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.
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.
Dawn is one of only 30 Fellows of the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), a distinguished fellowship reserved for the foremost family law practitioners in the country. She served as Co-Chair of the AAML's Racial, Ethnic and Religious Considerations in Family Law Committee, and received the AAML Public Service Award in 2021. She is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association, where she has chaired the Family Law Section and served on the Judicial Selection and Tenure Committee, and is a member of the DeKalb County Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Every year since 2018, she has been named to the Super Lawyers® list of Top 50 Women in Georgia and Top 100 Super Lawyers® in Georgia.
Dawn lives in Decatur with her husband Robin and her dog Sunny. She has two adult sons who she continues to co-parent with her ex-spouse. (Yes, adults need parenting sometimes.) Dawn loves to travel to NYC to visit her youngest son who works in theater and to listen to her oldest play saxophone around Atlanta. Dawn loves to garden and sing in her church choir and with Atlanta Singing Resistance.
Digital Tug of War, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, 2026
When Criminality and Family Court Collide, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, 2026
The Use and Misuse of Scientific Evidence in Family Court, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, 2025
So Much More Than the Voice of a Child, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, 2025
Managing the Toll of High Conflict Custody Cases, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, 2025
Growing Up Online, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Georgia Chapter, 2025
Walking the Line: Client Advocacy and Best Interest of Children (with Dr. Robin Deutsch), American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2025
Unveiling the Unconscious: Implicit Bias and Cross Examination, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2024
All Shook Up: Ethical Considerations in Working Through Transitions with High Conflict Families, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, 2024
The Devil is in the Details: Advanced Clauses for Settlement Agreements in Domestic Relations Cases, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Georgia Chapter, 2023
From Intake to Court, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts / American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2023
Nuts and Bolts of Being a Guardian ad Litem, Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, October 2023
Gender Diverse Children and the GAL, Georgia Advanced Guardian Ad Litem Training, September 2023
From Intake to In Court: The High Conflict Custody Case, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - Association of Family and Conciliatory Courts Advanced Custody Conference, September 2023
Cutting Edge Issues of Gender in Custody and Parenting Time, Georgia Bar Family Law Institute, May 2023
Cutting Edge Custody Issues, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Georgia Chapter, December 2022
Crafting Parenting Plans that Address the Unique Cultural Dynamics of a Family, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Annual Meeting, November 2022
Stay in Your Lane while Expanding Your Practice: Clinical and Ethical Issues When Working with Family Law Attorneys, Georgia Psychological Association, May 2022
Evidentiary Considerations When Using Mental Health Experts in Child Custody Litigation, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, New York Chapter, May 2022
The Intersection of Mental Health and Custodial Issues, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Annual Meeting, November 2019
Issues Related to Special Needs Children in Custody and Child Support Cases, Georgia Bar Family Law Institute, May 2019
When to Hire Co-Counsel: 'A Jack of All Trades' Lawyer is Master of None, Georgia Bar Family Law Institute, May 2018
Trial Skills Seminar (Program Chair), American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Georgia Chapter, 2017
Support Options and Obligations for Minor and Adult Children with Disabilities", Georgia Bar Family Law Institute, May 2017
Third Party Custody Actions, Georgia Superior Court Judges Summer Conference & Educational Sessions, Winter Conference 2017
Sexual Abuse Allegations and Custody, Georgia Superior Court Judges Summer Conference & Educational Sessions, Winter Conference 2016
Ethical and Legal Challenges Working with Families, Georgia Psychological Association, 2016
Substance Abuse and Custody, Georgia Superior Court Judges Summer Conference & Educational Sessions, July 27–30, 2015
Impact of Cheating and Drinking in Family Law, Does it Really Matter?, Tropical Seminar, February 12–14, 2015
Special Education Law Basics, ICLE Special Needs Trust, 2015
Special Needs, Special Education in Custody and Support, Council of Superior Court Judges, Winter Conference, 2015
Special Needs/Special Education in Custody and Support Cases, Georgia Bar Association, Family Law Institute, 2014
Volunteer Guardians ad Litem, Atlanta Bar Association Pro Bono March Madness, 2014
Fertile Ground: Cross Examination and Direct of Custody Evaluators, Georgia Bar Association, Family Law Institute, 2013
Ethics and the GAL, Cobb County Bar Association, 2013
New Attorney Training, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, 2011–2021
Nuts and Bolts of Family Law, Georgia Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2012
Legal Issues for Families, National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder, 2012
Guardian ad Litem Training (Lecturer), Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, 2007–2022
Custody Evaluator Training, Georgia Psychological Association, December 2009
Guardian ad Litem Training (Program Chair and Lecturer), 10th Judicial Circuit, 2007
Special Needs Trusts, Due Process Hearings, Administrative Law, ICLE Georgia – School and College Law, 2004–2005
Update on IDEA, Marcus Institute, 2005
Asperger's Syndrome, Family Education Rights and Privacy, Lorman Education Services, 2003, 2005
Discipline and Special Needs", Fulton County Juvenile Court, 2001
ADHD, Compensatory Servicers, Transition, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, 2003, 2005, 2008
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