Age: Old enough to know better and young enough to do it anyway.
Family: Son, Wesley Dillingham.
Pets: A feisty, wire-haired fox terrier named Casey, who was a rescue.
Education: Duke University, A.B. English and anthropology, cum laude, 1979. Washington and Lee University, Juris Doctor, 1983.
Admitted to the Bar: May 24, 1984.
Employed by: Terrell Hogan
Field of practice: Civil justice, consumer, personal injury, environmental, and election law.
Professional organizations: The Jacksonville Bar Association; D.W. Perkins Bar Association, 2006-present; Jacksonville Justice Association Board, 2011-present; Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association; Florida Justice Association; American Association for Justice; National Association for Consumer Advocates.
Community involvement:
Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board, 1992-99; Mimi and Lee Adams Environmental Advisory Board, 1993-98; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, North Florida Chapter board, 1999-2004; Democratic Women's Information Network, founding member-present; Jacksonville Area Legal Aid board, 2000-09, 2006 chair; Florida Democratic Lawyers Council, Duval lead counsel, 2000-present; The Florida Bar 4th Circuit Fee Arbitration Committee, 2000-04; Justice Teaching, 2007-present; The Florida Bar Judicial Independence Committee, 2008-12; Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Foundation board, 2009-present; JALACARE, 2009-11; Florida Legal Services Board, 2010-present; 4th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, 2010-present; Duval Election Advisory Panel, 2009-present, 2011-12 chair; St. Johns Riverkeeper legal committee, 2010-present; Florida's Children First board, 2010-11; The Jacksonville Bar Association's Professionalism and Judicial Relations committees, 2011-present; End Distracted Driving Student Initiative, 2012-present; Sierra Club Florida legal committee, 2012-present.
How did you become involved?
Either I volunteered or I didn't say "no" when asked.
How can someone else become involved?
It's simple, just do as I did — volunteer with organizations or causes you are passionate about and don't say "no" if someone asks you to help and you feel your help can make a difference.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
That happiness is achieved through the giving of yourself and coming to know the truth in what Margaret Mead said so beautifully, "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have."
What was the last book you read or are reading?
I have a bad habit of reading several at a time, which makes me a slower finisher. One that I am currently reading and about to finish is John Irving's "Until I Find You" — I am way behind on one of my favorite authors.