Partner
Throughout her professional career, Kathleen has served as a trial attorney representing the interests of crime victims, civil litigants & criminal defendants throughout New York State in both the Trial and Appellate Courts.
Kathleen has been teaching with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy since 1999 & has taught trial advocacy as a Special Professor of Law at her alma mater Hofstra University School of Law. She has lectured on a variety of topics & conducted training seminars for a number of insurance carriers, lawyers, construction companies, nursing homes, hospitals, as well as, law students on topics including trial techniques, civil practice, contracts, indemnification, insurance coverage, issues relating to assisted living facilities and the senior population, elder law, sexual abuse, ethics, as well as, criminal practice.
Kathleen received her Bachelor of Arts from Fairfield University in 1992. Thereafter, she was awarded her juris doctorate from Hofstra University School of Law in 1996 where she was awarded top honors for her trial advocacy skills. Upon graduation from Law School, Kathleen spent four years proudly serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County, prosecuting felonies in the Major Crime Bureau from inception through trial.
In 2000, Kathleen expanded her focus to civil practice where she handled the prosecution & defense of catastrophic injury cases, concentrating on risk assessment & risk management arising from complex tort litigation, including construction accidents, products liability claims, medical/dental malpractice, toxic torts, sexual abuse, elder abuse, defense of municipalities & premises liability, as well as, major concert venues, both directly and through promoters. Further, she has represented the profession in attorney disciplinary matters.
Kathleen has worked as a senior associate for both small & mid-sized civil litigation firms, as well as, in house counsel for Travelers Insurance. In 2020, Kathleen & her brother Thomas Dillon founded The Dillon Law Firm, LLP. In 2025, Kathleen came on board here at Devitt Spellman Barrett, LLP. She still remains focused on representing her clients using her trial advocacy skills which has been her passion, as well as, the focal point of her career.
Born & raised on Long Island, Kathleen lives in Setauket, New York. She is active in her church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Further, Kathleen volunteers at her local Inter-Faith Community Kitchen & Food Pantry, as well as, helps raise money for The American Cancer Society and The Special Olympics by participating in local events.
