James B. Hochman

(In Memoriam)

In September 2021, we said goodbye to Jim Hochman, our firm’s founder and a terrific attorney, mentor, and friend.

Jim Hochman was the worldliest traveler that you could ever meet, visiting all seven continents during his lifetime, and never let an opportunity to enjoy life go by. He loved traveling to different countries and scrapbooking his many experiences, from climbing the Himalayas to rounding Cape Horn. He had many passions in life, including sailing, mountain climbing, the arts, and playing golf. One of his greatest passions was Hochman & Plunkett, the firm he founded in 1979, where he spent most of his legal career advocating for injured people in Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation cases.

Jim earned his law degree from The Ohio State University in 1965, was admitted to practice law in Ohio the next year, and embarked on a distinguished legal career that spanned more than half a century. In 1970, Jim was appointed by Ohio Governor James Rhodes to be the youngest Judge in the state and then went on to serve over sixteen years as a County Court Judge, running successfully in several elections. Jim was a founding member of the Montgomery County Trial Lawyers Association as well as a member of the Ohio Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice. Prior to his death, the Ohio State Bar Association honored Jim for his service of more than 50 years to the legal profession. He also served as a member of the Board of Review for the Ohio Bureau of Unemployment Compensation.

A lifelong Dayton resident, Jim was actively committed to the Dayton community and loved to participate in community activities and civic organizations. He served as a Trustee for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and was involved with the Dayton Art Institute, where he liked to ride his bike as a child and took art classes throughout his life.

Jim passed away at the age of 80 in September 2021. He was survived by his wife, two children and three grandchildren.