Mark L. Hoffman, J.D., Ph.D., President

Mark Hoffman is a practicing trial attorney, licensed in the State of Ohio, the District of Columbia and in the Federal Courts. In addition to his law degree, Mark also earned a PhD in Mass Communications from Case Western Reserve University. A frequent speaker and author on creative approaches to demonstrative evidence, he has been an innovator and leader in the effective use of film, video and photography in litigation.

Mark is a member of the Cleveland, Ohio and American Bar Associations, The American Association for Justice, The Ohio Association for Justice and the Cleveland Academy of Trial Lawyers. Mark, along with Jesse Epstein, founded Advocate Films Inc. in 1978 with the vision that the ongoing revolution in visual technologies could be successfully adapted for effective use in supporting the litigation and settlement efforts of attorneys.

Jesse Epstein, MA, Executive Producer

An award-winning non-fiction video producer and educator, Jesse Epstein has produced successful films and videos for the legal profession for nearly 30 years. Presently on the adjunct faculties of the New School, Touro College and New York University, Mr. Epstein works in all aspects of media production, including writing, photography, music, cinematography, computer-based design, and non-linear editing.

Previously, he was a principal in a media and graphic design company that produced projects for a variety of clients in industry, government, health and human services and the arts. He was a long-time adjunct professor at the Cleveland Institute of Art, teaching courses in film, video and multi-media production. A graduate of Antioch College and The New School, Mr. Epstein studied documentary filmmaking with Richard Leacock on a Danforth Foundation Fellowship at MIT.

Gina Rizzolo-Epstein, MA, Producer and Editor

A producer of short non-fiction films, Gina Rizzolo-Epstein serves Advocate Films Inc. as a production coordinator, videographer, and non-linear editor. She has also worked as an Associate Producer on the PBS documentary series, Character Studies, focusing on production coordination, audio recording, and the researching of source materials and rights and clearances, for both the series and its educational curriculum.

A Master of Arts graduate of the New School Media Studies and Film program, Ms. Rizzolo-Epstein has produced theatrical productions off-Broadway and is also currently also affiliated with New York Squadron Productions and J&G Media. Previously, she served as a Global Leader for the Landmark Education-Team Management Leadership Program.