Herman D. Hofman

Litigation Attorney

Herman is a member of the Litigation and ADR Practice Team based in the firm’s Grand Rapids office. He has extensive experience litigating for and advising manufacturing, collection and health care companies in legal matters in both individual and class action contexts. Herman has also successfully handled appeals spanning a broad range of subject matters in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth and Seventh Circuits, the Michigan Supreme Court and the Michigan Court of Appeals.

For the past three years, Herman has been named by Best Lawyers^® as one of the “Ones to Watch,” a designation given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers in recognition of their outstanding professional excellence in private practice.

Before joining Varnum, Herman served as a law clerk for Chief Judge Robert Jonker of the District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

Experience

Obtained a 3-0 victory for a municipality in the Sixth Circuit in Reilly v. Ottawa County, Michigan, et al, Case No. 20-2220, (6th Cir. Sept. 2, 2021), affirming prior summary dismissal of federal constitutional and state tort claims.

Obtained a unanimous victory for a hip-hop artist in the Michigan Court of Appeals in Walker v. Maxwell, No. 345699, 2020 WL 815081 (Mich. Ct. App. Feb. 18, 2020), reversing a circuit court’s grant of judgment in the plaintiff’s favor.

Obtained a 3-0 victory for NRA Group in the Seventh Circuit in Bernal v. NRA Group, LLC, 930 F.3d 891 (7th Cir. 2019), affirming a judgment after trial against a class action and creating a circuit split on the issue of whether a collection letter permitting recovery of “any costs” authorizes the assessment of a fixed-percentage collection fee contingent on recovery of the subject debt.

Obtained a 3-0 victory for a municipality in the Sixth Circuit in Rayfield v. City of Grand Rapids, et al., 768 F. App’x 495 (6th Cir. 2019), affirming the prior summary dismissal of constitutional law claims.

Successfully obtained a judgment of non-dischargeability in favor of an insurance company after a trial.

Successfully obtained summary dismissal of claims in favor of sports equipment manufacturer in a contract dispute with a seller of sports equipment.

Successfully obtained summary dismissal of claims against former sales executive in a trade secret and contract dispute with a national chemicals company.

Served as lead associate for an industrial manufacturer in a multimillion-dollar “bet the company” trial. The parties eventually settled in a favorable outcome for the client, allowing the company to continue its operations unabated.

Obtained summary dismissal of constitutional claims against county treasurer in tax foreclosure case.

Obtained summary judgment of discrimination claims against an automotive company in an employment law case.

Served as lead associate for industrial manufacturer plaintiff in a successful trade secret and unfair competition case spanning four states.

Obtained summary dismissal of class action claims against collection agency in FDCPA case.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America^®, Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, since 2021; Appellate Practice, since 2024

National Religious Liberty Writing Competition, first place

Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition, quarterfinalist

Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship, quarterfinalist

Eve August Moot Court Scholarship Award

Professional Affiliations

Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Michigan: Bench Bar Committee; Young Lawyers Section

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

First Netherlands Reformed Church, Ministerial Management Committee, president

Plymouth Christian School, Legal Advisory Committee