Dawn Smith

Dawn R. Smith is the founding partner of Evolve Family Law, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia, where she has devoted her career exclusively to families for more than 37 years. A recognized leader in her field, Dawn has represented children and families through every stage of the legal process, from complex contested litigation to amicable mediated settlements, with a reputation for zealous advocacy and deep compassion for the clients she serves. A graduate of North Carolina State University (B.A., Business Management, 1985), Dawn earned her J.D. magna cum laude from Georgia State University College of Law in 1989, where she served as Style Editor of the Georgia State Law Review. She is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta and the founder of Cool Girls, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to empowering at-risk girls in metro Atlanta. She has also served on the Board of the Greater Georgia Chapter of the Autism Society of America and the Advisory Board of Emmaus House. “I am a child of divorce and am myself divorced. I know that the divorce process is daunting and that parents are dealing with their most valuable treasure – their children. I do not take lightly the difficult position folks find themselves in and am honored to walk together with my clients as they attempt to craft creative solutions that work for their family." Dawn began her legal career as a law clerk to United States District Court Judge Marvin H. Shoob and was subsequently appointed Special Administrative Master for the Court. She later served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Georgia Office of State Administrative Hearings, where she presided over a wide range of matters involving children and families. Before founding Evolve Family Law, she served as Deputy Director of the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, overseeing the city's largest pro bono family law program in partnership with the Judges of the Fulton County Superior Court Family Division. She was named Atlanta Legal Aid Volunteer of the Year in 2016. In her practice, Dawn handles the full spectrum of family law matters, including divorce, child custody and parenting time, high-asset property division, child and spousal support, modifications, legitimation and paternity, domestic violence, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, adoptions, and appeals. In addition to representing clients in litigation, she is frequently appointed by Superior Courts throughout Georgia to serve as Guardian ad Litem and is appointed by the Judges of the Fulton County Superior Court Family Division as a Late Case Evaluator. She is also a certified arbitrator and an active mediator of family law matters.