Stephen Hoffman, Hoffman Law Office, P.L.L.C.
Monday, September 23
12:00 p.m.
Hamann Auditorium
Few non-Latin phrases can confuse or unnerve an attorney like the term “digital evidence.” It doesn’t seem all that remarkable, it’s just evidence in an electronic format, right? But how do you introduce an email or text message into court? How can you authenticate a digital photo to show it hasn’t been altered? Do you need an expert to authenticate every piece of evidence?
The presentation begins by first explaining the scientific process underlying the authentication of digital evidence: cryptographic hashing. After describing how it works and why it’s so important, the discussion then turns to how digital evidence can be offered and authenticated under six key provisions of the Federal Rules of Evidence.
Stephen Hoffman is the owner of Hoffman Law Office, P.L.L.C. in the Twin Cities, where he focuses his practice on business and intellectual property law. He has written and presented on hashing and digital evidence for several years, and his writings have been cited by law reviews, journals, as well as academics and practitioners throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Stephen received his B.A. in mathematics from Concordia University, Irvine. After receiving his J.D. from the University of Minnesota, he completed an LL.M. in international trade and business law at the University of Arizona.
This speech is approved as a CLE, but does not address ethics.