Susan Hofer serves as the Chair of the firm’s Aviation Litigation Practice Group. Susan has been litigating since 1988 and is licensed to practice law in North Carolina. She has also been admitted to practice Pro Hac Vice in many other jurisdictions. She joined the Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) team in 2014 and serves on the Cranfill Sumner COVID-19 Response Team.

In addition to her extensive litigation experience, Susan is an FAA certificated pilot, holding commercial and certified flight instructor, small unmanned aircraft system, remote pilot, instrument airplane, and glider certificates. This combined expertise, along with a technical background from extensive patent research experience, enables her to effectively and successfully analyze and litigate aviation, products liability, and other technically-based cases. She has successfully represented manufacturers, pilots, mechanics, FBOs, Part 135 operators, and others in matters involving everything from complex litigation arising from major air crashes to FAA enforcement actions.

Over the years Susan has spoken numerous times to various aviation and legal groups and taught a college course in Aviation Law.

Susan is an active member of aviation and legal organizations including the North Carolina Bar, American Bar Association, Aviation Insurance Association, International Aviation Womens Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, Organization of Flying Adjusters, National Business Aviation Association, and is a Panel Attorney for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Susan is an active pilot, who flies a Mooney 252 in the course of her law practice and for enjoyment.  She was elected as an officer of the Lawyer Pilots Bar Association, presided as President of the organization in 2008-2009, and now serves on the Board of Directors.

ARTICLES, PRESENTATIONS, AND PUBLICATIONS

  • “Handling Spoliation of Evidence Issues in Aviation Cases,” Aviation Insurance Association 2019 Conference (May 2019)

Most Recent Posts

  News

CSH Law Attorneys Present to SMU Air Law Symposium

takeoff plane in airport

Susan Hofer and Mica Nguyen Worthy presented on “Preserving Evidence and Your Ethics in the Age of Snapchat” at the 55th Annual SMU Air Law Symposium on March 25, 2021. The program was hosted virtually this year by SMU and with almost 200 attendees.… Read More

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Can their expert say that?

takeoff plane in airport

What information aviation experts should be allowed to rely upon in formulating opinions for trial In a previous article, we… Read More

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Susan Hofer and Mica Nguyen Worthy Present at AIA Annual Conference

Susan Hofer and Mica Nguyen Worthy were featured presenters at the 2019 Aviation Insurance Association Conference in Asheville. On May 3, Susan and Mica presented a session entitled “Handling Spoliation of Evidence Issues in Aviation Cases.” Their presentation was part of the conference’s Continuing Legal Education sessions.… Read More

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Aviation April 2018

The Cranfill Sumner Aviation Practice Group experienced “Aviation April” this year. We started off the month at the SMU Air… Read More

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Susan Hofer to Discuss Drones on Carolina Business Review Episode

Susan Hofer | Aviation Law Attorney Charlotte

Susan Hofer, the Chair of the Aviation Law Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP, will appear on an upcoming episode of the Carolina Business Review which premieres April 14. Susan participated in a panel discussion about drone aircraft (UAS) and the legislation and privacy concerns surrounding them.… Read More

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Susan Hofer Discusses Drone Aircraft

Keyboard with an "information" button instead of "enter" button

Susan Hofer, Chair of the Aviation Law Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP, recently spoke at the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Aviation Committee Meeting. On March 7, Susan provided a summary on development of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), also known as drones. … Read More

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Susan Hofer to Speak at Campbell Law Review Symposium

law

Susan Hofer, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, will serve as a panel moderator at the 2017 Campbell Law Review Symposium. The event which will be held Feb. 2-3, is entitled “Flying Above the Law: Legal Issues Surrounding the Domestic Use of Drone.” … Read More

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Susan Hofer Receives Remote Pilot Certification for Drone (sUAS) Operations

takeoff plane in airport

Susan Hofer, chair of the Aviation Law Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently issued a Remote Pilot Certificate with rating for Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The certificate authorizes Susan to oversee commercial operations of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems, also known as drones.… Read More

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Cranfill Sumner Sponsors OFA Meeting

Aviation adjuster

Cranfill Sumner sponsors the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Organization of Flying Adjusters (OFA) in Baton Rouge, La. Susan Hofer, Chair of the Aviation Litigation Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner, is a licensed pilot and member of IAWA.… Read More