Valerie J.Hoffman
Partner
Labor & Employment
vhoffman@seyfarth.com
Valerie brings future-focused and strategic insights to her work with employers on human capital management, including pay equity, affirmative action, diversity, and inclusion.
More About Valerie
As counsel to chief executives and management, Valerie advises employers of all varieties and sizes, including Fortune 100 technology, financial services, professional services, hospitality, and manufacturing companies. While Valerie has a broad-based employment law advice and counsel practice, she has a particular focus on strategies to prevent and resolve issues relating to employment discrimination, including pay equity and glass ceiling issues, OFCCP defense and affirmative action compliance, and advice about legally defensible diversity practices. She is a core leader of the firm’s Pay Equity Group and founded and is co-chair of the firm’s nationally prominent OFCCP, Affirmative Action, and Diversity practices.
In addition, Valerie co-founded and co-chairs Seyfarth’s People Analytics group. This forward-facing people analytics practice works with employers to design and implement metrics for tracking, assessment and achievement of workforce objectives including effective talent acquisition and management, workforce planning, leadership development, pay equity, diversity & inclusion, reductions in force, and other objectives where data can be leveraged to improve human capital management and work life.
Valerie also provides counsel and advice on diversity and inclusion best practices, metrics, progress management and change management. Employers across the country value her broad knowledge of legally defensible and practical solutions for achieving diversity and inclusion objectives. She has extensive experience counseling senior leaders about these issues and their intersection with employment discrimination law.
Valerie receives national media coverage of her observations about issues involving employment-related issues, including workplace metrics, employment discrimination, government compliance, glass ceiling issues, pay equity and diversity. She is a popular speaker and writer on these topics.
In addition, Valerie co-founded and co-chairs Seyfarth’s People Analytics group. This forward-facing people analytics practice works with employers to design and implement metrics for tracking, assessment and achievement of workforce objectives including effective talent acquisition and management, workforce planning, leadership development, pay equity, diversity & inclusion, reductions in force, and other objectives where data can be leveraged to improve human capital management and work life.
Valerie also provides counsel and advice on diversity and inclusion best practices, metrics, progress management and change management. Employers across the country value her broad knowledge of legally defensible and practical solutions for achieving diversity and inclusion objectives. She has extensive experience counseling senior leaders about these issues and their intersection with employment discrimination law.
Valerie receives national media coverage of her observations about issues involving employment-related issues, including workplace metrics, employment discrimination, government compliance, glass ceiling issues, pay equity and diversity. She is a popular speaker and writer on these topics.
- JD, Boston College Law School
- BA, Union College
Summa cum laude
Phi Beta Kappa - University of Edinburgh
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
Related Services
- Background Checking & Drug Testing
- Employment
- Employment Litigation
- OFCCP & Affirmative Action Compliance
- Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
- White Collar Defense & Investigations
- Pay Equity
- Reductions in Force & Business Restructuring
- Diversity & Inclusion Practice
- Agency Investigations & Audits
- People Analytics
- Impact & Sustainability
Related Key Industries
Related News & Insights
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
-
Recognition
Aug 18, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2023
-
Legal Update
Mar 17, 2022
Equal Pay Day 2022: Key Trends in Pay Equity
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employment Law - Management (2022-2025) and Litigation - Labor & Employment Law (2023-2025)
- Recognized in The Legal 500 for Labor & Employment - Workplace Employment Counseling (Legalese Ltd.) (2017-2018, 2021)
- Listed in Leading Lawyers for Employment Law - Management (Law Bulletin Media)
- Rated AV Pre-eminent by Martindale- Hubbell for the past 25 years
-
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, current vice chair on the executive committee
-
Los Padres Forest Association, vice president and executive board member
-
Union College, former trustee, board secretary, and executive committee member
-
Greater Los Angeles Industrial Liaison Group, board member
-
Navistar Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board, former board member
-
The Graduate College of Union University, former trustee and board secretary
-
AIDS Foundation of Chicago, former director and executive committee member
-
The National Conference for Community and Justice (former national advisor; Chicago region director; executive committee member)
-
The University Club of Chicago, former director
-
Remains Theatre (past president; vice president; board member)
- Co-Author, "Equal Pay Day 2022: Key Trends in Pay Equity," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 17, 2022)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Issues New Directive Aimed at Collecting the Results of Federal Contractor Pay Equity Analyses During Compliance Reviews," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 16, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Breaking News: New EEOC Pay Report Proposed For Employers in 2017," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 29, 2016)
- Co-Author, "California Gender Pay Equality Bill To Be Strictest In Nation?," California Peculiarities Employment Law Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 9, 2015)
- Author, "The Proposed Equal Pay Report: What You Need to Know," The OFCCP Digest, Local Job Network, Volume 4, Issue 10 (October, 2014)
- Co-Author, "OMB Approves 'New' Audit Scheduling Letter…Finally!" Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 10, 2014)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Proposes New Equal Pay Report," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 8, 2014)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Finalizes Disability Self-Identification Form; Seyfarth Offering Fixed Fee Compliance Packages," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 27, 2014)
- Co-Author, "DOL’s Latest July 2013 Release Date for Final Veterans, Disability Rules Is Doubtful," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 17, 2013)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Posts Date Federal Contractors Must Use New Census Data for Adverse Impact Programs," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 2013)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Wins Major Battle Over Coverage Of Some Health Care Providers," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 5, 2013)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP’s New Compensation Plan Provides Little Direction," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 27, 2013)
- Co-Author, "What The Presidential Election Means For Federal Contractors: Insight Into What’s Ahead For Affirmative Action," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 9, 2012)
- Co-Author, "Statisticians Caution EEOC on the Challenges of Collecting and Measuring Pay Equity Data," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 12, 2012)
- Co-author, "Federal Contractors and Subcontractors be on the Alert: Federal Government Takes a Step Towards Creating the Elusive List of Federal Subcontractors," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 24, 2012)
- "DOL Extends Filing Deadline for 2011 VETS-100/100A Reports; Financial Institutions Will No Longer Sell U.S. Savings Bonds in 2012 & May No Longer Be Federal Contractors," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 12, 2011)
- "OFCCP Publishes Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Compensation Data Collection Tool," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 11, 2011)
- "OFCCP Releases Spring 2011 Semi-Annual Regulatory Agenda," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 28, 2011)
- "DOL Announces OFCCP Priority of Seeking Class Relief for Equal Pay and Other Violations as Response to Dukes v. Wal-Mart," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 18, 2011)
- "OFCCP Issues New Directive On Functional Affirmative Action Programs," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 6, 2011)
- "Recall of OFCCP Audit Notices, Key OFCCP Management Changes & Other Important News," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 22, 2011)
- "OFCCP Seeks To Require Contractors To Produce Additional Information During All Audits," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 17, 2011)
- "OFCCP Publishes Proposed Vets Regulations in Federal Register," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 28, 2011)
- "The 'New' OFCCP In Action: 2011 Focus on Enforcement," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 1, 2011)
- "OFCCP Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Veterans Regulations Is Imminent," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 31, 2011)
- "OFCCP Directive 293: Jurisdiction Over Health Care Providers," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 9, 2011)
- "OFCCP Releases Fall 2010 Regulatory Agenda," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 4, 2011)
NILG Annual Conferences:
- The Future is Now: Navigating through the Intersection of AI and Recruiting Technologies (August 25, 2020)
- Insights from Research: Why Are These Key Issues So Persistent And What To Do Next (August 1, 2019)
- How The Increasing Use of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Automation Affects Compliance (August 2, 2018)
- Legal Experts Panel (2018)
- Legal Experts Panel (2017)
- Managing the Worst Case AAP Results: What to Do Now (2017)
- Aspirins for Pay Audits: Building and Leveraging your HRIS to Take Away the Pain from Repeat Pay Equity Assessments (2017)
- Practical Solutions for Addressing Workplace Issues Relating to Transgender Individuals (2016)
- Legal Experts Panel (2016)
- Self-Auditing your Applicant Screening and Implementing Trackers (2015)
- Affirmative Action Compliance & Diversity/Inclusion - Identifying Synergies While Understanding Legal Risk (2015)
- Legal Experts Panel (2015)
- Policy Makers Talk about Revised FCCM, Other Agency Considerations & Title VII Perspectives (Carr/Lipnic/Hoffman) (2014)
- Legal Experts Panel (2014)
- Compensation Discussion with Pam Coukos, OFCCP (Coukos/Hoffman) (2013)
- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Lessons Learned from Real Audits (2013)
- Multi Establishment & Enterprise Wide Compliance (2012)
- Applicant Tracking Trends & Compliance (2012)
- Experts Panel (2012)
- Be Prepared! How to Handle New and Emerging Issues in OFCCP Audits (2011)
- Social Media Platforms: The Recruiting Reality and Mitigating Risk (2010)
Other Presentations
- "Evaluating the Wage Gap 2.0 and What Should You Be Saying," Institute for Workplace Equality (September 30, 2020)
- "Pay Equity Think Tank," Breakfast Briefing, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP, San Francisco, CA (November 30, 2016)
- "OFCCP Revises Its Standard Audit Procedures- What You Need To Know About the Newly Revised Federal Contract Compliance Manual," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 26, 2013)
- "OFCCP’s ‘Game-Changing’ Disability and Veterans Regulations Finalized," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 3, 2013)
- "OFCCP’s New Compensation Plan Provides Little Direction," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 15, 2013)
- "Criminal Background Checks Now On The OFCCP's Radar," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 15, 2013)
Valerie brings future-focused and strategic insights to her work with employers on human capital management, including pay equity, affirmative action, diversity, and inclusion.
More About Valerie
As counsel to chief executives and management, Valerie advises employers of all varieties and sizes, including Fortune 100 technology, financial services, professional services, hospitality, and manufacturing companies. While Valerie has a broad-based employment law advice and counsel practice, she has a particular focus on strategies to prevent and resolve issues relating to employment discrimination, including pay equity and glass ceiling issues, OFCCP defense and affirmative action compliance, and advice about legally defensible diversity practices. She is a core leader of the firm’s Pay Equity Group and founded and is co-chair of the firm’s nationally prominent OFCCP, Affirmative Action, and Diversity practices.
In addition, Valerie co-founded and co-chairs Seyfarth’s People Analytics group. This forward-facing people analytics practice works with employers to design and implement metrics for tracking, assessment and achievement of workforce objectives including effective talent acquisition and management, workforce planning, leadership development, pay equity, diversity & inclusion, reductions in force, and other objectives where data can be leveraged to improve human capital management and work life.
Valerie also provides counsel and advice on diversity and inclusion best practices, metrics, progress management and change management. Employers across the country value her broad knowledge of legally defensible and practical solutions for achieving diversity and inclusion objectives. She has extensive experience counseling senior leaders about these issues and their intersection with employment discrimination law.
Valerie receives national media coverage of her observations about issues involving employment-related issues, including workplace metrics, employment discrimination, government compliance, glass ceiling issues, pay equity and diversity. She is a popular speaker and writer on these topics.
In addition, Valerie co-founded and co-chairs Seyfarth’s People Analytics group. This forward-facing people analytics practice works with employers to design and implement metrics for tracking, assessment and achievement of workforce objectives including effective talent acquisition and management, workforce planning, leadership development, pay equity, diversity & inclusion, reductions in force, and other objectives where data can be leveraged to improve human capital management and work life.
Valerie also provides counsel and advice on diversity and inclusion best practices, metrics, progress management and change management. Employers across the country value her broad knowledge of legally defensible and practical solutions for achieving diversity and inclusion objectives. She has extensive experience counseling senior leaders about these issues and their intersection with employment discrimination law.
Valerie receives national media coverage of her observations about issues involving employment-related issues, including workplace metrics, employment discrimination, government compliance, glass ceiling issues, pay equity and diversity. She is a popular speaker and writer on these topics.
- JD, Boston College Law School
- BA, Union College
Summa cum laude
Phi Beta Kappa - University of Edinburgh
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
Related Services
- Background Checking & Drug Testing
- Employment
- Employment Litigation
- OFCCP & Affirmative Action Compliance
- Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
- White Collar Defense & Investigations
- Pay Equity
- Reductions in Force & Business Restructuring
- Diversity & Inclusion Practice
- Agency Investigations & Audits
- People Analytics
- Impact & Sustainability
Related Key Industries
Related News & Insights
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
-
Recognition
Aug 18, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2023
-
Legal Update
Mar 17, 2022
Equal Pay Day 2022: Key Trends in Pay Equity
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employment Law - Management (2022-2025) and Litigation - Labor & Employment Law (2023-2025)
- Recognized in The Legal 500 for Labor & Employment - Workplace Employment Counseling (Legalese Ltd.) (2017-2018, 2021)
- Listed in Leading Lawyers for Employment Law - Management (Law Bulletin Media)
- Rated AV Pre-eminent by Martindale- Hubbell for the past 25 years
-
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, current vice chair on the executive committee
-
Los Padres Forest Association, vice president and executive board member
-
Union College, former trustee, board secretary, and executive committee member
-
Greater Los Angeles Industrial Liaison Group, board member
-
Navistar Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board, former board member
-
The Graduate College of Union University, former trustee and board secretary
-
AIDS Foundation of Chicago, former director and executive committee member
-
The National Conference for Community and Justice (former national advisor; Chicago region director; executive committee member)
-
The University Club of Chicago, former director
-
Remains Theatre (past president; vice president; board member)
- Co-Author, "Equal Pay Day 2022: Key Trends in Pay Equity," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 17, 2022)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Issues New Directive Aimed at Collecting the Results of Federal Contractor Pay Equity Analyses During Compliance Reviews," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 16, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Breaking News: New EEOC Pay Report Proposed For Employers in 2017," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 29, 2016)
- Co-Author, "California Gender Pay Equality Bill To Be Strictest In Nation?," California Peculiarities Employment Law Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 9, 2015)
- Author, "The Proposed Equal Pay Report: What You Need to Know," The OFCCP Digest, Local Job Network, Volume 4, Issue 10 (October, 2014)
- Co-Author, "OMB Approves 'New' Audit Scheduling Letter…Finally!" Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 10, 2014)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Proposes New Equal Pay Report," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 8, 2014)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Finalizes Disability Self-Identification Form; Seyfarth Offering Fixed Fee Compliance Packages," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 27, 2014)
- Co-Author, "DOL’s Latest July 2013 Release Date for Final Veterans, Disability Rules Is Doubtful," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 17, 2013)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Posts Date Federal Contractors Must Use New Census Data for Adverse Impact Programs," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 2013)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP Wins Major Battle Over Coverage Of Some Health Care Providers," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 5, 2013)
- Co-Author, "OFCCP’s New Compensation Plan Provides Little Direction," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 27, 2013)
- Co-Author, "What The Presidential Election Means For Federal Contractors: Insight Into What’s Ahead For Affirmative Action," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 9, 2012)
- Co-Author, "Statisticians Caution EEOC on the Challenges of Collecting and Measuring Pay Equity Data," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 12, 2012)
- Co-author, "Federal Contractors and Subcontractors be on the Alert: Federal Government Takes a Step Towards Creating the Elusive List of Federal Subcontractors," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 24, 2012)
- "DOL Extends Filing Deadline for 2011 VETS-100/100A Reports; Financial Institutions Will No Longer Sell U.S. Savings Bonds in 2012 & May No Longer Be Federal Contractors," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 12, 2011)
- "OFCCP Publishes Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Compensation Data Collection Tool," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 11, 2011)
- "OFCCP Releases Spring 2011 Semi-Annual Regulatory Agenda," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 28, 2011)
- "DOL Announces OFCCP Priority of Seeking Class Relief for Equal Pay and Other Violations as Response to Dukes v. Wal-Mart," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 18, 2011)
- "OFCCP Issues New Directive On Functional Affirmative Action Programs," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 6, 2011)
- "Recall of OFCCP Audit Notices, Key OFCCP Management Changes & Other Important News," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 22, 2011)
- "OFCCP Seeks To Require Contractors To Produce Additional Information During All Audits," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 17, 2011)
- "OFCCP Publishes Proposed Vets Regulations in Federal Register," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 28, 2011)
- "The 'New' OFCCP In Action: 2011 Focus on Enforcement," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 1, 2011)
- "OFCCP Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Veterans Regulations Is Imminent," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 31, 2011)
- "OFCCP Directive 293: Jurisdiction Over Health Care Providers," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 9, 2011)
- "OFCCP Releases Fall 2010 Regulatory Agenda," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 4, 2011)
NILG Annual Conferences:
- The Future is Now: Navigating through the Intersection of AI and Recruiting Technologies (August 25, 2020)
- Insights from Research: Why Are These Key Issues So Persistent And What To Do Next (August 1, 2019)
- How The Increasing Use of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Automation Affects Compliance (August 2, 2018)
- Legal Experts Panel (2018)
- Legal Experts Panel (2017)
- Managing the Worst Case AAP Results: What to Do Now (2017)
- Aspirins for Pay Audits: Building and Leveraging your HRIS to Take Away the Pain from Repeat Pay Equity Assessments (2017)
- Practical Solutions for Addressing Workplace Issues Relating to Transgender Individuals (2016)
- Legal Experts Panel (2016)
- Self-Auditing your Applicant Screening and Implementing Trackers (2015)
- Affirmative Action Compliance & Diversity/Inclusion - Identifying Synergies While Understanding Legal Risk (2015)
- Legal Experts Panel (2015)
- Policy Makers Talk about Revised FCCM, Other Agency Considerations & Title VII Perspectives (Carr/Lipnic/Hoffman) (2014)
- Legal Experts Panel (2014)
- Compensation Discussion with Pam Coukos, OFCCP (Coukos/Hoffman) (2013)
- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Lessons Learned from Real Audits (2013)
- Multi Establishment & Enterprise Wide Compliance (2012)
- Applicant Tracking Trends & Compliance (2012)
- Experts Panel (2012)
- Be Prepared! How to Handle New and Emerging Issues in OFCCP Audits (2011)
- Social Media Platforms: The Recruiting Reality and Mitigating Risk (2010)
Other Presentations
- "Evaluating the Wage Gap 2.0 and What Should You Be Saying," Institute for Workplace Equality (September 30, 2020)
- "Pay Equity Think Tank," Breakfast Briefing, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP, San Francisco, CA (November 30, 2016)
- "OFCCP Revises Its Standard Audit Procedures- What You Need To Know About the Newly Revised Federal Contract Compliance Manual," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 26, 2013)
- "OFCCP’s ‘Game-Changing’ Disability and Veterans Regulations Finalized," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 3, 2013)
- "OFCCP’s New Compensation Plan Provides Little Direction," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 15, 2013)
- "Criminal Background Checks Now On The OFCCP's Radar," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 15, 2013)