Dawn S. Spratley
Shareholder
spratleyd@lanepowell.com
206.223.7274
Area of Practice
Dawn Spratley focuses her practice on estate and trust litigation, pre and postnuptial agreements,
probate, and domestic and international estate planning.
Professional Experience
Michigan Second District Court of Appeals, Intern to the Honorable Judge Mark J. Cavanagh
Admitted to Practice
Washington
Michigan
U.S. Tax Court
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Academics
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (J.D., 1998)
University of Detroit Mercy Moot Court Board of Directors
University of Detroit Mercy Law Review, Editor
Pepperdine University (B.A., 1993)
Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships
Fiduciary Litigation
Trusts and Estates
Publications
“How the New Washington Trust Act and Its 2013 Amendments Affect You and Your Clients,” Community Banker magazine (Winter 2014)
“Estate Plan Checkup — How to Avoid Disputes in a Closely Held Business,” Seattle Business magazine, Co-author (December 2012)
“Adjudications of Testacy, Intestacy or Heirship,” Chapter 11 of the King County Probate Policy and Procedure Manual (2011)
“The Meaning of a Taking...and...Just Compensation... (For) Owners Regulated by the Wetlands Protection Act,” 75 U. Det. Mercy L. Rev., 467 (1998)
Speaking Engagements
“Live in Washington, Shop in Oregon, Die in California — or Move to Canada?” Lane Powell Trusts & ‘Tinis Seminar, Co-presenter (September 15, 2015)
“How Did I Find Myself in a Reality TV Show? Tips for Estate Planners Hoping to Avoid Estate Litigation,” Washington State Bar Association’s 12th Annual Trust & Estate Litigation Seminar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section (April 22, 2015)
“Eight Things Your Clients Should Know About Prenuptial and Property Status Agreements,” Lane Powell Trusts & ‘Tinis Seminar, Co-presenter (November 13, 2014)
“Litigating Prenuptial and Property Status Agreements in Probate Proceedings and Under TEDRA,” Washington State Bar Association’s 5th Annual Trust & Estate Litigation Seminar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section (2008)
Awards and Honors
Named as a “Rising Star,” Washington Law & Politics (2009)
Professional and Community Activities
The Children’s Museum Seattle
Vice Chairman (2013-Present)
Trustee (2011-Present)
Secretary (2012-2013)
Member, King County Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
Member, Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
Member, Washington Women in Tax
Member, Estate Planning Council of Seattle
Member, State Bar of Michigan
Member, MAMAS (Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association of Seattle)
Member, American Bar Association
Languages
Limited German
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