David A. Hoffman

David A. Hoffman is a Lecturer at Harvard Law School, where he has taught courses on Mediation, Legal Profession: Collaborative Law, and Diversity and Dispute Resolution since 2008. He previously served as an Adjunct Professor at Northeastern University School of Law, focusing on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Negotiation. His professional roles include founding member and mediator/arbitrator at Boston Law Collaborative, LLC (BLC), and former litigation partner at Hill & Barlow. He holds degrees from Princeton University (A.B., 1970), Cornell University (M.A., 1974), and Harvard Law School (J.D., 1984, magna cum laude), where he clerked for Judge Stephen G. Breyer of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

His research interests span mediation ethics, negotiation strategies, diversity in legal practice, and the psychological dimensions of conflict resolution. Notable publications include Mediation: A Practice Guide for Mediators, Lawyers, and Other Professionals (2013) and co-authorship of Massachusetts Alternative Dispute Resolution (1994). He has received prestigious awards such as the ABA’s D’Alemberte-Raven Award and the American College of Civil Trial Mediators’ Lifetime Achievement Award.

Hoffman’s work emphasizes bridging divides through interdisciplinary collaboration, reflected in BLC’s multi-disciplinary approach combining legal, coaching, and ombudsman services. His recent scholarship addresses diversity in legal education and the role of empathy in dispute resolution. He actively trains mediators and advocates for inclusive ADR practices, including racial and gender equity in professional neutrals.