About Team Hochberg

The Team

• William D. Hochberg – Attorney
• Rachel V. Hamar – Attorney
• Lillian Kaufer – Paralegal
• Christine Peterson – Paralegal
• Jennifer Bates – Paralegal
• Meredith Ruffcorn – Senior Legal Assistant
• Amy Fair – Legal Assistant
• Bruce – Security (office dog)

William D. Hochberg – Attorney

Bill Hochberg earned his undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Puget Sound in 1980 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law in 1983. Prior to commencing private practice, he was a Washington state Assistant Attorney General for the Labor and Industries, Licensing, and Social and Health Service Divisions.

Bill is licensed to practice before the Washington State Supreme Court, United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, and the United States 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. He has tried and argued cases before the Superior Courts in the State of Washington, the Washington State Court of Appeals, the Washington State Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, and the United States 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Bill is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, Snohomish County Bar Association, American Association for Justice, and the Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ, formerly known as WSTLA). He has served on the board of WSAJ for three years. Bill also served on the WSAJ Executive Committee and chaired both the Legislative Steering Committee and the WSAJ Workers’ Compensation Section. Currently, he is a member of the Justice for All Political Action Committee.

Bill has successfully argued six seminal and precedent setting cases before the Washington State Supreme Court:

• Harry v. Buse Timber & Sales, 166 Wn.2d 1 (2009)
• Sebastian v. Department of Labor and Industries, 142 Wn.2d 280 (2000)
• Kilpatrick v. Department of Labor and Industries, 125 Wn.2d 222 (1994)
• Department of Labor and Industries v. Fankhauser, 121 Wn.2d 304 (1993)
• Department of Labor and Industries v. Estate of MacMillan, 117 Wn.2d 222 (1991)
• Department of Labor and Industries v. Landon, 117 Wn.2d 122 (1991)

He has also appeared as amicus curiae before the Supreme Court on behalf of the Washington State Labor Council. The positions advocated in those briefs were followed by the Court in:

• Boeing v. Heidy, 147 Wn.2d 78 (2002)
• Cockle v. Department of Labor and Industries, 142 Wn.2d 801 (2001)
• Department of Labor and Industries v. Avundes, 140 Wn.2d 282 (2000)

Contact Bill: [email protected]

 

Rachel V. Hamar – Attorney

Rachel V. Hamar is a partner at Hochberg & Hamar, PLLC, where she focuses primarily on personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. She began working for the firm in 2008 and joined the firm as an attorney in 2011. Rachel is constantly amazed and humbled she has the privilege of working with injured people who get up every day and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles because of their medical conditions and injuries.

Rachel spent her formative years in Eastern Washington, where she grew up amidst the natural beauty of the area and learned to appreciate the diversity of Washington State. She went on to graduate summa cum laude as a Wayne Stanford Scholar from Washington State University, where she studied history and law. Rachel then attended law school at the University of Washington, where she worked with the Immigrant Families Advocacy Project and as an advocate for foster children in the Child and Youth Advocacy Clinic. She also served as the Washington State Association for Justice Student Liaison and takes great pride in empowering injured people through the law.

Contact Rachel: [email protected]

 

Lillian Kaufer – Paralegal

Paralegal Lillian Kaufer joined team Hochberg in 2006. Lillian represents injured workers battling Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries or self-insured employers denying legitimate claims.

Lillian particularly enjoys working on behalf of professional athletes from the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Kraken and Seattle Storm. Also fluent in Spanish, she helps all of team Hochberg’s Spanish-speaking clients understand their cases.

Lillian and her husband, Patrick, have two daughters, Bridgett and Blair. Lillian and her husband have built a successful local business over the past 20 years.

Contact Lillian: [email protected]

 

Christine Peterson – Paralegal

Paralegal Christine Peterson joined Hochberg & Hamar, PLLC, in 2016. Christine has built her career around helping injured workers receive the benefits they are entitled to and assisting clients in reaching a solution that best fits their needs, whether or not that involves litigation. She is involved from the beginning to end of cases, from scheduling the initial consultation to the completion of the case. Christine specializes in workers compensation, with a special interest in cases involving CRPS and PTSD.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones, working in her garden, reading, road trips, and outdoor recreation.

Contact Christine: [email protected]

 

Jennifer Bates – Paralegal

Paralegal Jennifer Bates joined team Hochberg in 2021. Jennifer represents clients with their personal injury claims. Jennifer has more than 20 years of experience working with personal injury clients and has helped resolve thousands of cases representing those injured by the negligence of others over the years.

 She is experienced in managing personal injury claims at all stages from early discovery through preparing cases for negotiation, mediation, arbitration, trial, and appeals. Jennifer is dedicated to helping clients navigate the legal process and obtain fair compensation for their injuries. 

Jennifer was born and raised in the PNW. Her and her husband have two young sons. When Jennifer is not helping injured clients, you may find her volunteering at her children’s school or extra-curricular activities, boating with her family, or enjoying one of Washington’s many beautiful trails. 

 Contact Jennifer: [email protected]

Meredith Ruffcorn – Senior Legal Assistant

Meredith has worked for Mr. Hochberg since 2004 and is now the senior legal assistant at Hochberg & Hamar, PLLC. She primarily assists the bookkeeper with the processing of incoming payments and works with the paralegals by monitoring timelines issues and managing various organizational tasks. Meredith enjoys working in beautiful downtown Edmonds while being part of an excellent staff that is dedicated to working for the injured workers of Washington to provide the best possible outcome for their injury claims.

Meredith was born in Seattle and has been a resident of the greater Seattle area her entire life. She loves music, reading, and traveling. She frequently spends time with friends and family attending a variety of professional sporting events, going to the movies, and watching an occasional concert.

Contact Meredith: [email protected]

Amy Fair – Legal Assistant

Legal assistant Amy Fair joined Hochberg & Hamar, PLLC, in 2021. Amy performs various reception and administrative duties to assist the paralegals and attorneys, as well as helping the bookkeeper and senior legal assistant. She does her best to help the injured workers who contact our office and is grateful to be working with such dedicated coworkers.

Amy grew up in Edmonds and has always felt a deep connection with the PNW. In her spare time, she likes to read, spend time with friends and family, go for walks, travel, and watch movies.

Contact Amy: [email protected]

Bruce “The Boss” – Security

Bruce is chief of office security. He will alert to any intruders, greet clients, and comfort those in need.