“I’ve been involved in the legal profession since I was 19: as a runner, secretary, legal assistant, office manager, lawyer and now skills professor. The profession has been my life. “Every individual has the potential to change society, and lawyers are even more able to do so — for good or bad. Your reputation is all you have; it’s the most important thing. Be good people first and lawyers second. Life is short: do it today, be careful of what you do, and don’t take shortcuts. “Over the years, I’ve seen changes in the profession, but lawyer jokes aside, I’ve been fortunate in knowing and working with many good people — incredible people.”

Education/Background

B.S.B.A. (Finance, with high honors), J.D., University of Florida (with honors), Order of the Coif, editor-in-chief and senior research editor, Florida Law Review. Became a sole practitioner in 1994 after working in the Gainesville firm of Henry L. Gray, PA. Began teaching at UF College of Law in 1996. Executive Board: American Inns of Court. Board of Directors: Eighth Judicial Bar Association. Officer: Eighth Judicial Bar Association; Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Eighth Circuit Chapter. Member: Florida Blue Key, UF College of Law Alumni Council, National Alumni Association, Beta Gamma Sigma (Business School Honors Society), Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, Florida Law Review Alumni Association, Legal Writing Institute. What You May Not Know Tomlinson lives with four dogs and two parrots. An avid fan of jazz and rock ’n roll, she still loves the Beatles (especially Paul). Last year, she discovered Play Station 2, and particularly enjoys Need for Speed, ATV and Pac Man. Her late husband was Jim Tomlinson, Eighth Circuit Judge.