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Dawn is a litigator with broad experience in complex commercial litigation, including environmental, products liability, mass tort/toxic tort, employment, insurance and class action matters. She has a depth of experience with all aspects of discovery, including work with experts, taking and defending depositions, motions practice, trial preparation and settlement negotiation. In addition, Dawn has developed a particular concentration on e-discovery issues, including the management of all aspects of e-discovery in cases involving voluminous data and documents, focusing on the development, implementation and supervision of proper and efficient methods for preservation, collection, review, and production of ESI.

Concentrations

  • Commercial litigation
  • Environmental litigation 

Capabilities

Experience

  • Berisha v. Amerada Hess Corp., et al. Member of team that defended several oil refiners against class action claims stemming from alleged environmental contamination. Case ended when court denied plaintiffs’ class certification motion.
  • International Paper Company and Masonite Corporation v. Affiliated FM Insurance Company, et al. Member of team that secured a $383 million jury verdict on behalf of International Paper and Masonite, arising out of the refusal of more than 20 insurance carriers to respond properly to a nationwide products liability class action. Combined with the $93 million jury verdict awarded in the first phase of the trial (including $68 million in punitive damages), the total jury verdict in the action exceeded $475 million and was among top 30 jury verdicts nationwide for 2003.
  • Allapattah Services, Inc. et al. v. Exxon Corp. Member of trial team that defended Exxon Corp. in a class action brought by service station dealers alleging breach of contract involving the Discount for Cash Marketing Program. Plaintiffs sought $1 billion in damages, including interest. Participated in first trial, which resulted in a hung jury. A later retrial resulted in a verdict for plaintiffs.

°Some of the representations listed above were handled by Dawn Ellison prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

Recognition & Leadership

  • Team Member, The American Lawyer’s “Products Liability Litigation Department of the Year,” 2018
  • Member, American Bar Association
    • At-Large Vice Chair, Environment Section's Environmental Litigation and Toxic Torts Committee

Credentials

Education
  • J.D., with high honors, University of North Carolina School of Law, 1998
    • Order of the Coif
    • Member, North Carolina Law Review
  • B.A., with highest distinction, Pennsylvania State University, 1993
    • Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
  • District of Columbia

Related Capabilities

Litigation Class Action Litigation eDiscovery & eRetention Complex Torts