Susan Hofer

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)