$ 525-525 per hour
Dawn Smith is a founding partner at Evolve Family Law. She is a member of the American Academyt of Matrimonial Lawyers, an orgnaization for lawyers with substantial experience who are recognized by the bench and the bar as a leading practitioners in the area of matrimonial law. In addition, Dawn was recognized as 2017-2023 as a Top 50 Women Lawyers and Top 100 Lawyers in Georgia by Super Lawyers.
Dawn has represented children and families for over 24 years. Immediately prior to joining the firm, Dawn was a partner at one of Atlanta’s most prestigious family law firms. She also served as Deputy Director of Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation where she was responsible for administration of the city’s largest pro bono family law program. In this role, Dawn worked in partnership with the Judges of the Fulton County Family Court to provide trained Guardian ad Litems in contested custody matters. She has trained Guardian ad Litems throughout the state and has lectured on their role nationally. Dawn is frequently appointed by Courts to serve as Guardian ad Litem in family law cases. She also is a certified arbitrator and mediates family law cases.
In addition to her expertise in family law, Dawn is recognized as one of the leading advocates for the civil and educational rights of children with disabilities. She is the past President of the Board of Directors of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, the national membership organization for special education attorneys and advocates. She has pursued actions on behalf of children in state and federal trial courts as well as in the 11thCircuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Dawn is a frequent lecturer both nationally and locally on the rights of children. At the firm, Dawn provides quality legal services on behalf of children and lends her expertise in this area to all of our family law endeavors.
Dawn began her career as Law Clerk to United States District Court Judge Marvin H. Shoob and subsequently was appointed Special Administrative Master for the Court. Dawn was also a partner in the firm Zimring & Smith LLC and was later appointed Administrative Law Judge for the Georgia Office of State Administrative Hearings. She is a 1985 graduate of North Carolina State University and a 1989 cum laud graduate of Georgia State University College of Law where she served as Style Editor on Georgia State Law Review.
3
Practice Areas
36 years
36 years
36 years
$ 525-525 per hour
Always
State: Georgia
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
Other places you can find Dawn online.
Showing 1 - 5 of 14 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | April 24, 2020 | Consulted Attorney
I consulted Ms. Smith for a complicated divorce case involving false allegation of family violence. giving my sensitive profession i was nervous about the outcome. I was ripped off by one of the largest firm in Atlanta and had horrible outcome He is by far one of the most experienced and intelligen...
Posted by Barbara | March 6, 2020 | Hired Attorney
I was very grateful for the attention to detail and compassionate listening afforded my experience with Dawn Smith. She is very professional and yet made me feel as though she also understood the sensitivity of my case and my concerns.
Posted by anonymous | July 29, 2019 | Hired Attorney
Divorce is awful. One of the most stressful and emotional things I’ve ever gone through. The one ray of light I had was Dawn and Sandy. Sandy was my first point of contact and the amount warmth & kindness she showed me was incredible. Dawn was equally kind & sympathetic. She was a stellar support to ...
Posted by Dawn | September 17, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Tonight I was talking to a good friend about challenges in the school system with her daughter and special education resources. I underatand her story all too well. So, I told her about an attorney that helped us 15 years ago. After our call i decided to google the attorney to refer to my friend an...
This is the highest of praise and I am humbled. Thank you so much. I hope all is well.
Posted by Preeti | January 26, 2016 | Hired Attorney
My divorce had everything a nightmare could include..infidelity in another country, abuse, non disclosure of marital assets, custody battle, tainted thrrapists, custody evaluators and a rogue opposing attorney. I walked away a happy mother with custody of my children, major decision making rights an...
"Dawn is known for her experience and professionalism in the family law courts. I endorse this lawyer and refer my own clients to her."
2017
Top 50 Female Attorney in Georgia, Super Lawyer Magazine
2016
Super Lawyer in Family Law, Super Lawyers Magazine
2016
Volunteer Lawyer of the Year, Atlanta Legal Aid
2015
Legal Elite in Family Law, Georgia Trend Magazine
2015
Super Lawyer in Family Law, Super Lawyers Magazine
2015
Legal Elite in Family Law, Georgia Trend Magazine
2014
Founder's Award, Cool Girls Inc
2014
Super Lawyer in Family Law, Super Lawyers
2014
Legal Elite in Family Law, Georgia Trend Magazine
2013
Legal Elite in Family Law, Georgia Trend Magazine
2013 - Present
Partner, Smith & Lake
2010 - 2013
Partner, Boyd Collar Nolen & Tuggle
2006 - 2010
Deputy Director, Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation
2005 - 2006
Administrative Law Judge, Georgia Office of State Administrative Hearings
2000 - 2005
Partner, Zimring & Smith
1995 - 2000
Associate, Zimring, Ellin & Miller
1992 - 1996
Special Administrative Master, United States District Court Norther District of Georgia
1989 - 1992
Law Clerk, United States District Court Norther District of Georgia
2016 - Present
American Academy of Matrimonial LawyersFellow
2016 - Present
DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers FoundationBoard Member
2016 - Present
Atlanta Bar Association, Family Law SectionBoard Member
2014 - Present
Fulton County Family Division Task ForceAppointed Task Force Member
2010 - Present
DeKalb County Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2010 - Present
Charles Longstreet Weltner Family Law American Inn of CourtBarrister
2005 - Present
Atlanta Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2005 - Present
State Bar of Georgia, Family Law SectionMember
1996 - Present
Leadership AtlantaMember
1989 - Present
Cool Girls IncFounder
2010 - 2011
Council of Parent Attorneys and AdvocatesPresident
2007 - 2013
Council of Parent Attorneys and AdvocatesBoard Member
2006 - 2008
Emmaus HouseAdvisory Board
2002 - 2005
Episcopal Church of the EpiphanyVestry and Senior Warden
1989
JD - Juris Doctor
1985
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2015
The Impact of Cheating and Drinking in Family Law Cases
2015
Special Needs Children and Custody Cases
2015
Substance Abuse and Parenting
2015
Substance Abuse and Parenting
2014
Guardian ad Litem Training
2014
Special Needs/Special Education in Custody and Support Cases – Lecturer 2014
2014
New Attorney Training
2013
Ethics and the Guardian ad Litem
2013
Fertile Ground - Cross Examination of Custody Evaluators
2013
New Attorney Training
2012
Legal Issues for Families
2012
Guardian ad Litem Training
2012
Use of Guardian ad Litem
2012
New Attorney training
2011
Guardian ad Litem Training
2011
New Attorney Training
2010
Guardian ad Litem Training
2009
Guardian ad Litem Training
2009
Custody Evaluator training
2008
Guardian ad Litem Training
2007
Guardian ad Litem Training
English