Walter Edward Hoffman (July 18, 1907 – November 21, 1996) was a United States federal judge.
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Hoffman received a B.S. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1928, attended the College of William and Mary School of Law, and received an LL.B. from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1931. He was in private practice in Norfolk, Virginia from 1931 to 1954, and was an assistant professor of law at the College of William and Mary School of Law from 1933 to 1942. He was a Referee in Bankruptcy for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia from 1942 to 1944.
On June 29, 1954, Hoffman was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia created by 68 Stat. 8. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 14, 1954, and received his commission the following day. He served as chief judge from 1961 to 1973, assuming senior status on September 3, 1974. While serving in this capacity, he was the director of the Federal Judicial Center from 1974 to 1977. Hoffman served for 42 years, until his death, in Norfolk. The Walter E. Hoffman United States Courthouse in Norfolk is named in his honor.