AttorneyMentoring.com

Profile of Jane Hoffman, Esq.,
President of the not-for-profit Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals
By Constance Young ©2006. continued

Animals in Law Committee. In 1991, while an Associate at Simpson, Jane helped found the Animals in the Law Committee
(ALC) of the New York City Bar Association at the suggestion of Jolene Marion, Esq., now deceased. Jane became very
active with the new Committee which in 1999 held a seminal conference on the "Legal Standing of Non-Human Animals"
and the following year held a conference on "Animal Sheltering in the U.S." – the subject matter of that conference was the
segue to Jane’s next move

Jane stayed at Simpson for roughly four years when she was recruited to work for a boutique management consulting firm.
Jane made the leap because it was a good opportunity to work closely with Boards of Directors and do "lots of deals."
Jane's focus was on executive compensations. She left after a few years when her mentor Dennis left the firm and the
company was acquired by another company.

Time to go it alone. Although it was a "scary" thought, Jane decided to go into solo practice -- "doing it from the other side,"
handling the employee's side of things as opposed to management. For example, she would represent executives who
were fired, those who needed severance contracts, or employees who were hired and needed to have their contracts
reviewed. She also did estate planning, trusts, and coop closings.
.
Pro Bono Work Becomes a Full-Time Career. In 2001, Mariann Sullivan, then chair of the ALC, and also Deputy Chief
Court Attorney, New York State Appellate Division, First Department, wrote a memo to the Mayor Bloomberg's administration
on behalf of the ALC. The memo offered some opportunities for Bloomberg's administration to improve the situation for
New York's animals. Since 1995, the Center for Animal Care & Control, (now "Animal Care & Control of NYC") was the
organization responsible for New York City's municipal shelter system.

They're interested. The time was soon after 9/11, so funds were scarce; however Mayor Bloomberg's administration was
open to private-public partnerships and new ideas. The ALC proposed a community-collaborative effort with the City. This
type of private-public partnership would enable the City to apply for a 15 million-dollar multi-year grant from Maddie’s
Fund®, so-named after the beloved miniature schnauzer " who inspired her caregivers Dave and Cheryl Duffield to start this
charitable foundation. Maddie's Fund was founded to help the nation’s "most needy dogs and cats … who, for one reason
or another, have ended up in our animal shelters-homeless, desperate, hoping for a new loving home--and running out of
time." Ultimately, the family foundation is helping to "fund the creation of a no-kill nation." In the case of the ALC's proposal,
the partnership would help with an important municipal obligation. Many meetings followed with the Mayor's office and
members of rescue groups and shelters. The final collaborative effort became known as Mayor's Alliance for NYC Animals,
a not for profit corporation, which would function as the lead agency in the community collaboration.

At this point, Jane called another of her Simpson mentors and former basketball players, Victoria Bjorklund, who
represented The Robin Hood Foundation and Doctors Without Borders, to help advise the Mayor's Alliance on a pro bono
basis. Jane said, "Simpson's pro bono representation was that extra assurance to the City that the Mayor's Alliance was a
serious, well-run, thought-out endeavor." She added that she is "very grateful to Simpson for its guidance in a number of
areas -- something a first rate large firm can do." The Mayor's Alliance then applied for Maddie's Fund and after securing a
$5 million lead grant from the ASPCA, was awarded a $15 million Maddie’s Fund grant in January 2005 to be paid out to the
Alliance over 7 years.

Jane wound down her solo practice to become the paid President of the Mayor's Alliance in 2005.
Jane’s Perspective Asked what changes she's witnessed in the legal profession Jane answered that although she is most
familiar with big "Wall Street firms," she has seen the legal profession "become more diverse from both a racial and gender
point of view, although there is still along way to go." The legal profession has made a "concerted effort in the area of
diversity – in opportunity; not just having bodies in place." There has been "an added commitment to make sure women
are mentored and have the opportunity to become Partners," she added.

Asked about corporate malfeasance and its affect on law profession, Jane answered that "It has been a wake up call in all
professions." The lesson is that "we need to have controls in place and can't just rely on corporate management. There
has been an impact on the not-for-profit sphere too, and she added, "everybody is taking a very hard look at corporate
governance and corporate finance that has extended to the not-for profit area."

If she could do anything in the world, she said she would do what she is doing now. The not-for-profit arena "brings your
way of thinking to bear, but it is running a corporation, not practicing law," she told attorneymentoring.com. In contrast, large
law firms "provide a built-in social circle and opportunities for extra curricular activities, such as basketball leagues and
volleyball teams," Jane added. They also provide wonderful training and exposure -- as well as amenities such as
cafeteria, fine libraries, and taxi rides home. Solo practice on the other hand allows for greater flexibility and makes one
self-reliant.

Jane added that pro bono representation by large firms is a huge boon to not-for-profits. It is also good for the firm because
it engages the interest of its talented young associates and provides training opportunities

Asked what is the best career advice that she has received, Jane answered "If you are managing people, give away all the
credit, take all the blame."