Support Staff – Dawn L. Hanninen

Paralegal

Dawn L. Hanninen is a seasoned paralegal with over two decades of industry experience. With an extensive background in civil litigation, personal injury, insurance litigation (including bad faith), medical malpractice, employment law, business formation and transactions, bankruptcy, and creditor’s rights, she is well-versed in various aspects of law and is considered an expert in her field. Dawn provides advanced litigation support to Laird Cowley’s attorneys and clients and is a critical asset to our team. 

Dawn possesses a keen eye for detail and attends to her paralegal duties with skill and devotion. She assists our attorneys in preparing litigation cases from onset through post-trial and is adept in document production and management, analytical tasks, data mining and research, managing case files, and assisting with trial and mediation preparations. She has excellent communication and time management skills and is able to handle business itineraries and correspondence with ease. She plays a vital role in assisting our attorneys, especially with complex lawsuits, and helps with managing client deadlines, maintaining communication among parties, witness scheduling, document filings, and numerous clerical tasks. 

Although Dawn grew up in Washington State, she moved to Montana in 1988 and considers Missoula to be her home. She seeks to make a difference in her community and peoples’ lives through her work as a paralegal. She finds fulfillment from being able to help others and enjoys getting to know her clients and colleagues on a personal level. She continually seeks to expand her knowledge and learn from those around her and is excited by opportunities for growth.

Dawn attended college at the University of Montana and is an avid Griz Fan. She is joyfully married and has one son. She has enjoyed many sports through the years, but now loves to bowl and golf, and spend time with her family and friends.