use tax-incremental-finance districts.

“Successfully arguing the case to promote and continue to assist communities trying to promote economic development, that has a positive impact in job creation, the wealth members of the community can enjoy, lowering taxes,” he said. “Being able to see that kind of benefit to something I’m working on is pretty cool.”

He also has won more than 100 trials and has successfully argued a number of cases before the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Hoffer said his knowledge that he’s benefiting society is what makes all the hard work worthwhile.

“I enjoy both the intellectual rigor and the competition, and the ability to help people,” Hoffer said. “In my role the public-service component is the part that I find the most rewarding.”

Hoffer’s fellow attorney, Casey Hoff, has known Hoffer since law school. He said Hoffer is not only a strong advocate but also a compassionate person.

“He’s a professional. He treats people with fairness and dignity,” Hoff said. “He’s always trying to do the right thing.”

Hoff said Hoffer is practical and faithful to the law as he sees it. He’s someone who’s willing to concede an argument when he’s wrong, but always stands his ground when he knows he’s right.

“Prosecutors have special duties and one of them is to look at a case fairly,” Hoff said. “They’re not supposed to be just as advocates for the government. They’re supposed to look at cases with an open mind and sometimes both sides of the aisle don’t do that as we might like them to, but Doug tries really hard to take all of his duties seriously as a professional.”