Judge Hoffman was raised in a large, close-knit family with 13 brothers and sisters.

Judge Gayle Hoffman has always been deeply committed to family.  Raised in a large and close-knit family with 13 brothers and sisters, she learned early on to appreciate the joys and complexities of these relationships.  In 1980, she started a family of her own when she married her husband, Jim Parsons, with whom she has been proud to raise two adult daughters, Audrey and Claire.

This commitment to family inspired Judge Hoffman to pursue a career in the law.  After earning her Juris Doctor from Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law, she began practicing with her father, Robert C. Hoffman, at The Hoffman Firm in 1980.  For 29 years, she has practiced in the area of family law as an advocate for husbands, wives, parents, grandparents, and children.  Judge Hoffman is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and the United States Supreme Court.

Judge Hoffman has been admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court.

Education

  • Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University, received Juris Doctor degree in 1980. Member of Northern Kentucky Law Review 1977 to 1980, and served as Notes Editor.
  • Northern Kentucky University, BA in Journalism, 1976

Honors and Awards

  • Pro Bono Panel 2005 Member of the Year, received from Children’s Law Center
  • Roy Taylor Pro Bono Award, 1987, from Northern Kentucky Legal Aid
  • Served as Panel Chair for Northern Kentucky Bar Association Arbitration Programs, selected as such by The Supreme Court of Kentucky.

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Member, Kentucky Bar Association, since 1980
  • Pro Bono Attorney Panel Member – 1980 to present; represented indigent clients in divorce or family law cases
  • Member, American Bar Association, since 1987 and member of ABA Family Law Section

    • Judge Gayle Hoffman and husband Jim Parsons.

    Judge Hoffman with husband Jim Parsons.

  • Member, Northern Kentucky Bar Association, 29 years; Member and Chair of Family Law Section for three years
  • Member, Pro Bono Guardian Ad Litem Panel, Children’s Law Center, 2002-2006
  • Member, Association of Northern Kentucky Collaborative Professionals, 2000 to present; also served as Secretary of group for three years
  • Member, Women’s Crisis Center of Northern Kentucky, and served as Board Chair for two years.
  • Past Member, Board of Directors, Dioceses of Covington, Kentucky, Board of Education
  • Past Member, Newport Central Catholic High School, Board of Education
  • Past Member, Holy Spirit School, Board of Directors
  • Past Member, Erlanger City Council, 1988-1989
  • Member, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
  • Member, Better Business Bureau of Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Past Member, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, also serving as Hearing Officer or Administrative Law Judge
  • Certified Guardian Ad Litem by the Administrative Office of the Courts, March 7, 2007
  • Certified General and Family Law Mediator, by Kentucky Administrative Offices of the Courts
  • Member of the Board of Directors of Housing Authority of Newport,and served as Chair