Dawn M. Saenz

PRO

Dawn M. Saenz

also known as Dawn M. Saenz

4.7
Rating: 9.0

Licensed for 13 years

Family Lawyer at Riverside, CA
Practice Areas: Family, Domestic Violence

6605 Palm Avenue, Riverside, CA

Virtual Consultation Available

About Dawn

Biography

You don't just need an attorney...you need the RIGHT attorney. Call us today to discuss your case.

When its' about your family, your children, and your future you need someone in your corner...

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Family 75%

75%
Domestic Violence 25%

25%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Top Contributor
Top Contributor
2026 2025 2022
...
+ 6
Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2023 2022 2020
...
+ 6

Licenses

Licensed in California for 13 years

State: California

Acquired: 2013

Active

No misconduct found

Location

The Law Office of Dawn M. Saenz

6605 Palm Avenue, Riverside, CA, 92506

dsaenzlaw.com/index.html

Online Presence

Other places you can find Dawn online.

Dawn M. Saenz's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

71 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 23 reviews | Child Custody

Posted by Lara G. | August 06, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

The best attorney in IE

I cannot thank Attorney Dawn M. Saenz enough for her exceptional support and legal expertise during one of the most difficult times in my life. Facing a divorce and custody battle involving domestic violence issues was overwhelming, but she guided me through every step with compassion, strength, and ...professionalism. Not only was she a skilled and knowledgeable attorney, but she also showed me compassion and understanding that went beyond the courtroom. Attorney Dawn M. Saenz was a steady, reassuring presence during one of the hardest seasons of my life. I genuinely felt that I was being fought for, not just legally, but with God’s grace and wisdom guiding the process. If you’re going through a divorce, custody dispute, or domestic violence situation, I wholeheartedly recommend Attorney Dawn M. Saenz. Her guidance made all the difference in helping me move forward with hope and security.

Dawn Saenz

Replied last August 07, 2025

I appreciate you taking the time to leave this review. I am happy with your results. You followed my legal advice, even when things were tough. You went through years of litigation, and a global pandemic, to finally conclude your case. I appreciate your kind words and your tenacity. Family court is hard. You never gave up! Good luck as you move forward.

Posted by Stephanie | September 08, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

You get what you pay for

If you want to win, this is the attorney for you. If you want someone to dominate the court room and put the ball in your court, this is the attorney for you. Divorce and custody is not pretty. Dawn will tell you the good, the bad and the ugly no matter how much it stings to hear. Just know that ther...e is a method to her way and she’s got your back 100%. Her billing is transparent and on time. It’s a beautiful thing to sit back in court and watch the magic happen.

Dawn Saenz

Replied last September 11, 2023

Thank you for taking the time to write a review. I appreciate you trusting my office with your legal needs. I appreciate my clients and their willingness to share their experiences. Please keep in mind that the success of any legal matter depends on the unique circumstances of each case: I cannot guarantee particular results for future clients based on successes I have achieved in past legal matters.

Posted by anonymous | April 08, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

An attorney who is worth it.

When I was losing faith and many lawyers told me they wouldn’t pick up my case I was referred by a coworker to call her. Dawn M. Saenz She was everything I expected and more from a attorney since day one. I made an appointment and after reviewing my case she excepted the challenge to represent me.... Having little hope I allowed her to take the wheel. Never would I of imagined, once again I would have the opportunity to be able to provide the stability our children needed. I was always treated with respect and although I was nervous when entering the court room she always made me feel comfortable. She became the guardian angel our children needed along this journey. Yes, it’s true you do get what you pay for, and in my case she was worth every cent.

Dawn Saenz

Replied last May 04, 2022

Thank you for taking the time to write a review. I appreciate you trusting my office with your legal needs. I appreciate my clients and their willingness to share their experiences. Please keep in mind that the success of any legal matter depends on the unique circumstances of each case: I cannot guarantee particular results for future clients based on successes I have achieved in past legal matters.

Posted by Shawn | November 14, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Recent Client

To Whom it may concern: When looking for an attorney, or any type of specialist for that matter, I generally look for someone who has a strong character. Someone, in my opinion, who has a good moral and ethical compass. Someone whos very efficient in what they do, who won't look down on you, or tell... you something is impossible. I look for someone who's well rounded and most of all, humble. Shortly after being referred to this Attorney from another great Attorney, I had the opportunity to work with counsel on defending my rights as a father; Best decision I've ever made. With her impeccable regard for the law. I only hope that if I ever need a new attorney, that they will be just as amazing, and hard working as Ms. Saenz Law firm and her amazing legal team. Often times it's overlooked just much work and dedication it takes for a team to be great in what they do, and I'd refer this legal team to any of my friends, family, or collogues. I hope this review helps to whoever is reading, you're in great hands.

Dawn Saenz

Replied last November 15, 2021

“Thank you for taking the time to write a review. I appreciate you trusting my office with your legal needs. I appreciate my clients and their willingness to share their experiences. Please keep in mind that the success of any legal matter depends on the unique circumstances of each case: I cannot guarantee particular results for future clients based on successes I have achieved in past legal matters.”

Posted by Janet | January 20, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Awesome lawyer

Mrs Saenz Has proven her self over and over on how both parents are just as important. She has really fought for equal time. We want to thank her for her hard work work and dedication for our families custody battle. Dawn Saenz is fighter for father’s right. Thank you

Dawn Saenz

Replied last January 20, 2021

“Thank you for taking the time to write a review. I appreciate you trusting my office with your legal needs. I appreciate my clients and their willingness to share their experiences. Please keep in mind that the success of any legal matter depends on the unique circumstances of each case: I cannot guarantee particular results for future clients based on successes I have achieved in past legal matters.”

See All Client Reviews

Dawn M. Saenz's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Dawn
Charles Christopher Adkins headshot
Charles Adkins

Family lawyer | Nov 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Dawn M. Saenz consistently provides thoughtful, well-reasoned, and compassionate answers in Avvo’s Family Law Q&A forum. Her responses show a deep understanding of North Carolina family law and a genuine concern for helping people navigate difficult situations with clarity and confidence. She explains complex custody and divorce issues in plain language and always keeps the child’s best interests in focus. I’m pleased to endorse Ms. Saenz as a knowledgeable and dedicated family law attorney."

Michael Charles Doland headshot
Michael Doland

Family lawyer | Jul 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"The answers of Ms. Saenz are consistently accurate, analytic, and customized to the needs of the Avvo asker. These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney."

Jeffrey Thomas Gwynn headshot
Jeffrey Gwynn

Family lawyer | Aug 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Dawn is a sensational attorney who offers spirited and effective advocacy for her clients. She fights and wins."

Scott J. Sheldon headshot
Scott Sheldon

Family lawyer | Aug 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Dawn is a skilled, knowledgeable, and passionate attorney."

Ronald L. Freeman headshot
Ronald Freeman

Family lawyer | Jul 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Roger Anthony Moss headshot
Roger Moss

Family lawyer | Aug 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Dawn Saenz tells it "like it is" while showing compassion and shrewd legal thinking. With a sense of humor. It doesn't get any better than that. I enthusiastically endorse Dawn Saenz and am grateful for her service to the community at large."

William Charles Kennedy headshot
William Kennedy

Family lawyer | Apr 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I strongly endorse this fine attorney. Dawn goes beyond 100% for her clients. I had referred a family law client to another attorney and the client was not happy with the lack of communication. Dawn went to Hawaii to meet with this client. His mother is a member of my Church and now everyone in the Church knows about Dawn being a 110% +++ attorney. You will be lucky to have her services."

Rebecca M. Perkins headshot
Rebecca Perkins

Family lawyer | Jan 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Saenz and I collaborate quite often. She is not afraid to be creative and use out of the box strategies to get the optimum result for her clients. Plus she has a heart of gold, which is rare in this field."

Ingrid Gherman headshot
Ingrid Gherman

Family lawyer | Dec 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Her answers to questions asked on AVVO are thoughtful and accurate."

John R Gaertner headshot
John Gaertner

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Dawn is a knowledgeable, experienced and effective advocate for all her clients."

Sean Cleary headshot
Sean Cleary

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."

David Paley Schwarz headshot
David Schwarz

Family lawyer | Dec 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Judd S Nemiro headshot
Judd Nemiro

Unknown lawyer | Dec 16

Relationship: Other

"No matter what kind of legal issues you face throughout your life, it is important to have an experienced and trustworthy lawyer on your side. This attorney is one."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Dec 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Ethan K. Pham headshot
Ethan Pham

Personal injury lawyer | Dec 15

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Taryn Bendix Mary La Fata headshot
Taryn La Fata

Family lawyer

Sheryl Ann McDonnell headshot
Sheryl McDonnell

Family lawyer

Kyle John Farquhar headshot
Kyle Farquhar

Divorce and separation lawyer

Darryl Lynn Exum headshot
Darryl Exum

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael Charles Doland headshot
Michael Doland

Family lawyer

Eric M. Rice headshot
Eric Rice

Family lawyer

Kamola L. Gray headshot
Kamola Gray

Family lawyer

Jeffrey Thomas Gwynn headshot
Jeffrey Gwynn

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Scott J. Sheldon headshot
Scott Sheldon

Contracts and agreements lawyer

Ronald L. Freeman headshot
Ronald Freeman

Immigration lawyer

Randy Kenneth Bell headshot
Randy Bell

Personal injury lawyer

Lauren Nicole Patterson headshot
Lauren Patterson

Family lawyer

Laurie A Coker headshot
Laurie Coker

Family lawyer

William Charles Kennedy headshot
William Kennedy

Unknown lawyer

Rebecca M. Perkins headshot
Rebecca Perkins

Divorce and separation lawyer

Guy Arthur Herreman headshot
Guy Herreman

Divorce and separation lawyer

Joshua Johnson Hanks headshot
Joshua Hanks

Criminal defense lawyer

Robert Harold Brownlee headshot
Robert Brownlee

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.0 (Superb)

Honors

2022

Best Presentation 2021-2022 Season, Leo A. Deegan American Inn of Court

Work Experience

2013 - Present

Attorney, Law Offices of Dawn M. Saenz

2012 - 2013

Law Clerk, Law Office

Associations

2013 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2013 - Present

Supreme Court of California

Admitted to Practice

2012 - Present

Riverside County Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

2010 - Present

Riverside County Bar Association

Member

2015 - 2018

Olive Crest

Board of Trustees

2014 - 2016

Riverside County Bar Publications Committee

Committee Member/Writer

2013 - 2020

San Bernardino County Bar Association

Member

2013 - 2015

California Women Lawyers

Member

2013 - 2024

Riverside County Mock Trial Competition

Scoring Attorney

Education

2009

California Southern Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

Speaking Engagements

2024

Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court

Demystifying Implict Bias

Publications

2016

Riverside Laywer Magazine Opposing Counsel: Greg Rizio

2016

Riverside Lawyer Magazine On the Record with Saenz: Robert Deller

2015

Riverside Lawyer Magazine On the Record with Saenz (Honorable Chad Firetag)

2014

Riverside Lawyer Magazine Be Civil to All

2014

Riverside Lawyer Magazine Oye, Oye, Oye

Languages

English

Activity

Top Contributor

Dawn earned significant contribution points in 2026.

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution