Practice areas: Business Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution; view more
Licensed in Minnesota since: 1986
Education: University of Notre Dame Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2000 - 2026 Call today:
612-473-1240
Messerli | Kramer
50 South 6th StSuite 2300
Minneapolis, MN 55402 Visit website
Kevin D. Hofman is an attorney and the chair of the business litigation section at the firm Messerli | Kramer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He extends his service to the residents of Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area and represents cases related to business litigation, including:
- Shareholder claims and fiduciary duties
- Business disputes
- Banking and financial services
- Insurance coverage
- Securities and regulatory claims
With more than three and a half decades of experience, Mr. Hofman is skilled in representing and advising banks in matters involving conversion claims, Ponzi schemes and midnight deadline issues. He also frequently serves as an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Hofman also advises the firm as Ethics Counsel and General Counsel.
Admitted to practice in Minnesota, Mr. Hofman litigates cases for his clients in multiple federal and state courtrooms, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
An alumnus of Northwestern University, Mr. Hofman received his bachelor’s degree in political science and history in 1980. He graduated from Notre Dame Law School and earned his Juris Doctor in 1984.
Mr. Hofman is rated AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell for his high ethical standards and legal ability.
Known for his tireless dedication to serving his clients, Mr. Hofman brings his A game to the table to resolve issues in the most favorable way. He understands how intense litigation can be at times and works in a very efficient manner to save both his and his clients’ time.
A firm believer in giving back abundantly to society, Mr. Hofman serves as the director and secretary of Partnership Resources, Inc. and is a member of the Hennepin Healthcare Community Advisory Board.
Mr. Hofman is an active member in various professional and local organizations such as the Minnesota State Bar Association and the Hennepin County Bar Association and is currently the chair of the board at the Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Business Litigation, Alternative Dispute ResolutionFocus areas
Arbitration
- 80% Business Litigation
- 20% Alternative Dispute Resolution
First Admitted: 1985, Indiana
Professional Webpage: https://messerlikramer.com/professional/kevin-d-hofman/
Bar / Professional Activity
AAmerican Arbitration Association Arbitrator.
- Messerli Kramer Foundation Board Member 2018-2020
- Hennepin Healthcare Community Advisory Board Member 2019-2022.
Financial Regulatory Industry Authority Arbitrator
- Minnesota CLE Board Member.
- Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education Member 2014-2018
- Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education Chair 2018-2021
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Successfully defend individual against petition for harassment restraining order involving full day hearing. , 2024
- Represent and advise assisted living facility during Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Unit interview and invesatigation., 2025
- Represented national bank on forged check claim against depository bank. Case settled for 100% of claim after summary judgment motion served., 2025
- Represented two non-profit housing entities on subpoenas seeking broad information in landlord's case against city. Limited scope of subpoenas, and obtained payment for productions., 2024
- Represented gravel company on claims over lease for gravel pit. Obtained favorable settlement., 2023
- Represented interventional radiologist on wrongful termination claim. Obtained favorable verdict after three-day arbitration., 2023
- Represented business purchaser in note-enforcement action. Obtained favorable settlement., 2022
- Represented borrower in foreclosure of multi-million loan on health care facility shuttered during COVID. Attained favorable reduction of loan and refinancing., 2023
- Represented national bank on counterfeit check claim. Recovered amount of check., 2023
- Represented national bank on forged check claim. Recovered amount of the check., 2023
- Represented national bank on forged check claim. Obtained settlement for amount of check., 2022
- Represented national bank in Ponzi scheme avoidance action in bankruptcy court. Case settled favorably for client after summary judgment and other motions., 2022
- Represented lender against defaulting borrower. Obtained stipulated judgment for full $136,000 due., 2022
- Represented landlord on rent claim against tenant that abandoned leasehold. Negotiated favorable settlement., 2022
- Represented national bank on UCC Article 4 check warranty claim. Negotiated favorable settlement., 2022
- Represented bank on customer's unauthorized funds transfer claim under UCC Article 4A. Negotiated favorable settlement., 2022
- Represented company and individual on defamation claim against internet service provider. Negotiated settlement for clients., 2022
- Represented lender in action on promissory note. Obtained stipulated judgment for principal and interest due., 2022
- Represented software developer against copyright infringement claims. Negotiated settlement before suit initiated., 2022
- Successfully represented property management company in evicting hold-over tenant for non-payment of rent., 2022
- Assisted commercial landlords in disputes with tenants over rent payments during COVID-19 pandemic. Worked out deferred and abated rent, and extended lease agreements., 2020
- Represented national bank in dispute with courier service that lost over $4 million in checks belonging to bank's customers. Obtained favorable settlement for bank., 2021
- Obtained favorable buyout for oppressed member of Minnesota Limited Liability Company., 2021
- Assisted commercial tenant in disputes with its landlords over rent payments during COVID-19 pandemic. Worked out favorable rent deferral and abatement, and lease extensions., 2020
- Represented defrauded policy holder against insurance company where agent sold policy holder multiple policies for millions of dollars in coverage. Obtained favorable settlement for policy holder., 2020
- Represented bank on avoidance claims brought by bankruptcy trustee under the Minnesota Fraudulent Transfer Act. Obtained partial summary judgment on over $1 million in claims, and avoided summary judgment against bank on $1.2 million in claims., 2020
- Represented manufacturer on breach of warranty claims against supplier. Case settled favorably for client., 2020
- Represented payroll services provider on breach of contract claim against customer and guarantor. Case settled for full amount due., 2020
- Represented plaintiff national bank on $800,000 missing endorsement claim. Case settled for 95% of claim., 2019
Represented national bank client on mid-six figure midnight deadline claim. Client recovered all its damages at mediation.
, 2017Represented plaintiff on defamation claim against former employer. Obtained $600,000 judgment after three and a half day jury trial. Before punitive damages phase of trial, case settled for $850,000.
, 2016
Pro bono / Community Service
- Board Member Messerli Kramer Foundation 2018-2020
- Board Member The End in Mind Project (2024 to present). Chair Development Committee (2024 to present).
- Board Member Hennepin Healthcare Community Advisory Board 2019-2022
- Board member Partnership Resources, Inc. (2002 to present); Partnership Resources, inc. Board Vice President (2010 to present); Partnership Resources, Inc. Governance Committee (2010 to present); Assistant Scout Master, High Adventure Leader, Troop 103, Boy Scouts of America (2005 to 2009); Troop Committee, Troop 103, Boy Scouts of America (2002 to 2005).
Educational Background
- Northwestern University, B.A., 1976-1980
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Co-authored Chapter of Minnesota Contract Desk Book on contractual defenses under the doctrine of impossibility, the doctrine of frustration of purpose, and the doctrine of impracticability., Co-Author, Impossibility and Frustration of Performance, Minnesota CLE, Minnesota Contracts Desk Book (2021), 2021
- 2025. Authored update to Chapter of Minnesota Contract Desk Book on contractual defenses under the doctrine of impossibility, the doctrine of frustration of purpose, and the doctrine of impracticability., Author, Impossibility and Frustration of Purpose, Minnesota CLE, Minnesota Contracts Desk Book
- 2022-2024. Co-authored update to Chapter of Minnesota Contract Desk Book on contractual defenses under the doctrine of impossibility, the doctrine of frustration of purpose, and the doctrine of impracticability., Co-Author, Impossibility and Frustration of Performance, Minnesota CLE, Minnesota Contracts Desk Book
Industry Groups
- Banking
- Financial Services
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Tough, smart, efficient.”
“Kevin is a brillian, skilled and dogged advocate.”
“Kevin is an excellent litigator.”
“Kevin is an excellent business litigation and trial attorney.”
“A truly super lawyer.”
Office location for Kevin D. Hofman
50 South 6th St
Suite 2300
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: 612-473-1240
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2000 - 2026
