Dawn Smith

PRO

Dawn Smith

4.4
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 35 years

Child custody Lawyer Practice Areas: Child Custody, Divorce & Separation, Education

About Dawn

Biography

This is the family lawyer who will protect the interests of you and your children.

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Child Custody 50%

We help clients distinguish between legal custody and physical custody, and define their goals for negotiating each, keeping their child’s best interests in mind. We believe that where possible, reaching an agreement on child custody and access is best for children and families. However, there are instances where only the Judge can bring resolution to these important issues. Our attorneys have significant experience in high conflict custody cases in all Metro Atlanta Counties.

36 years

50%
Divorce and Separation 45%

Divorce is not a simple process and usually presents immense challenges to all parties involved. Because of this, our experienced family law attorneys take care in guiding clients through the myriad of personal and financial decisions involved in the process. We also help them anticipate and plan for short- and long-term consequences of those decisions.

36 years

45%
Education 5%

Smith & Lake advises and represents families of students with disabilities in communities across Georgia. We assist parents and students at every stage of the special education process. Our work ranges from consultation, such as advice and strategy with regard to a child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), through dispute resolution.

36 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 525-525 per hour

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Licenses

Licensed in Georgia for 35 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 1990

Active Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

No contact information is available for this lawyer

Online Presence

Other places you can find Dawn online.

Dawn Smith's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.4 /5.0

14 Client Reviews

5 star (12)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (2)

Posted by anonymous | April 24, 2020 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

complicated divorce case

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...t attorney that i have spoken to, high ethics and professionalism I would give him my highest recommendation Thank you Dawn

Posted by Barbara | March 6, 2020 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Smooth Yet Compassionate Divorce

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

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

My Strength in the Storm

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 ...me and navigated my case with ease. I felt completely taken care of and confident with her by my side. It’s obvious she’s in this business for the right reason - she cares about people and fights for what’s fair. I will recommend her to anyone in need.

Posted by Dawn | September 17, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Special education

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...d saw this opportunity to give a long overdue review. Ms. Smith represented us approximately 15 years ago in a meeting with the Douglas County school board. She helped us overcome a huge hurdle in getting our son services. Attorney Smith truly has a passion for what she does and is absolutely the best. Many years have passed and I still will never forget how much she helped us. Amazing!!!

Dawn Smith

Replied last January 12, 2017

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

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Compassionate, excellent and the best atorney in Atlanta

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...d most of all my children are safe. I am no longer harrassed by my ex husband or his insensitive attorney. Dawn has been their with me and my children all the way and will continue to be a part of our lives. She navigated my case skillfully and brick by brick fought my case till I got what I truly wanted....to continue being the loving mother I am and to be the positive role model they desperately needed. Thank you Dawn for giving us a new start at life and for empowering me to stand up against abuse and infidelity and to forge ahead with my head held high.

See All Client Reviews

Dawn Smith's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Dawn
Andrew Raymond Lynch headshot
Andrew Lynch

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Dawn is known for her experience and professionalism in the family law courts. I endorse this lawyer and refer my own clients to her."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Oct 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Dawn. She is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

View All Endorsements
Audrey Biggerstaff Bergeson headshot
Audrey Bergeson

Family lawyer

Bruce Alan Hagen headshot
Bruce Hagen

Personal injury lawyer

Brooke M. French headshot
Brooke French

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

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

Work Experience

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

Associations

2016 - Present

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Fellow

2016 - Present

DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation

Board Member

2016 - Present

Atlanta Bar Association, Family Law Section

Board Member

2014 - Present

Fulton County Family Division Task Force

Appointed Task Force Member

2010 - Present

DeKalb County Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

2010 - Present

Charles Longstreet Weltner Family Law American Inn of Court

Barrister

2005 - Present

Atlanta Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

2005 - Present

State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section

Member

1996 - Present

Leadership Atlanta

Member

1989 - Present

Cool Girls Inc

Founder

2010 - 2011

Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates

President

2007 - 2013

Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates

Board Member

2006 - 2008

Emmaus House

Advisory Board

2002 - 2005

Episcopal Church of the Epiphany

Vestry and Senior Warden

Education

1989

Georgia State University College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1985

North Carolina State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

Tropical Seminar

The Impact of Cheating and Drinking in Family Law Cases

2015

Georgia Superior Court Judges' Winter Conference

Special Needs Children and Custody Cases

2015

Georgia Superior Court Judges' Summer Conference

Substance Abuse and Parenting

2015

American Family and Conciliation Courts Conference

Substance Abuse and Parenting

2014

Pro Bono March Madness

Guardian ad Litem Training

2014

Family Law Institute

Special Needs/Special Education in Custody and Support Cases – Lecturer 2014

2014

Annual Conference

New Attorney Training

2013

Guardian ad Litem Training

Ethics and the Guardian ad Litem

2013

Family Law Institute

Fertile Ground - Cross Examination of Custody Evaluators

2013

Annual Conference

New Attorney Training

2012

Training

Legal Issues for Families

2012

Pro Bono March Madness

Guardian ad Litem Training

2012

Nuts and Bolts of Family Law

Use of Guardian ad Litem

2012

Annual Conference

New Attorney training

2011

Pro Bono March Madness

Guardian ad Litem Training

2011

Annual Conference

New Attorney Training

2010

Pro Bono March Madness

Guardian ad Litem Training

2009

Pro Bono March Madness

Guardian ad Litem Training

2009

Custody Evalautor training

Custody Evaluator training

2008

Pro Bono March Madness

Guardian ad Litem Training

2007

Pro Bono March Madness

Guardian ad Litem Training

Languages

English

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