Danielle is the owner of Hawkes Family Law, a litigation firm focused only on family law issues. Danielle received her law degree in 2010 from the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law. She serves on the Family Law Executive Committee for the Utah State Bar (in leadership positions, including Chair Person, 2019-2022). She also serves in leadership for the Lawyers Helping Lawyers committee for the Utath State Bar.
Danielle frequently speaks regarding family law in Utah as well as LGBT rights and legal strategies. In 2021-22, Danielle developed and advocated for an inaugural year-long series of family law education sessions for judges around the state. Once approved, she created a sub-committee of the Family Law Executive Committee and led that committee through the full implementation of the series. In 2015 she spoke in front of approximately 200 Utah judges giving a legal update on LGBT issues at the Utah Judicial Institute. She was asked to return and give a similar talk to the Utah Justice Court Judges at their conference in 2017 and then again for the judges in 2020. In 2021, she gave a diversity presentation to all of the Family Law Commissioners at their annual retreat. She has given similar presentations for several other family law groups in the state. She has ranked as a top 10 under 40 in Utah by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys. She has also been named to Utah's Legal Elite by Utah Business Magazine as well as a Mountain States Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine for several years. Danielle has served on the board of the Family Law Executive Committee, at the Utah State Bar, including sitting as secretary, vice-chair, and chair for one (1) year each. She also serves on the board of Lawyers Helping Lawyers at the Utah State Bar. Danielle served a six (6) year term on the Board of Directors for the ACLU of Utah, which included one year as vice-chair and two years as the chair of the Board.
After graduating from law school Danielle served a one-year fellowship in Washington DC with Georgetown Law and the Law Students for Reproductive Justice working in women’s and immigrants’ rights with the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.
During law school, Danielle was a staff member of the S.J. Quinney College of Law’s Journal of Law and Family Studies where she published two notes. The first, Locking up Children: Lessons from the T. Don Hutto Family Detention Center, explores the emerging trend of detaining immigrant families, including very young children, in private for profit detention facilities. The second, Elective Surgery: When Parental and Medical Opinion Supersedes a Child’s Right to Choose, discusses discretionary medical procedures for children including hysterectomies for physically disabled children, cosmetic surgery for children with Down’s syndrome, cochlear implants, reparative therapy, and psycho-altering drugs. In addition, she competed in the Pace National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition where she won two best oralist awards.
Danielle served as the student coordinator for the Guadalupe Legal Clinic, a low income legal clinic, and was a co-founder of Rainbow Law, a free legal clinic focusing on LGBT law in Salt Lake City, and as the president of OutLaws, S.J. Quinney’s queer student group. She also served as a legal intern at the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah (ACLU of Utah) and worked as a law clerk for Strindberg & Scholnick, LLC, an employment discrimination law firm.
Upon graduation from law school, Danielle received the Outstanding Law Graduate of the S.J. Quinney College of Law Award from the National Association of Women Lawyers and a runner up award from the National LGBT Bar Association. Before attending law school Danielle lived in São Paulo, Brazil for one year as a Rotary exchange student, served as an intern at the Brazilian embassy in Washington, D.C., and worked as a senior business analyst in the insurance industry.
Languages spoken
Portuguese, English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
UT | Active | 2011 | 05/07/2022 |
Legal answers | 1 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Utah Legal Elite | Utah Business Magazine | 2022 |
Salt City Best #1 Family Law Attorney | Salt Lake Tribune Salt City Best | 2021 |
Mountain States Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2020 |
Mountain States Rising Star | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2019 |
2018 Mountain States Rising Star | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2018 |
2017 Mountain States Rising Star | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2017 |
Top 10 Attorneys Under 40 | National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys | 2017 |
Utah Legal Elite | Utah Business Magazine | 2016 |
2016 Mountain States Rising Star | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2016 |
Named Best Lawyer - Salt Lake | Q Magazine | 2014 |
Outstanding Law Graduate of U of U SJQ College of Law | National Association of Women Lawyers | 2010 |
Student Leadership Award - Runner Up | National LGBT Bar Association | 2010 |
Georgetown Women's Law and Public Policy Fellowship | Georgetown Law School and LSRJ | 2010 |
Pro Bono Award | Salt Lake County Bar Association | 2009 |
2 x Leadership Initiative Monetary Award Recipient | University of Utah SJQ College of Law | 2009 |
Service Scholarship Recipient | Utah Minority Bar Association | 2008 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner | Hawkes Family Law | 2011 - Present |
Founding Partner | The Salt Lake Lawyers | 2013 - 2018 |
Lawyer | National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health | 2010 - 2011 |
Law Clerk | Strindberg & Scholnick, LLC | 2009 - 2010 |
Legal Intern | Salt Lake City Prosecutor's Office | 2009 - 2010 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts | Member | 2019 - Present |
Utah State Bar | Wellness Committee Member | 2019 - Present |
Utah State Bar | Family Law Executive Committee Member | 2017 - Present |
Lawyers Helping Lawyers | Secretary and Vice Chair | 2020 - 2023 |
ACLU of Utah | Board Member | 2015 - 2020 |
Aldon J. Anderson American Inn of Court | Member | 2014 - 2018 |
Stonewall Democrats | Board Member | 2012 - 2013 |
American Military Partner Association | National Advisory Board Member | 2011 - 2012 |
Equality Utah | Legal Panel Member | 2008 - 2014 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
JURIST | Military Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses Advances Equality | 2012 |
Utah Law Review | Elective Surgery: When Parental and Medical Opinion Supersedes a Child's Right to Choose | 2009 |
Journal of Law and Family Studies | Locking up Children: Lessons from the T. Don Hutto Family Detention Center | 2008 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2010 |
University of Utah | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2004 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Annual Judge's Conference | Family Law Question and Answer Session | 2022 |
Annual Family Law Seminar | Case Law Update | 2020 |
Justice Court Annual Conference | LGBT Legal Update | 2020 |
Therapeutic Remedies in Family Law | Family Law CLE | 2019 |
Ongoing Therapist Training | Subpoenas for Therapists | 2019 |
Annual Family Law Seminar | Alimony: Navigating the Evolving Landscape | 2019 |
Justice Court Employee Presenation | Transgender People and the Law | 2019 |
Federal Court Employee Presentation | Transgender People and the Law | 2019 |
Fall Forum | Using Rule 4-904 and Informal Trials Effectively | 2019 |
L3 Employee Update | Transgender People and the Law | 2019 |
Utah Psychological Association Seminar | Custody Evaluations | 2019 |
Mediation Brown Bag | Special Considerations in Domestic Violence Mediation | 2018 |
Fall Forum | The Soul of a Lawyer | 2018 |
Domestic Violence Community Discussion | Domestic Violence Legal Update | 2018 |
Family Law Bar Section CLE | Alimony and Child Support: Tips and Tricks | 2018 |
Justice Court Judges' Spring Conference | LGBT Legal Update | 2017 |
Community Discussion Group | The 14th Amendment | 2017 |
National ACLU Leadership Conference | Building a Leadership Program | 2017 |
Legal Clinic Training | Trans Legal Update for Practitioners | 2016 |
Continuing Legal Education | Family Law Legal Update | 2016 |
Screening and Panel Discussion | The Future of TRAP Laws - Panelist | 2016 |
Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference | Mediating with LGBT Clients | 2016 |
Utah Judicial Institute | LGBTQ Legal Update | 2015 |
Utah State Bar Fall Forum | LGBT Law Update | 2015 |
Known Your Rights Panel | Family Law - Know Your Rights Panel | 2014 |
BYU Local Government Annual Conference | LGBT Law | 2014 |
Panelist | Rights of Transgender People | 2014 |
BYU Presentation - Educating Law Students on LGBT Law | LGBT Law | 2013 |
Know Your Rights Seminars | Know Your Rights | 2013 |
Solo Firm Practice | Starting a Solo Practice | 2013 |
Utah State Bar, Young Lawyers Section | Mentoring Marathon | 2013 |
Law for Transgender Individuals | Law for Transgender Individuals | 2013 |
Women's Rights Panel | Women's Rights Panel | 2013 |
BYU Local Government Annual Conference | LGBT Law | 2013 |
Monthly CLE Lunch | LGBT Employment CLE | 2013 |
Genderevolution | Legal Name and Gender/Sex Change | 2012 |
Civil Liberties and Public Policy Annual Conference | Progressive Visions for Immigrant Rights | 2011 |
Embedded Bodies: Reproductive Justice in Social Context | Embedded Bodies: The Latina Perspective | 2010 |
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Tamara Rasch, Family Attorney on Sep 24, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Dani is an expert in family law. She not only uses her knowledge to represent her clients; she is generous in sharing her knowledge with other attorneys. She is a shining example of striving for personal excellence, while encouraging and elevating your peers.
Casey Hoyer, Family Attorney on Apr 1, 2019
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I consider Dani a subject matter expert in family law. Her knowledge and experience informs her when to fight and when to settle. I have always found her to be the consummate professional. I have referred prospective clients to her and will continue to do so.
Tamara Rasch, Family Attorney on Sep 24, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Dani is an expert in family law. She not only uses her knowledge to represent her clients; she is generous in sharing her knowledge with other attorneys. She is a shining example of striving for personal excellence, while encouraging and elevating your peers.
Casey Hoyer, Family Attorney on Apr 1, 2019
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I consider Dani a subject matter expert in family law. Her knowledge and experience informs her when to fight and when to settle. I have always found her to be the consummate professional. I have referred prospective clients to her and will continue to do so.
Matthew Bell, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jul 6, 2018
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse Danielle. Dani is an excellent attorney. She is intelligent, knowledgeable, reasonable, and a zealous advocate for her clients.
Justin Hamady, Divorce and separation Attorney on Oct 27, 2017
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse Danielle. Dani is an incredible and knowledgeable attorney, a great mentor, and a wonderful person to be around. She cares about her clients and shows true integrity in her work.
Aaron Nielson, Family Attorney on Apr 25, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Michelle Diamond, Unknown Attorney on Oct 8, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Dani is a wonderful attorney. She has incredible negotiation skills. I have referred many people to her for family law matters.
Tara Isaacson, Family Attorney on Oct 2, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Dani is a terrific lawyer. She has great judgment and enjoys a good reputation in the legal community. I highly recommend her.
Samuel Goble, Family Attorney on Jul 11, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
She is a "bulldog with lipstick" in court. A very conscientious lawyer who takes care of her clients.
Anita Dickinson, Family Attorney on Jan 29, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Danny has tenacity and wit and she thinks and looks outside the box for solutions. She's a great attorney who really cares for her clients best interests.
Ann Marie Taliaferro, Family Attorney on Oct 28, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. A kind "pit bull!" Knowledgeable and caring-- who will fight tooth and nail for persons and causes she believes in. One who you definitely want in your corner!
Christopher Wharton, Employment and labor Attorney on Sep 13, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Danielle is an experienced and well-informed advocate, particularly in the area of employment law. She is passionate about ensuring and workplace equality and just compensation for her clients. She is my go-to person for all employment law issues and I highly recommend her services.
Michael Holje, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 8, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Danielle is a very passionate and skilled attorney who fights hard for her clients. There is no "small case" to her, and she approaches everything she does with optimism, enthusiasm and a very professional attitude. These attributes translate into consistently excellent results for her clients.
Philip Wormdahl, Employment and labor Attorney on Dec 14, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Danielle is a dedicated attorney who works hard to get justice for her clients. I have referred friends and clients to her in the past and do so without hesitation. I wholeheartedly endorse her as a lawyer.