Selena L. Hoffman

Selena Hoffman is a distinguished member of the PCVA post-trial and appellate team. She focuses on distilling complex legal issues and identifying compelling strategies to fight appeals when formidable entities challenge trial court decisions in favor of plaintiffs.

Selena’s entry into the legal profession is marked by her unwavering commitment to making a meaningful impact. After completing her undergraduate studies in anthropology and engaging in public interest work, she recognized the need for more honed skills to effect the changes she envisioned, which led her to pursue a legal education.

Selena briefly worked at a Boston corporate firm during law school but quickly discovered her true calling was elsewhere. Driven to use her skills for the greater good, she began a three-year clerkship in Seattle under the Honorable Stephen J. Dwyer at the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division I. Following this clerkship, Selena spent many years as an appellate attorney advocating on behalf of individuals pursuing the federal disability benefits to which they were entitled. She then returned to Division I as a senior law clerk for Judge Dwyer, where she continued to hone her appellate skills. Selena’s clerkship experience—a significant advantage in her appellate work today—resulted in a profound understanding of how individual judges approach legal issues and the inner workings of trial and appellate courts.

Selena’s decision to join PCVA was driven by her admiration for the firm’s collaborative mission to make a difference in the lives of people who have been harmed by the negligence of others. Her small-town upbringing and contrasting experiences at Harvard Law School reinforced her belief in advocating for the underdog and working for the underrepresented.

At PCVA, Selena focuses exclusively on plaintiff-side appellate work, where she excels at analyzing trial court proceedings to identify potential injustices and crafting strategies for rectification on appeal. Her work is characterized by rigorous research, precise writing, and a strategic vision to benefit clients and shape the law for the future.

Selena’s extensive experience reading trial transcripts and identifying appeal-worthy issues sets her apart. It makes her a valuable asset to the PCVA appellate team and its clients. Her analytical prowess and commitment to making a lasting impact on the development of the law through successful appeals ensure her clients receive exceptional representation.