Lucas X. Dillon Sr. is an of counsel attorney at Bailey & Terranova in Okemos. He has practiced in the criminal and family courts of Michigan at the state and federal levels since 2012. A cum laude graduate of the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, Dillon earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in criminal justice from Defiance College in Ohio.
Since 2013, Dillon has been named “Charlotte’s Favorite Attorney” by The Lansing State Journal. He has been named by the National Trial Lawyers as a “Top 40 Under 40” in the area of criminal defense. Recently, he was named to SuperLawyers.com “Rising Star” list, which fewer than 2 percent of attorneys are awarded. In 2014, Dillon was appointed by a panel of judges and lawyers to serve as a federal defender for the Western District of Michigan.
Dillon and his wife Renee have four children: Lucas, Desmond, Genevieve, and James.
By Jo Mathis
Legal News
What is your proudest moment as a lawyer?
It’s a tie: Being named a federal panel attorney for the Western District of Michigan; and having a federal indictment dismissed on a motion to suppress. The client was offered roughly a 10-year plea deal, he rejected, and we won due to my motion. He walks a free man today.
When you were considering law school, what was Plan B?
To play in the NFL—that was the plan, but injuries put a halt to that.
What would surprise people about your job?
I drive about 30,000 miles per year.
What’s something you changed your mind about recently?
Being a solo practitioner. I came, I saw, I conquered. After seven years I needed a change, so I joined Bailey & Terranova in Okemos.
Favorite local hangouts?
Bowdies Chophouse, The Green Door.
Favorite websites?
Rivals.com, BlueAndGold.com, Crime Stoppers|Lansing.
What is your most treasured material possession?
Monogrammed cufflinks from my father, Thomas Dillon—they are about 50 years old with the “Dillon” crest.
What was always written on your grade school report card?
“Messy handwriting.”
What is your happiest childhood memory?
Summers on Devil’s Lake in Manitou Beach.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
Not the best compliment, but the most common compliment—your wife is so beautiful!
What do you wish someone would invent?
Just bring back Myspace and I would be good.
When you look back into the past, what do you miss most?
My waistline.
What is your most typical mood?
Comically agitated, but focused.
If you could have witnessed any event in history, what would it be?
Christmas 1776, on one of the boats with General Washington.
What were you doing in your last selfie?
Cooking with my daughter Geneviève.
What kind of time-managing system do you use?
I go by what Gandalf said in “Lord of the Rings.”… “A wizard is never early nor late, he arrives precisely when he means to.” I’m habitually late so I just face the wrath, then handle business.
What question do you most often ask yourself?
Why did I buy this house?
If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be?
Donald Trump. I would just sit there and Tweet all day.
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been?
Notre Dame Stadium. No, there’s not a close second.
What word /words do you overuse?
Cool beans.
What’s one thing you would like to learn to do?
Play the piano.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’m adopted. My adopted parents, or as I refer to them as my “old folks,” are 50 years older than me. My dad and I are the exact same size, have the same proclivities, same short temper and same health ailments. And yet we are not blood relations. Bizarre, I know!
What is the best advice you ever received?
Don’t make an important decision when you’re flush, but don’t make one when you’re bust.
What’s the one question you like to be asked?
“What are you? Like ... your race?” Then I get to tell people I’m Egyptian.
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