91成人导航

The career path of Eric Hoffman, 鈥�21, is an example of finding purpose in unexpected places. Initially dreaming of becoming a doctor, Hoffman鈥檚 journey took a sharp turn while he was pursuing his聽undergraduate聽degree at the University of Redlands.

鈥淚 wanted to be a doctor. But once I hit math and science, I knew it wasn鈥檛 the right path,鈥� Hoffman said.

After taking a class in聽Constitutional聽Law, he realized that聽the medical field聽wasn鈥檛 his calling. Instead, he was drawn to the problem-solving aspect of law, which he found just as fulfilling as he imagined a career聽as a doctor聽would be.

鈥淭he problem-solving part of law reminded me of what I liked about the medical field, and I realized that this was what I loved,鈥� Hoffman said.

While he loved the field of law, Hoffman decided courtroom litigation wasn鈥檛 for him. Instead, he followed his passion for politics, focusing on legislative work and advocacy. This led him to the 91成人导航 McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento in 2018. The school鈥檚 proximity to the California State Capitol and the chance to combine law with politics made McGeorge the perfect choice for Hoffman.

鈥淎t McGeorge, I knew I was in the right place,鈥� Hoffman said. 鈥淭he connections to the Capitol and the hands-on opportunities were exactly what I needed.鈥�

During law school, Hoffman pursued the Capital Lawyering Concentration and actively participated in the Legislative & Public Policy Clinic, gaining invaluable practical experience. Notably, one of the bills he contributed to in the clinic was signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021. SB 311, known as Ryan鈥檚 Law, became the first law of its kind in the nation, requiring health care facilities in California to offer terminally ill patients the option to use medical cannabis for pain relief instead of opiates.

From day one, Hoffman took full advantage of McGeorge鈥檚 location. He joined student organizations and participated in internships and externships that enabled him to work with legislative bodies. He even received a scholarship that sent him to Washington, D.C., for an internship on Capitol Hill.

鈥淚 loved Sacramento, but when I walked through Capitol Hill and saw the rotunda, I knew this was where I wanted to be,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when I started looking for firms with offices in聽both聽Sacramento and Washington, D.C.鈥�

During law school, Hoffman pursued the Capital Lawyering Concentration and actively participated in the Legislative & Public Policy Clinic, gaining invaluable practical experience. Notably, one of the bills he contributed to in the clinic was signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021. SB 311, known as Ryan鈥檚 Law, became the first law of its kind in the nation, requiring health care facilities in California to offer terminally ill patients the option to use medical cannabis for pain relief instead of opiates.

Today, Hoffman serves as legislative counsel for a senior California Democrat, managing their tax portfolio. His days are split between busy legislative sessions 鈥� where he helps draft bills, prepares amendments, and assists in committee hearings 鈥� and quieter off-session times spent planning for future legislative work.

鈥淚f you're considering a career in politics, Sacramento is the place to see immediate results, especially if you鈥檙e a Democrat. There鈥檚 a good chance you鈥檒l see your bill passed,鈥� Hoffman said. 鈥淭he pace is fast, but the work is incredibly rewarding.鈥�

Hoffman鈥檚 strategic thinking and ability to navigate complex legal and political landscapes have made him a valuable capital lawyer. While he didn鈥檛 become a doctor, his work in law and politics allowed him to make a real impact on people鈥檚 lives, fulfilling his desire to help others.

Looking back, Hoffman encourages aspiring lawyers to have confidence.

鈥淜now that you deserve to be in any room, whether you鈥檙e standing next to a Yale or Harvard grad,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat confidence was instilled in me at McGeorge from my professors, and it鈥檚 something you鈥檒l learn there too.鈥�

As his career continues, Hoffman is excited about expanding聽his own impact and always trying to recruit more McGeorge graduates,聽because he knows聽for sure聽that the law school produces great lawyers. His dedication to public service ensures that his work will have a lasting impact on communities across California and beyond.