News Release

September 19, 2023

Contact: Public Affairs

(202) 502-4500 | pubaffairs@ussc.gov

UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION NAMES
ALAN DORHOFFER AS DIRECTOR OF THE
OFFICE OF EDUCATION AND SENTENCING PRACTICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The United States Sentencing Commission is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Dorhoffer as the permanent Director of the Office of Education and Sentencing Practice (ESP).

“Alan has been serving as Acting Director of ESP since February and has demonstrated outstanding leadership during this time. Notably, he successfully led this year’s National Judges Seminar in Seattle and the National Training Seminar in Los Angeles, both of which were highly acclaimed,” stated Kenneth Cohen, Staff Director of the Commission. “He has been the primary point of contact between the Commission and those who implement the guidelines day-to-day. Alan’s ability to distill and effectively communicate changes to the guidelines, along with his extensive institutional knowledge, make him the ideal candidate for this role.”

Prior to his role as Acting Director of the Office of Education and Sentencing Practice, Mr. Dorhoffer served as Deputy Director of ESP from 2008 through January 2023. Additionally, he held the position of Senior Staff Attorney in ESP from 2000 to 2008. In these roles, he played a pivotal role in training thousands of individuals, including judges, probation officers, and attorneys, on the operation of the Guidelines in the federal system.

Mr. Cohen expressed his appreciation, saying, “Alan has consistently excelled in every position he has held at the Commission. His unwavering commitment to the Commission's training mission is truly commendable.”

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The United States Sentencing Commission, an independent agency in the judicial branch of the federal government, was organized in 1985 to develop a national sentencing policy for the federal courts. The resulting sentencing guidelines provide structure for the courts’ sentencing discretion to help ensure that similar offenders who commit similar offenses receive similar sentences.