Paul Gordon Hoffman

Paul Gordon Hoffman: Leading Estate Planning and Tax Law Attorney in Los Angeles

Paul Gordon Hoffman is a highly respected and experienced attorney specializing in tax law, estate planning, trust administration, and probate, with a particular focus on serving individuals and families in the entertainment industry. As a founding member of his firm, Mr. Hoffman has consistently been recognized for his expertise and dedication, earning numerous accolades including being named the 2010 “Top Tax Lawyer” by Best Lawyers and recognition as one of the “Top 100 Lawyers” in Southern California by Super Lawyers twice. His deep knowledge of complex legal issues, combined with a commitment to providing personalized and strategic counsel, makes him a trusted legal partner for clients navigating the intricacies of wealth transfer, estate administration, and tax planning.

Mr. Hoffman's career is built on a foundation of rigorous academic training and extensive practical experience. He has taught taxation at UCLA School of Law and taxation and gifts, wills, and trusts at the USC Law Center, demonstrating his commitment to educating future generations of legal professionals. His contributions extend beyond the classroom, having previously served as the Chairperson of the Tax Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association and as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. These distinctions underscore his elevated standing within the legal community and his mastery of specialized areas.

Key Achievements & Recognition: Mr. Hoffman’s expertise has been independently validated through multiple prestigious awards, including being selected as the 2014 and 2011 “Lawyer of the Year: Trusts and Estates” in Los Angeles, and his continued recognition within the “Recognized: Trusts and Estates” category by Best Attorney USA since 1993. This consistent recognition speaks volumes about his dedication to providing exceptional legal services and achieving favorable outcomes for his clients.

Areas of Expertise:Tax Law & Estate Planning: Mr. Hoffman offers comprehensive legal solutions in a range of critical areas, including:

• Tax Planning: Developing sophisticated tax strategies to minimize liabilities and maximize wealth preservation opportunities.
• Estate Planning: Creating tailored estate plans that align with individual goals, ensuring efficient asset transfer and minimizing estate taxes.
• Trust Administration & Probate: Managing trust assets, administering estates, and navigating the probate process with precision and efficiency.
• Charitable Planning: Designing charitable giving strategies to maximize philanthropic impact and achieve tax benefits.

Professional Affiliations & Contributions: Mr. Hoffman’s commitment to the legal profession extends beyond his private practice. He is an active member of numerous leading organizations, including the American Bar Association Tax Section, the AICPA Advanced Estate Planning Conference, and the USC Tax Institute. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the UCLA/CEB Estate Planning Institute, demonstrating his leadership role in shaping the future of estate planning education and practice. He is also a member of the Motion Picture and Television Tax Institute and actively participates in the planning committee of the USC Trust and Estate Conference (formerly known as the USC Probate and Trust Conference). His extensive speaking engagements and published articles demonstrate his ongoing commitment to staying at the forefront of legal developments in these fields.

Published Works: Mr. Hoffman’s expertise is further evidenced by his published articles, which demonstrate his in-depth knowledge of complex legal concepts:

• “Limits on Retroactive Decision Making by the Internal Revenue Service: Redefining Abuse of Discretion Under Section 7805 (b),” 23 UCLA Law Review 529
• “Should You Make Gifts Before Year-End? The Effect of the Tax Reform Act of 1976,” 52 Los Angeles Bar Journal 226
• “Salary – Continuation Plans Can Be Estate Tax Free But May Run Into Gift Tax Problems,” 9 Taxation For Lawyers 376
• “Planning An Estate in Light of Recent Changes in Tax and Copyright Laws,” 5 Estate Planning 90
• “Estate Planning for Individuals in the Entertainment Industry,” Southern California Tax Institute 875, 1979
• “Income Taxation of Estates and Trusts,” CEB, 1980; “Estate Planning for Clients with Special Assets,” Estate Planning, 1980
• “The Marital Deduction: Beyond the Basics,” 35 Major Tax Planning, 1983
• “Estate Planning – A Client Based Approach,” 39 Major Tax Planning, 1987
• “Estate Planning for Qualified Plan Benefits After 1986, ” Estate Planning 1987
• “Retirement Plans & QTIPS,” CEB, 1995
• ”New Developments: Grantor Trust,” NYU, 1995
• “Federal and California Individual Income Tax Developments,” USC Law School Tax Institute, 1996 # 1300
• “International Estate Planning,” Matthew Bender, 1992

Software & Technology: Mr. Hoffman’s innovation extends beyond traditional legal practice. He was a co-designer of the best-selling Brentmark Pension & Excise Tax Planner, a testament to his forward-thinking approach and commitment to leveraging technology to serve his clients effectively.

Education & Credentials:

• Bar Admissions: Admitted to the Bar of the State of California
• Legal Education: UCLA School of Law (Taxation), USC Law Center (Taxation and Gifts, Wills & Trusts)
• Awards: Lawyer of the Year: Trusts and Estates, Los Angeles (2014), Lawyer of the Year: Tax Law, Los Angeles (2011), Recognized: Trusts and Estates (Best Attorney USA, ongoing since 1993)

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