Atty Jose Maria G Hofileña (27 September 1961 – 26 February 2026) (Memo U2526-073)

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It is with deep sadness that we inform the University community of the passing of Atty Jose Maria “Joey” G Hofileña, Dean of the Ateneo Law School on 26 February 2026.

Joey was a true-blue Atenean, completing his elementary education in 1975 and secondary education in 1979. He graduated with honors in 1983 with an AB in Interdisciplinary Studies. In 1987, he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from Ateneo Law School, distinguishing himself as Class Valedictorian and recipient of the Evelio Javier Leadership Award. He ranked 10th in the 1987 Bar Examinations. He obtained his Master of Laws (LLM) from Harvard Law School in 1990.

Joey first joined the ALS as a faculty member in 1994 and quickly became an integral part of the ALS community. He also served as chair of the Commercial Law and Intellectual Property Department at ALS until his appointment as Dean in 2018.  His leadership abilities were honed with a career at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (1996-2012) and valuable experiences at law firms such as Johnson & Gibbs in Dallas, Texas and McDermott Will & Emery in New York City. Joey also contributed his expertise to the IBP Law Journal Editorial Board.

We request the Ateneo community to keep Joey and his family in your prayers. He is survived by his wife, Chay Hofileña (AB Philosophy 1984), parents, Justice Hector (AB 1951, LLB 1954) and Chita, and siblings Jun (GS 1970, HS 1974, BS Management Engineering 1979), Jimmy (GS 1974, HS 1978, AB Philosophy 1982) and Joaquin (GS 1980, HS 1984, BS Management Engineering 1988). He was preceded in death by his brother Jess (GS 1968, HS 1972, AB Psychology 1976).

Eternal rest grant unto Joey, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.