Atty. Paul Gordon Hoffman

Atty. Paul Gordon Hoffman

Paul Gordon Hoffman is a founding member of the Firm. He practices in the areas of tax, estate planning, trust administration and probate, and charitable planning.

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Profile Summary

About Paul Gordon Hoffman at a glance

Paul Gordon Hoffman is a trusts and tax attorney based in Los Angeles, California, practicing at Withers. Admitted to practice in California, The State Bar of California. Educated at University of California - Los Angeles (J.D., 1976) and University of California Berkeley (M.B.A., 1973). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026). Serands clients in Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Paul Gordon Hoffman is a founding member of the Firm
  • He practices in the areas of tax, estate planning, trust administration and probate, and charitable planning
  • Mr. Hoffman was chosen by Best Lawyers as the 2010 “Top Tax Lawyer” in the metropolitan Los Angeles area
  • He also has twice been recognized as one of the “Top 100 Lawyers” in Southern California by “Super Lawyers.” He is a former Chairperson of the Tax Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association, a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and has taught taxation at UCLA School of Law, and taxation and gifts, wills and trusts at the USC Law Center
  • Among the many organizations to which Mr. Hoffman has spoken are the American Bar Association Tax Section, AICPA Advanced Estate Planning Conference, USC Tax Institute, UCLA/CEB Estate Planning Institute, USC Probate and Trust Conference, Practicing Law Institute, California Continuing Education of the Bar and the NYU Tax Institute
  • He is the Co-Chair of the UCLA/CEB Estate Planning Institute
  • He is a member of the Motion Picture and Television Tax Institute and is on the planning committee of the USC Trust and Estate Conference (formerly known as the USC Probate and Trust Conference)
  • Mr. Hoffman has published the following articles: Author: “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 Co-Author: “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 Contributing Author: “International Estate Planning,” Matthew Bender, 1992 Co-Designer of a best selling software program: “Brentmark Pension & Excise Tax Planner”

Practice Areas Explained

Paul Gordon Hoffman's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Paul Gordon Hoffman handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Trusts

Paul Gordon Hoffman is one of 104,171 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in California →

Tax Law

Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.

Paul Gordon Hoffman is one of 85,302 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in California →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in California

Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Los Angeles are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Los Angeles or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Paul Gordon Hoffman

Where is Paul Gordon Hoffman's law office located?
Paul Gordon Hoffman's law practice is located in Los Angeles, California. The firm is Withers. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Paul Gordon Hoffman handle?
Paul Gordon Hoffman focuses on trusts, tax. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
Where did Paul Gordon Hoffman go to law school?
Paul Gordon Hoffman earned their education at (J.D., 1976); (M.B.A., 1973); (B.S., 1972).
How can I contact Paul Gordon Hoffman for a consultation?
You can contact Paul Gordon Hoffman directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Paul Gordon Hoffman received?
Paul Gordon Hoffman's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law; Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates; Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:; Best Lawyers in America — Art; Best Lawyers in America — Community Property.

Practice Areas

Education

J.D.
University of California - Los Angeles
- 1976
M.B.A.
University of California Berkeley
- 1973
B.S.
University of California Berkeley
- 1972

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Art
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Community Property
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Entertainment Industry
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Estate Planning
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Fiduciary Tax
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Gift Planning
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — International
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Nonprofit Organizations and Charitable Giving
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Probate
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Reductions in Force
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Succession Planning
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tax
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tax Planning
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Trusts and Estates (Los Angeles)
- 2014
Lawyer of the Year — Tax Law (Los Angeles)
- 2011

Bar Admissions

California, The State Bar of California

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