Eric Hockman’s practice focuses on complex and technical litigation matters involving business, government, and individuals. He handles expert-intensive matters that include construction, data privacy, coastal engineering, aviation maintenance and manufacturing, fire and explosion, and other matters involving specialized knowledge before federal and state courts and agencies, as well as mediation and arbitration. Eric is also the firm’s Information Technology Partner, responsible for all of the firm’s practice management applications, data storage needs, and data security.
Software Disputes
Eric handles disputes over the design, development, and installation of software products. His experience also includes matters related to the protection of software code, including escrow management and copyright protection.
Data Privacy and Cyber-security
In addition to his complex commercial and municipal litigation practice, Eric is experienced in handling the fallout from data breaches, phishing attacks, and malware attacks. He also assists clients with avoiding data breaches and ensuring adequate insurance coverage for cyberattacks.
Aviation
Eric’s aviation experience is unique among lawyers. Eric spent nearly 12 years working full-time in the industry as a pilot, certified flight instructor with instrument endorsement, certified airframe & powerplant technician, and heavy maintenance manager. Before law school, Eric began working for Northwest Airlines as a technician and then as lead technician in charge of a 12-person crew. He was soon promoted to management, where he was responsible for managing a union workforce performing heavy maintenance on Douglas DC-9 and DC-10, Boeing 727 and 757, and Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. He also supervised a maintenance contractor in Singapore on behalf of the airline. In addition to flying and maintaining his own 1961 Cessna 310-F aircraft for several years, Eric has flown commercial cargo flights and taught beginner and advanced pilots how to fly.
Coastal Beaches
Eric handles disputes over beach sand between municipalities involving complex and technical coastal engineering issues, including the installation and function of erosion control structures. Eric’s technical and engineering background aids his rapid understanding of complex engineering issues, permitting him to present arguments in simple and understandable ways. As sea levels rise, these cases are likely to become more common, with government, business, and landowners fighting over dwindling beachfronts.
E-Discovery and Trial Presentation
Eric employs advanced technology in his practice to better represent clients and manage costs. He uses advanced presentation techniques in the courtroom to present clients’ arguments clearly, using a combination of oral argument and visual evidence. In addition, Eric is very experienced with e-discovery techniques and has managed document discovery and review in matters involving millions of documents. He is frequently consulted by firm attorneys for assistance with electronic discovery issues.
Municipal Code Enforcement
Eric handles challenging code enforcement matters on behalf of municipalities. Once code enforcement proceeds to a courtroom, Eric has successfully handled dozens of cases in creative ways, resolving the issues in cost-conscious and efficient ways.
Florida, 2009
Minnesota, 2006 (resigned 2016)
U.S. District Court, Minnesota, 2006
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 2011
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Bankruptcy Court, 2011
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, 2012
William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2006
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University BS & AS, 1991, Major: Aviation Technology
Artificial Intelligence To Give Lawyers An Edge In Negotiations? Yes, Please., LinkedIn, February 9, 2022
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