Dawn W. Emery, M.A., J.D. R.E.N.E. Email & Phone Number

Taylorsville, Utah, Us

Midvale, Ut, Us

Training and Mentoring:Lead comprehensive training programs for law enforcement on legal procedures and updates, enhancing their understanding and application of the law.Mentor junior attorneys and legal interns, providing guidance and support to develop their litigation skills and professional growth.Conduct workshops and seminars for new lawyers, focusing on practical aspects of prosecution and trial preparation.Spearhead initiatives to foster professional development among legal staff, encouraging continuous learning and excellence in legal practice.Collaborate with city officials and departments to provide legal insights and strategic advice, ensuring informed decision-making and policy development.Represent the City in complex civil and criminal cases, utilizing extensive litigation experience to achieve favorable outcomes.Successfully prosecute assigned criminal, civil, and administrative cases on behalf of the City, handling all aspects from legal research to trial participation.Perform thorough legal research and analysis, applying complex legal principles to specialized problems.Draft and review a wide range of legal documents, including correspondence, legal opinions, contracts, reports, ordinances, and pleadings.Provide clear and concise legal analyses to City officials and departments, supporting municipal law needs and ensuring compliance.Respond to citizen inquiries about municipal law, maintaining professional relationships with City, court, and law enforcement officials.Attend City Council meetings, Planning Commission meetings, Executive Staff meetings, and other relevant gatherings, representing the City Attorney’s office.Stay abreast of current case law, statutory changes, and legal trends, integrating new knowledge into legal practice and training programs.Participate in writing reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals, contributing to the City’s legal framework and operational efficiency.

 Engage with community members, local businesses, and organizations to gather input, address concerns, and create plans that align with the community's needs and aspirations. Conduct research and studies to assess the current land use patterns, population trends, and economic factors influencing urban development. Review proposed development projects, assessing their impact on traffic, infrastructure, environment, and public services, and provide recommendations accordingly. Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, codes, and laws in all urban planning. Address environmental sustainability by promoting green spaces, efficient transportation systems, and policies that reduce the city's carbon footprint. Collect and analyze data, utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other tools to make informed decisions and forecasts for city development. Collaborate with various municipal departments, including public works, transportation, housing, and economic development, to coordinate efforts and achieve common objectives. Prepare and present reports, recommendations, and findings to city councils, planning commissions, and other decision-making bodies.

 Drafted and reviewed legal documents including contracts, pleadings, data requests, data request responses, testimony, regulatory documents, reports, and presentations. Conducted Administrate proceedings before Administrative Law Judge, by reviewing documents and evidentiary support, prepping witnesses and reviewing city ordinances.  Assessed and planned litigation strategy including determining appropriate forum, appropriate motions to file, whether or not to settle out of court, which arguments support the determined strategy, and deciding how to best present the case to a judge or jury  Draft all types of pleadings, (motions to suppress, prepare citations, jury instructions) and litigation documents, with or without collaboration, to legal questions and support the litigation Ensure criminal cases are timely and properly handled, by reviewing cases, police reports, photos, body cameras, 911 calls, rap sheets, driving records, and BCI information. Reviewed cases with police officers, investigators and civilian witnesses to prepare them for court hearings, and trial.  Processed expungement by reviewing state law and drafting appropriate documents or objections.  Training of new attorney, recruitment and training of paralegal intern.

Civil litigator, discovery docs, depositions, bench trials employment law and general litigation

Successfully argued down an award of attorney's fees saving client over $6,000.00.Obtained dismissals on two stalking injunctionsHandled Real Estate and Civil litigation cases from start to finish, including initial disclosures, requests for discovery, interrogatories, requests for admissions, requests for production of documents, statement of discovery issues, and subpoenas.Participated in several court hearings including, motions for summary judgment, motion for writ of replevin, attorneys fees and stalking injunctions.Transactional work in HOA law, amendments to CC&R's, rental restrictions, modifications to common areas and dissolution of HOA and nonprofit corporation.Business transactions, documents of incorporation, commercial contracts, employee handbooks, non compete agreements and operating contracts.Taught Continuing Education classes for real estate agents, including seller's disclosures, real estate photography, and marketing compliance.Chair of the Women of SEB committee, and member of the Marketing committee

Mentoring and Training:Introduced and developed a comprehensive curriculum for a newly founded Justice Academy Program, focusing on advanced trial issues to enhance the skills of new prosecutors.Actively mentor junior attorneys and legal interns, providing guidance, feedback, and support to develop their trial advocacy and legal analysis skills.Conduct regular training sessions on key legal topics, including DUI, domestic violence, drug analysis, and forensic evidence, to ensure continuous professional development among colleagues.Leadership in Litigation:Conducted over 75 jury trials, demonstrating exceptional trial advocacy skills and achieving a solid record of successful convictions.Served as First Chair for over 30 jury trials, including high-profile cases involving aggravated robbery, disarming a police officer, domestic violence aggravated assaults, and poaching, including multi-day events.Provided leadership and strategic direction during complex trials, ensuring effective case management and successful outcomes.Expertise and Specialized Knowledge:Qualified numerous experts in various fields, including DUI, Widmark analysis, domestic violence, drug analysis, gang membership, close-quarters combat, firearms, fingerprints, and DNA.Leveraged extensive knowledge and experience to train peers and junior staff in handling expert testimony and complex evidence.Court of Appeals Advocacy:Successfully argued cases before the Court of Appeals, demonstrating strong appellate advocacy skills and a deep understanding of legal principles and precedents.By focusing on mentoring, training, and leadership, I aim to foster a culture of continuous learning and professional excellence within the legal community, ensuring that both new and seasoned attorneys are well-equipped to serve justice effectively.

Salt Lake City, Utah, Us

Moving through progressive roles, I managed a heavy caseload representing the City in litigations, contested hearings, and trials including participating in motions, bench trials, jury trials, and other evidentiary hearings.Highlights of my experience in this role include… First chaired over 45 jury trials inclusive of complicated blood DUI’s, DV’s assaults and thefts; in addition to participating in bench trials and motion hearings; multi-day events Administered the summer intern program, overseeing activities from orientation to mid-term evaluations, to end-of year reviews; placed interns with attorneys and monitored progression.  Launched and facilitated in-house training programs for attorneys; focused on special duties of prosecutors and cross-examination.

J.D., Law

Certificate Of Cannabis Law, Cannabis

Masters Of Organizational Leadership, Organizational Leadership

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication

High School