Hoff Selected as Judge of the Year

Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Michael R. Hoff will be honored tonight as the San Fernando Valley Bar Assn.’s Judge of the Year.

Hoff, who was in charge of all criminal cases at Van Nuys Superior Court until his two-year term ended in December, was honored for his work on the unification of Van Nuys Municipal Court and Superior Court last year, said Elizabeth Post, executive director of the bar association.

Hoff also oversaw the transfer of all of the Van Nuys criminal courts into the west wing of the Superior Court and began a new case management system to improve court efficiency, she said.

Post also said those who nominated Hoff felt he was “a judge who has exceptional judicial etiquette and judicial presence, as well as someone who is very supportive of the bar and the community.” Hoff has been a director for the Valley Community Legal Foundation for six years, she said.

Hoff grew up in the San Fernando Valley and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. He received his associate’s degree from Valley College and his law degree from LaSalle Extension University in Chicago.

Hoff joined the Los Angeles Police Department as a patrol officer in 1961 and retired 20 years later as a captain and area commander for the North Hollywood station.

Hoff, who also practiced personal injury litigation, was appointed to the bench by Gov. George Deukmejian in 1989.

The award dinner, which celebrates the 75th anniversary of the bar association, will be held at the Woodland Hills Hilton Hotel.