News Release
Lara Hoffman Sworn In as Judge of the Santa Clara County Superior Court
SAN JOSÉ, California (October 2, 2026): The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, welcomed Judge Lara Hoffman to the bench following her oath of office ceremony on Friday, October 2, 2026.
Judge Hoffman brings extensive experience in public defense, legal education, and service in the federal courts. Before her appointment, she served as a Senior Staff Attorney and Lecturer in Law at Stanford Law School, positions she held since 2020. From 2012 to 2020, she served as a Deputy Federal Public Defender for the Central District of California.
Her earlier experience includes serving as a law clerk at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California from 2009 to 2012, clerking for the Honorable Christina Snyder and the Honorable William Keller. She also clerked for the Honorable Harry Pregerson at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2008 to 2009.
Judge Hoffman earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, graduating Order of the Coif. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Dartmouth College and dual Master of Arts degrees in political science and government administration from the University of Pennsylvania.
“We are pleased to welcome Judge Hoffman to the Santa Clara County Superior Court,” said Presiding Judge Julie A. Emede. “Her expertise in public defense, legal education, and the federal courts brings a valuable experience to our bench. We look forward to her contributions as we work to provide fair and equal access to justice for our community.”
Judge Hoffman fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Roberta S. Hayashi. The Court welcomes Judge Hoffman and looks forward to her service to the people of Santa Clara County.