Stephanie C. Hoffer Attorney

Co-Founder, Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC | Michigan Medical Malpractice Attorney

Stephanie C. Hoffer is a founding partner of Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC. Stephanie focuses her practice on representing patients and families throughout Michigan in complex medical malpractice, birth injury, and wrongful death cases.

A former medical malpractice defense attorney, Stephanie brings a distinctive perspective to representing injured patients. Having previously defended physicians, hospitals, nurses, and other professionals against negligence claims, she understands how defendants and their insurers investigate, evaluate, and defend these cases.

Stephanie is particularly recognized for her legal analysis, written advocacy, and command of Michigan malpractice law. In fact, she is an author of a malpractice book chapter for the Institute of Continuing Education. Her work includes developing litigation strategies, addressing complex legal issues, preparing and arguing significant motions, and pursuing appeals.

A Career Built on Both Sides of the Courtroom

Stephanie began her legal career working for judges in Kent and Allegan Counties, where she gained firsthand exposure to trial practice, courtroom strategy, and judicial decision-making.

She subsequently practiced professional liability defense, representing healthcare providers and other professionals in complex negligence litigation.

In 2017, Stephanie and her law partner, Aubri Sheremet, founded Hoffer & Sheremet to apply their experience on behalf of injured patients and families.

Today, Stephanie focuses on some of Michigan's most complex medical malpractice cases, where success often requires a detailed understanding of both medicine and law.

Stephanie's unique experience has culminated in her particular approach to case investigation, legal strategy, and preparing cases for trial. Stephanie begins by considering the case from the defense perspective and then systematically dismantles or avoids those defenses as she prepares her case. 

Significant Litigation and Appellate Accomplishments

Throughout her career, Stephanie has worked on cases involving significant questions of medical malpractice law, including the legal standards governing negligence, recoverable damages, and patients' rights.

Among Stephanie's recent and most notable litigation examples are:

Recent Representative Cases

• 2026: Client v Pummill, Schmidt, Sono Bello, Aesthetic Physicians, Body Contour Centers, Eduardo Avila, Matthew Chung, and Tom Garrison: As lead counsel Stephanie won a Motion defaulting these defendants for discovery violations and making misrepresentations to the Court. As a result, the defendants are not allowed to defend the case on liability and the case will go to trial only on damages. 
• 2026 Confidential Settlement: Stephanie obtained a substantial financial recovery for our client in a case where chiropractic manipulation resulted in paraplegia.
• 2026 Confidential Settlement: Stephanie obtained a large pre-suit settlement for our client in a delayed diagnosis of stroke case that allowed her to stay in her private pay nursing home for life.
• 2026 Confidential Settlement: Stephanie was lead counsel on a case resulting in a multi-million dollar settlement in a delayed diagnosis and treatment case.
• 2025 Confidential Settlement: In a very difficult case, Stephanie obtained a substantial recovery for a family in a birth injury case.
• 2025 Confidential Settlement: Stephanie achieved a pre-suit settlement in an amount sufficient to provide life-long care to our amputee client in a surgical error case.

Notable Trial and Legal Victories

• Thomsen v. Nizzi: Stephanie was lead trial counsel in a 2019 medical malpractice jury victory in Grand Traverse County, reportedly the first plaintiff's medical malpractice trial victory in that county since 1997.

• Swanzy v. Spectrum Health: Stephanie handled the appeal in this case, resulting in a favorable published Michigan Court of Appeals decision addressing the distinction between ordinary negligence and medical malpractice.

• Polanco v. Mercy Health St. Mary's: Stephanie successfully advanced a new legal argument in this case that allowed future damages on behalf of any unborn baby. 

• Coryell v. Hurley Medical Center: Stephanie successfully handled the appeal in this case, reversing dismissal of claims involving a hospital's failure to provide adequate language interpretation.

Author, Educator, and Contributor to Michigan Legal Practice

Stephanie's knowledge of professional negligence law extends beyond the courtroom.

She is a contributing author to the Institute of Continuing Legal Education's Torts: Michigan Law and Practice, Third Edition, including the chapter addressing legal malpractice and other professional negligence. She has also contributed to ICLE's Attorney Fee Agreements in Michigan.

Stephanie has presented to fellow attorneys on litigation strategy, evidentiary issues, and trial advocacy. Her presentations have included programs for the State Bar of Michigan's Negligence Law Section and the Michigan Association for Justice.

Stephanie also introduces high school students to litigation by coaching a local high school Mock Trial team. She also serves as a Mock Trial judge.

Stephanie routinely speaks to middle school classes about careers in the law and how to see the same set of facts from two competing points of view.

Professional Recognition

Stephanie's professional recognition includes:

• Michigan Lawyers Weekly: Selected as a 2022 Go-To Lawyer for Medical Malpractice Law.

• Super Lawyers: Selected to Michigan Super Lawyers from 2022 through 2026, following previous Rising Stars recognition.

• Grand Rapids Magazine: Recognized among the publication's Top Lawyers.

• Michigan Association for Justice: Former board member.

Education and Professional Credentials

• Juris Doctor: Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 2007

• Bachelor of Arts: University of Rhode Island, 2003

Beyond the Practice

Outside the courtroom, Stephanie spends much of her time on her family's West Michigan farm, raising cattle and other livestock, gardening, riding horses and enjoying life in the country.

Working with Stephanie

At Hoffer & Sheremet, clients work directly with experienced attorneys who take the time to understand their injuries, their concerns, and their goals.

Stephanie believes that effective representation requires more than identifying a medical error. It requires understanding the consequences of that error, investigating the evidence thoroughly, developing a sound legal strategy, and pursuing accountability for the harm caused.

Hoffer & Sheremet represents clients throughout Michigan from its Grand Rapids office.