William James Hoffmeyer, Attorney at Law
W. James Hoffmeyer (Jim) graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1992, after attending the University of South Carolina for undergraduate studies.
Initially, Mr. Hoffmeyer began practicing law with the firm of Nettles and Nettles, a litigation firm. After approximately 5 years, he became a partner and the law firm was renamed Nettles, McBride, and Hoffmeyer. In early 2002, Mr. Hoffmeyer opened his own firm, The Law Office of W. James Hoffmeyer. Since opening his firm in 2002, Mr. Hoffmeyer has practiced primarily in the areas of criminal defense (both State and Federal criminal cases), personal injury, family court, and other litigation related matters.
Mr. Hoffmeyer is admitted in all state courts in South Carolina and is also admitted to the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has argued before the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the Fourth Circuit Court of appeals in Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Hoffmeyer has handled a variety of criminal cases from serious felonies such as murder, including those in which the death penalty was sought, drug cases, armed robbery, domestic violence 1st degree and criminal sexual conduct to misdemeanor cases such as DUI and domestic violence 2nd or 3rd degree and all other types of criminal matters as well. Mr. Hoffmeyer has also handled many civil cases in the Court of Common Pleas, in Family Court, and in the United States District Court.
Mr. Hoffmeyer is death penalty certified and a member of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Josefina Ruiz, Legal Assistant
Josefina Ruiz is a lifelong resident of South Carolina and graduated from Timmonsville High school in May 2018. After high school Josefina attended Florence-Darlington Technical College where she participated in the paralegal program. While at Florence-Darlington Technical College earning her Paralegal Degree she interned at the Law Office of W. James Hoffmeyer. Josefina graduated from Florence-Darlington Technical College with an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal studies in May 2020. Josefina came to work as a paralegal at the Law Firm of W. James Hoffmeyer on February 21, 2022.
Josefina does many things in her role as a paralegal at the law firm including intake interviews with clients, scheduling, preparing pleadings, preparing orders and responding to discovery. Josefina attends and assists Mr.Hoffmeyer when he is in trial and also assists him in other hearings as well. Josefina is fluent in Spanish and at times translates for Mr. Hoffmeyer if a client, witness, or other interested party prefers to communicate in Spanish. Outside the office, Josefina has a large family and enjoys spending time with them.
Haley E. Ruple, Legal Assistant
Haley Ruple is from Bishopville, South Carolina and has worked for years as a legal assistant in the Pee Dee Area before joining the Law Office of W. James Hoffmeyer. Haley Ruple assists Mr. Hoffmeyer in all areas of his practice.
Miss Ruple is very experienced and assists Mr. Hoffmeyer in preparing orders, motions and other legal documents in criminal and civil cases. She also assists Mr. Hoffmeyer in filing lawsuits as well as responding to them. Miss Ruple maintains Mr. Hoffmeyer's calendar and is often the first point of contact with clients. She is involved in assisting clients directly and helping them to better understand the process during the pendency of their case. She provides clients with updates as well. Miss Ruple does electronic filings required in Federal Criminal Cases and required in Civil filings in the Court of Common Pleas in State Court. Miss Ruple also assists with discovery requests in Civil and Criminal Cases. In her spare time Miss Ruple enjoys spending time with her daughter and her dog, Bella.
Kristin Diamante, Legal Assistant
Kristin Diamante is from Colorado Springs, Colorado. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and Colorado Technical University. Kristin and her husband relocated to Effingham, South Carolina in February 2018 and now call it home. Kristin assists Mr. Hoffmeyer in various administrative tasks as well as legal document preparation and communication with clients. She also assists Mr. Hoffmeyer with various office accounting responsibilities. In her free time, Kristin enjoys working in her garden and doing various DIY projects. She also enjoys spending time with her two Shiba dogs and giant Norwegian Forest Cat.
Alfred Horacio Hercules Zeus Reginald Aquarius Ontavious Hoffmeyer I, II, and III
Alfred was born in Monks Corner, South Carolina on February 19, 2017 and moved to Florence, South Carolina in April of that same year. Alfred has been a fixture at the Law Office of W. James Hoffmeyer for quite some time now. His responsibilities include, but are not limited to, notifying the office of new arrivals, greeting clients, and brightening the office. In his spare time, Alfred likes listening to music, watching T.V., going to movies, chasing squirrels, begging for crumbs, reading, and making new friends.
