VADA Member Spotlight

This month’s spotlighted VADA member is Rod Dillman of Dillman Legal Group in Virginia Beach.  Rod is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the Washington & Lee University School of Law.  He is the Managing Partner of Dillman Legal Group in Virginia Beach.  He is a former Chair of VADA’s Medical Malpractice Section.

1.         Where were you born?

Roanoke, Virginia.

2.         Tell us a little about yourself.  Spouse? Children? Pets?

My wife, Stephanie, and I have been married since 2002.  Stephanie is the Impact Coordinator for The Honor Foundation, a career transition program dedicated to helping U.S. Special Operations Forces transition into the private sector as corporate and community leaders.

We are fortunate to have three wonderful children. Our daughter, Ashton, is a second-year student at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). Our son, Byron, is a Junior at Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, and our youngest, Connor, is in 5th grade at John B. Dey Elementary School.

Our two golden retrievers, Hank and Mac, round out our family. They are well-known around the neighborhood for their frequent walks with us and for occasionally staging daring escapes before being corralled into a neighbor’s backyard.

3.         What type of law do you practice?

My primary focus is complex civil litigation, specifically in medical malpractice defense, long-term and acute-care facility defense, and regulatory licensing board representation. Our work extends beyond healthcare into various other areas, offering an interesting and diverse practice.

4.         How long have you been a member of VADA?

Since approximately 2002.  I served as the Chair of the Medical Malpractice Section about a decade ago. 

5.         What have you enjoyed most about your time in VADA?

The relationships I’ve built with VADA colleagues across the Commonwealth have been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. VADA brings together an exceptional group of skilled attorneys who generously share their time and expertise. The opportunity VADA provides to collaborate and engage with such professionals while also earning CLE credits for highly relevant content is a tremendous benefit.

6.         What do you like most about practicing law?

Helping clients navigate challenging legal situations – ones they never anticipated and often find overwhelming – is one of the most fulfilling parts of my job. I also enjoy working alongside my colleagues, strategizing with my team, and crafting persuasive closing arguments to bring a case together in front of a jury.

7.         What book is currently on your beside table?

Shadow of Doubt by Brad Thor.

8.         What is your courtroom walkup music?

My courtroom walk-up music playlist includes:

• ·                     Thunderstruck (Live) –AC/DC
• ·                     Eminence Front – The Who
• ·                     California Love – 2Pac
• ·                     Limelight – Rush 
• ·                     Times Like These– Foo Fighters

9.         What is at the top of your bucket list?

Traveling to London and Paris, and visiting the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

10.       What is something you’ve tried once that you will never try again?

Cottage cheese.

11.       If you were to walk into my office, one of the first things you would notice would be …

All of the Wahoo paraphernalia.

12.       If I wasn’t practicing law, I would be …

In commercial real estate or medical device sales.

13.       What is your definition of the perfect weekend?

A bike ride through First Landing State Park in the morning, a day at my favorite spot on the Virginia Beach oceanfront, a quick swim in the pool mid-afternoon, followed by dinner by the water in the evening – all with sunny weather in the 80s and surrounded by friends and family. 

14.       When I am not in the office, I like to …

Spend time with family and friends, walk my dogs, lift weights, get outside as much as possible, enjoy dinners at great restaurants, play Texas Hold ‘Em, and go for runs or bike rides.

15.       What is your biggest pet peeve?

Disorganization.

16.       What do you consider to be your biggest professional accomplishment thus far?

It was humbling and incredibly rewarding to be able to offer every single member of my team at our office a chance to start with me at Dillman Legal Group, and each of them accepted the offer. Having such a dedicated and talented group of professionals willing to take this leap with me was a privilege.

17.       What talent or skill do you wish you had?

I wish I could play the drums.

18.       What do you know now about the practice of law that you wish you had known when you first passed the bar?

Focus on the clients – not just your supervisors. Your supervising attorneys will appreciate you more if they see you making meaningful decisions and putting in the effort for the client. Ultimately, we work for our clients, not our bosses. Also, mastering dictation – whether through cassette tapes back in the day or iPhone apps now – will save thousands of hours and improve efficiency.

19.       In what section of a bookstore is someone most likely to find you?

The magazine section, especially anything related to cars or sports.

20.       Who is the most interesting person you have ever met?

Dr. James Lampros, Jr., a fraternity brother of mine at UVA.

I met James in the fall of 1994 – my First Year and his Fourth Year. He earned an undergraduate degree in Art History, yet he transitioned that background into a successful career as a dermatopathologist. We later became roommates while he was in medical school at Eastern Virginia Medical School and I was in my first year of practicing law in Virginia Beach.

James had a remarkable mind –his knowledge of music, art, culture, and sports was second to none. He could recite statistics from the ACC, NFL, and NBA, yet also had an encyclopedic command of popular television shows and movies. James’ ability to bridge the gap between different worlds – as well as his hilarious wit and dedication as a friend –made him one of the most fascinating and well-rounded individuals I’ve ever known.

James passed away in August 2024, and the world lost an extraordinary person.