I was born in Dallas, and grew up in Abilene after stints in other places while my father Walter C. Hofheinz, a United Methodist minister, was completing his doctoral work in preparation for a college teaching career. The Lakewood area of Dallas was a second home, since my grandparents lived there. My maternal grandfather was Dr. Lewis N. Stuckey, longtime pastor of Tyler Street United Methodist Church in Oak Cliff and author of the lyrics to the SMU song “Varsity,” my grandmother Louise Stuckey taught music at Sunset High School in Oak Cliff for many years, and my paternal grandfather Herbert C. Hofheinz owned and operated Hofheinz Monument Works near Oakwood Cemetary.
I attended Eckerd College, McMurry University in Abilene (BA 1979) where my father taught, and The University of Texas School of Law (JD 1979), and was admitted to the bar in Texas in 1979. After law school, I practiced in Fort Worth and San Antonio, then returned to Abilene to establish my own firm. I moved to Dallas in 1990. From 1991 through 1997 I was an Associate Professor of law at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, while maintaining a limited consulting legal practice, and returned to private practice full-time in 1997. My office is located in the northern Lakewood area of Dallas. I have been Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for over 27 years, and emphasize probate and trust litigation, estate planning and administration, and mediation in my practice.
I have developed commercial software and have substantial technical competence in web and database-related programming. I have spoken and published on numerous law practice management, estate planning and computer related topics. A complete vita and additional information is on my law firm website at www.hofheinzlaw.com/wwhvita.php.
I have four children, ranging in age from 32 to 15. I am active member of First Unitarian Church of Dallas, where I have sung in the Sanctuary Choir for sixteen years. In addition, I have served in various congregational positions, including the Music Committee and Intern Committee. In the past, I have served in a number of professional and charitable roles. I do metal art, photography, and pen and ink mandalas (see www.ninetydays.com), as well as read widely.