Dawn concentrates her practice in complex commercial litigation defense including matters involving contractual disputes, construction defects, premises liability and catastrophic personal injury. She represents local agencies, businesses and business owners in civil litigation matters and has successfully defended clients against individual and class action claims in employment discrimination litigation.
Dawn handles litigation matters from initiation through arbitration or mediation, major jury trial or on appeal. She has conducted independent investigations on behalf of educational institution clients for alleged code-of-conduct violations, including claims of sexual misconduct. Dawn also served as an Arbitrator for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
Practices
- Granted summary judgment for our credit union client that repossessed Claimants’ vehicles after they failed to make payments and who then alleged that our client violated Pennsylvania’s Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) by failing to provide proper notice of repossession; the Court granted Motion for Summary Judgment for our client and denied Claimants’ class action certification motion.
- Defended an Am Law 100 law firm against claims of aiding and abetting fraud, and conspiracy to commit fraud, and assisted in securing a favorable settlement for the client
- Represented a leading technology firm in a conspiracy action, in violation of US antitrust laws, arising from the prevention of the standardization of certain mobile telecommunications positioning technologies on the 4G LTE system
- Represented government agency in defense of a civil rights action under Section 1983, which invoked Pennsylvania’s Animal law, at trial and on appeal
- Defended local agency, entitled to certain rights, privileges and immunities under Pennsylvania’s Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act, in premises liability and personal injury cases involving catastrophic personal injuries
- Represented large commercial lender in a confession of judgment action arising out of a breach and default under certain loan documents
- Represented corporate entity in motion to strike, or in the alternative open, a confessed judgment entered by a major bank
- Represented a general contractor in protracted litigation over defective and deficient foundation construction work and sloping floors in a condominium complex
- Represented an individual homeowner against a general contractor arising from multiple structural deficiencies with the home expansion and renovation work
- Advised law firm client whether the legal representation provided by certain attorneys fell below the applicable professional standards governing Pennsylvania lawyers
- Represented law firms in breach of contract actions to collect outstanding attorneys’ fees
Education
- Temple University, James E. Beasley School of Law, JD, 2003, cum laude
- University of Washington, Jackson School of International Studies, BA, 1997
- Distinction in International Studies
Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
Professional Memberships
- Philadelphia Bar Association
- Women in the Profession Committee Member
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
Languages
- English
Recognition
- Previously named to the Super Lawyers Philadelphia Rising Stars list in the area of Business Litigation