dina Filley hardwick:
Attorney Dina Filley Hardwick graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2004. She began her legal career practicing criminal defense with her family's law firm, The Filley Law Firm, in Victoria, Texas. While employed at the Filley Law Firm from 2004-2008, Dina handled a variety of criminal cases, including misdemeanors and serious felonies, ALR hearings for driver's license suspensions, and occupational driver's licenses. She successfully negotiated numerous dismissals or pretrial diversions on behalf of her clients. She also helped clients clean up their criminal record in order to obtain gainful employment by filing expunctions and motions for nondisclosure. In addition to her criminal law clients, Dina represented a variety of clients in general civil matters, including probate, guardianship, and landlord/tenant disputes. She proudly served as the Secretary of the Victoria County Bar Association from 2006-2008.

In the fall of 2008, Dina and her family moved to The Woodlands, Texas. At that time, she joined the Appellate Section of State Counsel for Offenders with The Texas Department of Criminal Justice. While working for TDCJ, Dina authored numerous criminal and civil appellate briefs, as well as 11.07 writs of habeas corpus and motions for judgment nunc pro tunc on behalf of incarcerated individuals. While many of her clients had legitimate appellate issues that directly affected their freedom, it was also Dina's job to guide her clients through the appellate process and show them why their claim may be considered frivolous and/or futile. She also worked with offender's families on putting plans in place for successful re-entry into society once they made parole or completed their term of incarceration. After three years with the State, Dina was ready for a new challenge.

In October of 2011, she accepted a position as the Probate Court Investigator and Court Visitor Program Supervisor of the Montgomery County Court at Law #2. This Court handles all probate and guardianship matters for Montgomery County, Texas. While serving in this role on the Court's staff, Dina was responsible for investigating all newly filed guardianship applications in order to determine if guardianship was the least restrictive alternative, filing applications for removal of guardian, filing applications for restoration of capacity of the ward, filing applications for successor guardian, and investigating instances of abuse of the elderly and disabled alongside Adult Protective Services. In addition to these duties, Dina successfully created and launched the Court Visitor Program from its inception. While overseeing this program, Dina and her volunteers were responsible for checking on the welfare of and reporting back to the Court on over 400 wards located within Montgomery County. She helped recruit community volunteers, developed curriculum, trained the volunteers, and was in charge of assigning cases to these volunteers. Dina regularly visited the State Schools, psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, personal care homes, and private residences in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable individuals in Montgomery County. The experience she gained while working for the Probate Court has given her invaluable perspective and insight into the probate and guardianship process.

Dina decided after two rewarding years with the Probate Court and a new baby, it was time to return to private law practice. She enjoys serving the citizens of Victoria, DeWitt, and the surrounding counties. She remains a strong advocate for individuals experiencing legal difficulties, special needs individuals requiring protection, individuals facing the loss of a loved one, or any individual that finds themselves caught up in a stressful legal situation.

Not only is Dina a proud wife and mother, she is a former classroom teacher, active in area youth sports programs, and is an avid supporter of the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Through this foundation, she and her family work hard each year to raise money to fund pediatric cancer research. Contact Dina so that she can put her compassion, dedication, and proven experience to work for you.