Dawn Sydney

Dawn Sydney

3.6
Rating: 7.4

Licensed for 14 years

Family Lawyer at Seattle, WA
Practice Areas: Family, Domestic Violence

1417 NW 54th Street, Suite 200, Seattle, WA

About Dawn

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 300-300 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 14 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 2011

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Dawn Sydney, PLLC

1417 NW 54th Street, Suite 200, Seattle, WA, 98107

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Dawn Sydney's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.6 /5.0

13 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (13) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Responsiveness

Posted by Kevin | November 06, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

DO NOT USE DAWN SYDNEY!

Engaging this “law firm” to assist with my divorce was the worst professional mistake I have ever made. The paralegal was awful and seemed too busy to answer basic questions. Identifying the sorts of documents they wanted was needlessly complicated, and they lacked the ability to communicate in a cle...ar and timely manner. They then screwed up basic details in the filing, turning what should have been an amicable divorce into anything but, as my estranged wife feels disrespected, hurt and angry. They need more employees, better employees, and/or fewer clients. AVOID!

Posted by anonymous | June 05, 2015 | Divorce & Separation

A lawyer with attitude

I used Dawn Sydney in my divorce trial. I couldn't afford the expensive/good one and thought she charged me a fair/low rate because of her inexperience. She printed and mailed me some documents which I already have digital files and she charges me by doing that... She made numerous mistakes for me ...to sign off something I didn't agree at all... She didn't inform me some important decisions timely and told me she was out of town handling another case with her coworker.

Posted by tanya | May 22, 2013

Fabulous trusted attorney

I have worked with Dawn close to 7 years on and off when I have needed her help. She is the most caring attorney I ever met. Her detective skills and determination are just 2 of her fabulous attributes. She is beyond fair with her fees and is always responsive. I trust her completely in her judgme...nt making skills and I know she has no problem conferring with other attorneys to make sure she gives the best advice. Dawn has excellent writing skills and the ability to truly capture the events going on and portray them in a professional and passionate way to the courts. I highly recommend Dawn to be hired as your attorney and advocate!!

See All Client Reviews

Dawn Sydney's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Dawn
Christina L Corwin headshot
Christina Corwin

Family lawyer | Mar 16

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Dawn is a highly professional, hard working, and well respected member of our community. She is a creative problem solver and looks for solutions rather than perpetuating discord. It is always a pleasure working with her on matters."

Elizabeth M Carney headshot
Elizabeth Carney

Family lawyer | Dec 01

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Dawn is efficient, experienced and knowledgeable in this area. She is able to quickly see how to manage the smallest of details to best impact the bigger issues at stake. I highly recommend her."

Michael William Bugni headshot
Michael Bugni

Divorce and separation lawyer | Nov 20

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"I endorse Dawn Sydney. She worked for me from 2009 - 2012. Dawn is passionate about obtaining justice for her clients and she's a tireless advocate. It's rewarding to work with someone who loves what they do."

View All Endorsements
Sarah Rae Elerson headshot
Sarah Elerson

Family lawyer

Christina L Corwin headshot
Christina Corwin

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.4 (Very Good)

Honors

1991

Pro Bono Public Interest Law Gold Medal, Washington University School of Law

Work Experience

2017 - Present

Principal, Law Offices of Dawn Sydney

2013 - 2017

Attorney, Bucklin Evens, PLLC

2009 - 2012

Family Law Attorney, Law Offices of Michael Bugni & Associates

2005 - 2009

Family Law Paralegal, Skellenger Bender

1996 - 1998

Director of Policy and Communications, Traveler's Aid International

1992 - 1996

Policy Analyst, National Coalition for the Homeless

1991 - 1992

Program Associate, Citizen's for Missouri's Children

Associations

2011 - Present

King County Bar Association, Family Law Section, Legislative Committee

Member

2011 - Present

Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

2011 - Present

King County Bar Association Public Policy Committee

Member

2011 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Dissolution/DVPO Case

Court entered 2 yr DVPO. Father ordered to: 1) have supervised visits only; 2) complete siginficant substance abuse and DV treatment; 3) take multiple, random monthly drug tests; and 4) pay $40,000 in attorney's fees for excessive intransigence.

Relocation Trial

Relocation with children was denied. My client became the primary parent.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2012

Seattle University

MPA

1991

Washington University School of Law

J.D

1987

Miami University of Ohio

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2015

Family Law Practice for Paralegals

Enforcing and Modifying Family Law Orders and Decrees

2012

King County Bar Association, Family Law Mentor/Mentee Program

Pretrial preparation

Publications

1995

Travelers Aid International Helping Battered Women and Children Out of Homelessness: The Role of Homeless Shelters and Other Service Providers

1993

National Coalition for the Homeless Life and Death on the Streets: Health Care Reform and Homelessness.

1993

National Coalition for the Homeless Shredding the Safety Net: The Contract With America’s Impact on Poor and Homeless People

1991

Encyclopedia of Childbearing (Oryx) Violence Against Pregnant Women

Languages

English

Activity

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