Ed Hochuli

Edward G. Hochuli was born on December 25, 1950, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and later moved to Tucson, Arizona, at age eight. He excelled in football, basketball, wrestling, and track during his high school years at Canyon del Oro High School, earning all-state honors twice in football. Hochuli pursued higher education at the University of Texas at El Paso, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972, where he also played as a linebacker from 1969 to 1972, receiving All-Western Athletic Conference academic honors. Influenced by his father, a wills and estate planner, Hochuli continued his academic journey in law, achieving his Juris Doctor from the University of Arizona Law School in 1976. During law school, he clerked for United States District Judge Carl Muecke for two years.

Hochuli began his officiating career in Pop Warner football to supplement his income during law school, eventually progressing to high school and college games for the Big Sky Conference and Pacific-10 Conference as a line judge. In 1983, he co-founded the Arizona law firm Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, P.L.C., where he sustained a decorated career as a trial lawyer, handling over 150 trials. His legal expertise covered civil litigation, including bad faith, extra-contractual liability, and product liability defense. He was recognized as “Best Lawyers in America” since 2003 and a “Southwest Super Lawyer” in 2007.

His NFL officiating career began in 1990 as a back judge, and he quickly rose to the position of referee in 1992. Over 28 seasons, Hochuli officiated two Super Bowls (XXXII and XXXVIII) and five conference championship games. He became known for his clear explanations of rules and his distinctive physique. Retiring in March 2018, his legacy continues through his son, Shawn Hochuli, who is also an NFL referee. Throughout his dual careers, Hochuli has often compared the pressure and competitive nature of the courtroom to that of the football field.