Article
Remembering Robert L. Hoffman, 1928-2014
July 29, 2014
It is with great regret that we announce the passing of our founder, Robert L. Hoffman. Bob founded the firm, along with Jim Larkin, in 1958. Over time, he became known as the dean of Twin Cities land-use lawyers and an innovator in law firm management. “Bob was a pioneer in the legal industry,” noted Bill Griffith, president of Larkin Hoffman. “He encouraged the firm to move into new areas, like government relations, land use and environmental law, long before others specialized in those fields.”
Bob was involved in land use and real estate development issues as both a policy-maker and lawyer. He represented many development clients on major projects in and around the Twin Cities over his long career, most notably, Mall of America from its inception, Carlson Company headquarters and Target Center. Curt Carlson, founder of Carlson Companies, described Bob as follows: "no matter how formidable the obstacle, he was so calm about it. He figured a way to compromise to get it accomplished."
As an early architect of the Metropolitan Council, the governing body for planning and development in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Bob served on the board for several years, chairing the Physical Development Committee. He worked extensively with the Builders Association of the Twin Cities and the Minnesota Housing Partnership to develop and promote affordable housing. Bob was a member of the Land Use Advisory Group for the Public Technology Institute of Washington, D.C. and taught land use law at Hamline University School of Law.
After graduating from Carleton College in 1952, Bob attended the University of Minnesota School of Law, graduating in 1955. His extensive public service included serving on the board of governors of the University of St. Thomas School of Law, as a trustee of Housing Minnesota and as a member of the Urban Land Institute Development Policies and Regulations Council. He was a member of the Bloomington City Council for 14 years and served as the chairman of the Bloomington Economic Development Commission. In 2011, Bob was inducted into the Minnesota Real Estate Hall of Fame.
Bob was not only this firm’s founder and long-time leader, he was a true mentor to all of us. He gave us the benefit of his professional experience, business acumen and devotion to community. We live and practice in a better community because of his vision, integrity and ability to help others achieve their goals. He will be missed.
Obituary: Robert Hoffman, founder of Twin Cities law firm, dies at 85
Article by: Maura Lerner, Star Tribune
In many ways, the Mall of America will always be Robert Hoffman’s legacy.
Hoffman, a savvy lawyer and onetime Bloomington City Council member, was best known for crafting the deals that brought the megamall to life. When powerful opponents and infighting threatened to bring it down in the 1980s, he was the one who kept it together.
“A lot of people would tell you it wouldn’t have happened without him,” said Jim Erickson, a friend and colleague for more than 40 years.
Hoffman, who died July 29 at age 85, was widely viewed as one of the major forces behind the Twin Cities’ largest land developments, including the Mall of America and Target Center.
