Katie Dearing is the founder and owner of The Dearing Law Firm and president-elect of The Jacksonville Bar Association. She also is currently the only candidate who has filed for the 2018 election to replace her father-in-law, retiring Circuit Judge Peter Dearing, on the 4th Judicial Circuit bench. Admitted to The Florida Bar in 1999, Dearing was an assistant state attorney until 2003, and then a shareholder at Liles, Gavin, Costantino, George & Dearing before she established The Dearing Law firm in 2012.
Who or what inspired you to become a lawyer?
I do not remember a time when I wanted to be anything other than a lawyer. I grew up watching “Law & Order” and I liked to convince people I was right. Being a prosecutor seemed like the only job for me.
How do you relate your undergraduate degree to your practice of law?
My practice now is business litigation. My undergraduate degree is in criminology. There is not much common ground between those fields, so I don’t rely on it as often as I did when I was a prosecutor.
How did you decide your practice area? And why have you chosen business litigation?
I knew when I left the State Attorney’s Office that I wanted to be a judge someday. Some mentors advised me to get civil litigation experience so that I would be a more balanced jurist when that time came. On that advice, I joined a small firm of very talented, experienced litigators who loved what they did. I took to the civil side quickly and have enjoyed it ever since.
What has been the biggest change in your practice area since you passed the Bar?
There is more pressure now to compete for business because the supply and demand factors in the legal profession have changed.
If I could change anything in the legal system, I would ...
Fund it more and move it along faster.
What community service have you pursued and why?
I sought out leadership in The Jacksonville Bar Association because I like lawyers and I wanted to contribute — to help make our lives and work easier, better and more fun. The JBA gave me an opportunity to meet other lawyers (which is good for business) and to forge true friendships with people who understand the life of a lawyer.
I chair the school advisory council at my kids’ elementary school because I am passionate about education and ensuring differentiated learning experiences for all children.
I volunteer as a Sunday school teacher at our church because it’s important to contribute in all aspects of our community and to set that lesson for our children so they become engaged citizens.
I served on the Jacksonville Ethics Commission because I believe it’s important to engage with government at all levels, and make sure that government is open and transparent.
I served on the board of Girls Inc. because, as the middle child of three girls and the daughter of a strong mother, I know the importance of being strong, smart and bold, which Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be. As the mother of sons, I wanted an avenue to assist girls who were not as fortunate as I was.
One piece of advice for new lawyers?
Network early. Get out of the office for lunch and get involved in Bar and community organizations. There is a pressure as a young lawyer to do nothing but bill time and please the partners. That is important, but it’s equally important to carve out time for your own career. Networking will generate business and help you meet lawyers outside your firm, some of whom will become your dearest friends.