Dawn M. Irizarry has substantial experience representing management in all phases of civil litigation involving claims of sexual harassment, unlawful discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, defamation, failure to accommodate and other employment-related disputes before federal and state courts, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and state civil rights enforcement agencies, as well as through private mediation and binding arbitration. 

Irizarry has also represented a number of financial institutions before the National Association of Securities Dealers and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. In addition, she regularly counsels employers regarding personnel policies, employee discipline and terminations, employment contracts, pregnancy and other medial leaves of absence, separation agreements, employee benefits issues and internal employee complaints. 

Irizarry has significant experience conducting internal investigations (often involving sensitive issues), advising employers on the conclusions of the investigation, and making recommendations based on those conclusions. She regularly assists employers with compliance audits and investigations conducted by state and federal agencies.

Irizarry has served as a guest speaker for large and small groups of employers and lectured on updates in employment law, the importance of drafting and maintaining employee handbooks, and how to stop sexual harassment before it begins. 

In 2009, Irizarry completed a nine-month secondment as the Senior Employment Law Attorney for BT Americas Inc., a subsidiary of British Telecommunications plc. In that role, she served as in-house counsel to the Fortune 200, multi-billion dollar telecommunications company, undertaking substantive and case-management oversight for all litigation and day-to-day advice and counsel on employment matters in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, she regularly advised the Global Legal Team and Global Human Resources Team on labor and employment issues with international implications.

Education

Southwestern University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2002

• Extern, Honorable Arthur Alarcon, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2001
• Southwestern Law Review, Associate Editor, 2000-2002
• Southwestern Moot Court Honors Program, 2000

Florida International University, B.A., Human Resources Management, 1997

Professional Affiliations / Leadership / Awards

Southern California Super Lawyer, Rising Star, 2007

National Institute for Trial Advocacy's Building Trial Skills Program, Participant

Pro Bono

Dawn has represented Salvadorian nationals seeking political asylum before the Los Angeles Immigration Court.