Dawn is an experienced attorney, advocate, fundraiser, and community leader.

Advocacy: As an Attorney, I have over a decade of experience advocating for and on behalf of Tribes, Tribal organizations, Indigenous communities, Alaska Native organizations, municipal governments and non-profits.

This includes: Assistant Borough Attorney, in Utqiagvik, AK, for the North Slope Borough; Of Counsel at Hobbs Straus Dean and Walker, LLP; Attorney/Consultant/Owner at Winalski Law LLC; Attorney-Advisor, U.S. Department of Interior Solicitor’s Office; Judicial Clerk, Multnomah County Circuit Court. I tackled novel issues of environmental law, human rights, food security, Indigenous sovereignty, elections and more. I wrote letters on federal agency actions, handled large projects, reviewed contracts, wrote internal policies and joined in litigation.

Non-Profits and Fundraising: I got my start in fundraising as a student caller for the University of Rhode Island Alumni Fund and never looked back. My work includes targeted fundraising for non-profits, candidates and ballot measures. I have written grant proposals for small start-up non-profits and assisted with renewals of large federal awards. I have served on Boards, advised Boards, written and reviewed policies, planned events, and much more. 

Community Leadership Roles

• Vice Chair, ABA Section on Environment, Energy, and Resources, Indigenous Law Committee (2018-2022)
• Member at Large (2024) and other roles for the Oregon State Bar Indian Law Section
• Volunteer, GTD Go The Distance
• Youth Girls’ Lacrosse Coach, Eastside Portland Lacrosse
• RYT-200 Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher and Instructor at Portland Community College

Education

J.D., University of Oregon School of Law, Order of the Coif

B.S. University of Rhode Island, Environmental Science and Management