Profile
Presentations
Publications

Dawn Sallerson's practice is devoted to the defense and litigation of professional liability, legal and medical malpractice, class actions, products liability, municipal liability, insurance coverage, toxic and mass torts, construction-related litigation, and personal lines and commercial general liability lawsuits.

Dawn has tried numerous cases to verdict in the state and federal courts.

Dawn joined Hinshaw in 1986. She is the Partner in Charge of the firm's Belleville, Illinois office and also serves on the firm's Attorney Life Committee and its Associate Hiring and Interview Committee. She is also serving on an eight member Appellate Court Selection Panel for a vacancy on the 5th District Appellate Court via appointment from Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier.

Dawn serves as Chair and Investigating Member of Hinshaw's Sexual and Unlawful Harassment Committee. She was also appointed to the firm's Attorney Evaluation Committee. Dawn is the Midwest Region, Belleville office Mentor Coordinator, and also serves as the Belleville office's Chair of continuing legal education programs.

Dawn has received substantial recognition for her academic achievements. During her undergraduate studies she was Senior Class President, International Affairs Association President, United Nations Team President, College Council Secretary, Junior Class Treasurer, a member of the Artist Lecture Series Committee and a member of the Publications Advisory Board.

Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Memorial Law Committee
  • St. Clair County Bar Association, Board Member
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
    • Magistrate Selection Panel, Selected Member
    • U.S. District Court Local Rules Committee, Selected Member

Honors & Awards

  • Professional
    • Named to the "Top Ten Women Lawyers Downstate," list by Leading Lawyers Network Magazine, 2009
    • Named to the "Top 50 Women Downstate Lawyers" list by Leading Lawyers Network Magazine
    • Rated by Martindale-Hubbell for ethics and legal ability
    • Received the "Problem Solvers Award" from Leading Lawyers in the areas of: Insurance/Insurance Coverage/Reinsurance Law; Medical Malpractice Defense; Personal Injury Defense: General; and Products Liability
    • Recognized by her peers as a "Leading Lawyer" in the areas of: Insurance/Insurance Coverage/Reinsurance Law; Personal Injury Defense; General Professional Malpractice; and Products Liability
  •  Academic
    • Saint Louis University School of Law
      • Who's Who Among American Law Students
    • St. Mary-of-the-Woods College
      • National Register of Outstanding College Graduates
      • Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities

Presentations

Dawn has spoken before numerous groups on topics related to litigation. The subject matters of her presentations have included:

  • "Loss of Chance: The Illinois Perspective," 2009
  • "Illinois Civil Procedure: Local Court Practices," 2007
  • "Defense Issues in Avoiding Breast and Reproductive Cancer Diagnoses Failures," 2006
  • "Civil Defense Practices," 2006
  • "Managing Litigation," 2006
  • "Considerations in Third Party Actions," 2006
  • "Responsive Pleadings," 2005
  • "Spoliation of Evidence: Issues for the Defense," 2004
  • "Pleading Issues in Tort Defense," 2002
  • "Pleadings: A Practitioner's View," 2002
  • "Settlement/Release Protection," 2002
  • "Discovery and Investigation in Tort Actions," 2000
  • "Petrillo Violations," 1998
  • "Municipal Immunities," 1998
  • "The Future of Tort Reform," 1997
  • "Impact of Unconstitutionality of the Tort Reform Act," 1997
  • "Significant Recent Decisions Impacting the Tort Immunity Act," 1997
  • "Jury Instructions, Their Use and Effect, Under the Tort Reform Act," 1997
  • "Major Provisions and Immunities in the Illinois Tort Immunity Act," 1996
  • "Illinois Code of Civil Procedure, New Provisions, and the Impact Upon Claim Handling," 1996
  • "Illinois Tort Reform Act, The Practical Effects," 1995
  • "Illinois Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Provisions," 1995
  • "Limitation of Actions in Medical Malpractice Claims," 1995
  • "Your Deposition, Preparation and Examination: Defense of Company Procedures," 1994

J.D., cum laude, Saint Louis University School of Law, 1986

B.A., summa cum laude, St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, 1983