Jeffrey Dion
Director, National Crime Victim Bar Association

Websites:

• Jeffrey Dion on Emurse

Jeffrey R. Dion is the current Director for the National Crime Victim Bar Association, an affiliate of of the National Center for Victims of Crime. In this position since 1998, Jeff Dion is responsible for providing strategic leadership to the organization and ensuring it is actively achieving its goal of integrating an expanded awareness of the legal rights available to victims of crime as provided by the American criminal justice system. To this end, Jeff Dion works closely with other local, state, and national organizations committed to victims' rights. A licensed attorney, Jeff Dion also leads educational seminars for attorneys on litigating civil actions brought by crime victims. Renowned as a speaker, Jeff Dion lectures throughout the country on the need for greater communication between crime victims and attorneys, as well as the need for stronger psychological care for crime victims.

Prior to assuming leadership of the National Crime Victim Bar Association, Jeff Dion was a citizen lobbyist for victims' rights and a Governor's Fellow in the Office of the Virginia Attorney General. In this capacity, Jeff Dion worked directly under the Deputy Attorney General on the preparation of legal documents for trials, policy research, and official opinions for the Attorney General. Jeff Dion began his career as a Law Clerk to the Judges of Virginia's 17th Judicial Circuit, and as a civil litigator with the firm of Hudgins, Carter & Coleman in Alexandria, Virginia.

A graduate of the George Mason University School of Law, Jeff Dion began advocating for victims' rights at the age of 14 when his older sister, Paulette, was murdered. Since then, Jeff Dion has fought tirelessly to help others cope with the trauma of violent crime. To this end, Jeff Dion successfully lobbied the Virginia General Assembly to pass 13 victims' rights bills into law. For his efforts in this regard, Jeff Dion has been honored with a number of distinctions, including the 2005 Northern Virginia Victim Assistance Coalition Champion Award and the 2006 Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award.

Proficient in public policy, funding and service-delivery issues related to homicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking (including the use of technology to stalk), identity theft, child sexual abuse, elder abuse, mass trauma arising from terrorism, victim compensation, restitution, and victimization in special needs populations.

George Mason University: 1985-1990 - BA in International Studies

George Mason University School of Law: 1990-1993 - Juris Doctor in Law - George Mason Civil Rights Law Journal American Inn of Court

National Center for Victims of Crime: 1998 - Present - Director, National Crime Victim Bar Association - Provide strategic leadership and operational management for the National Crime Victim Bar Association, which seeks to integrate an increased awareness of the civil remedies available to victims of crime into the criminal justice system and to provide technical assistance to attorneys representing victims in civil actions. Forge collaborative relationships with allied organizations on a state and national level. Counsel crime victims on the rights and remedies available to them. Often described as an inspiring and motivational speaker; in high demand as a keynote speaker and seminar instructor to train attorneys, victim service providers, mental health providers, judges, law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals across the nation (thirty seven states to date) on issues related to victimization.

Hudgins, Carter and Coleman: 1996 - 1998 - Associate - Responsible for all aspects of civil litigation in a predominantly defense-oriented practice. Served as outside counsel to the Office of the Virginia Attorney General, and in that capacity represented sheriffs, local governments, and other constitutional officers in defense of civil claims.

Office of the Virginia Attorney General: 1991 - 1991 - Governor's Fellow - Appointed by Governor L. Douglas Wilder to work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Attorney General on major litigation and public policy issues. Conducted legal and factual research. Assisted in the preparation of pleadings and briefs, and development of cases for trial. Assisted in drafting official opinions of the Attorney General.