DawnMertineit
Partner
Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud and Non-Competes
dmertineit@seyfarth.com
"My number one priority is helping my clients achieve their goals—whether that includes litigation, or avoiding it entirely."
More About Dawn
For more than a decade, Dawn has represented corporations and their directors and officers in a number of industries in complex commercial litigation, litigating partnership, franchise, real estate, and whistleblower disputes, with a special emphasis on noncompete and trade secrets litigation. She understands that many clients rely on noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements to protect their most valuable assets, while others face hurdles in recruiting and onboarding new employees bound by such restrictive covenants. Dawn brings her experience and knowledge of state and federal laws to help her clients navigate these issues, from drafting agreements and executing rollout and enforcement strategies, to analyzing competitor agreements and proposing recruitment and onboarding plans, and prosecuting or defending against claims related to breach of restrictive covenants or misappropriation of trade secrets.
Dawn represents clients in trade secret and noncompete matters in a number of jurisdictions. This cross-state knowledge is particularly critical, as states continue to pass new legislation relevant to restrictive covenants and trade secrets. As the co-editor of and a frequent contributor to Seyfarth's award-winning Trading Secrets blog, Dawn remains current with new laws and key developments in this space, and provides clients with crucial updates about the laws that affect their businesses. In light of her thought leadership in this area, Dawn has been quoted in a number of legal and industry publications, including Bloomberg Law, Law360, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and SC Magazine.
In litigating all manner of disputes, Dawn provides practical advice and creative solutions, which play a critical role in helping her clients navigate costly and time-consuming litigation with minimal disruption to their businesses. She also helps clients avoid litigation when desired, allowing them to focus on their businesses rather than litigation.
Dawn enjoys working at Seyfarth because it allows her to collaborate with attorneys she describes as "smart, hard-working, and down-to-earth"—and who also provide practical, efficient solutions to complex legal issues. She is also proud to be the pro bono coordinator for the Boston office, as well as a member of the Diversity & Inclusion team.
Dawn represents clients in trade secret and noncompete matters in a number of jurisdictions. This cross-state knowledge is particularly critical, as states continue to pass new legislation relevant to restrictive covenants and trade secrets. As the co-editor of and a frequent contributor to Seyfarth's award-winning Trading Secrets blog, Dawn remains current with new laws and key developments in this space, and provides clients with crucial updates about the laws that affect their businesses. In light of her thought leadership in this area, Dawn has been quoted in a number of legal and industry publications, including Bloomberg Law, Law360, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and SC Magazine.
In litigating all manner of disputes, Dawn provides practical advice and creative solutions, which play a critical role in helping her clients navigate costly and time-consuming litigation with minimal disruption to their businesses. She also helps clients avoid litigation when desired, allowing them to focus on their businesses rather than litigation.
Dawn enjoys working at Seyfarth because it allows her to collaborate with attorneys she describes as "smart, hard-working, and down-to-earth"—and who also provide practical, efficient solutions to complex legal issues. She is also proud to be the pro bono coordinator for the Boston office, as well as a member of the Diversity & Inclusion team.
- JD, Boston University School of Law
Cum laude
Honors in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Concentration
Journal of Science and Technology Law, managing editor
Criminal Clinic student prosecutor - BA, Colby College
Magna cum laude
Distinction in French
- Massachusetts
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
- US Bankruptcy Court, District of Massachusetts
Related Key Industries
Blogs
- Represented a logistics company in high-stakes, aggressively litigated action against four former senior management employees and their new company for breaches of restrictive covenants and misappropriation of trade secrets under the Defend Trade Secrets Act. Obtained preliminary injunction for more than two years prohibiting defendants from soliciting customers or employees or using trade secrets, successfully defended against multiple appeals to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and secured summary judgment for the plaintiff, ultimately leading to a highly favorable settlement on the eve of trial to determine our client’s damages (including attorneys’ fees).
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Represented a genomic profiling company in a suit in Washington state against its former employee and his new employer (a direct competitor of the plaintiff), for violation of restrictive covenants and tortious interference. Obtained a complete victory at the injunction stage, including a court order prohibiting the competitor from employing the individual in any capacity (given Seyfarth’s winning argument that there was no role for the employee with the competitor that would not necessarily breach the restrictive covenants), leading to a substantial settlement for our client.
-
Represented a medical device company against claims from an affiliated individual including breach of contract, fraud, and violation of Massachusetts’ unfair business practices act, resulting in a complete dismissal of all claims against the company prior to discovery.
-
Defended a bank against frivolous allegations of wrongdoing from a former employee whistleblower. Following the bank’s submission of its position statement to OSHA rebutting the alleged whistleblower’s claims, the individual voluntarily withdrew her complaint.
-
Represented a software provider in the energy industry in a federal suit against its former employee and her new employer for violation of her restrictive covenants; following motion practice on the software provider’s request for an injunction, and on the eve of what would have been grueling, fast-paced expedited discovery as ordered by the court in response to Seyfarth’s motion, the parties agreed to settle on terms highly favorable to Seyfarth’s client.
-
Representing a retail franchisor in defending against claims from a rogue franchisee for alleged violations of the franchise agreements, as well as aggressively litigating affirmative claims against the franchisee for violations of his restrictive covenants.
-
Represented a manufacturer of life science products in a pre-litigation dispute against a former employee who engaged in a variety of unlawful conduct, including misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information and other IP-related misconduct. Negotiated a forensic remediation protocol to resolve the matter without resorting to litigation.
-
Represented a values-based investment firm in various employee matters, including drafting appropriate restrictive covenants agreements for key employees and negotiating mutually satisfactory agreements upon termination of said employees.
-
Prepared a trade secrets audit and proposed plan for enhanced security of critical intellectual property on behalf of a major beverage company.
- Represented a major international staffing firm in an action against its former executive and her new employer for violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, breach of fiduciary duty, and conversion. Obtained a preliminary injunction prohibiting the former executive from soliciting the staffing firm’s clients, despite the lack of a non-solicit agreement. Successfully opposed the defendants’ motion to dismiss or in the alternative for summary judgment.
- Counseled various clients, including major retailers, franchisors, software companies, and staffing agencies on enforceability of non-compete agreements and other restrictive covenants, as well as trade secret protection.
- First chaired trial on behalf of real estate investment group against claims for violation of consumer protection statute; obtained directed verdict after close of plaintiffs' case.
- Successfully defended major international bank before OSHA against alleged whistleblower’s claims of retaliatory employment practices in violation of SOX and Dodd-Frank, resulting in dismissal of the alleged whistleblower’s claim. Currently representing bank on appeal before the Department of Labor.
- Represented international convenience store franchisor in federal suit against former franchisee and landlord for breach of contract, unfair trade practices, and conversion related to defendants’ refusal to allow franchisor to remove its property. Obtained injunctive relief prohibiting defendants from operating property during the pendency of the action, and ultimately obtained settlement allowing franchisor to remove its property.
- Successfully represented urine drug testing laboratory in retaliation claim related to False Claims Act litigation.
- Successfully defended medical practice from three simultaneous lawsuits involving allegations of age discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, and shareholder disputes.
- Represented one of America’s largest seafood importers and distributors in suit for breach of contract, fraud, fraudulent inducement, and unfair competition arising out of major bank’s refusal to honor a letter of credit, successfully defeating the bank’s motion to dismiss, resulting in a highly lucrative settlement for the client. Represented same client in international contract dispute, resulting to dismissal of all claims against client.
- Represented one of the world’s largest real estate investment groups in federal suit for declaratory judgment seeking an order that a contract for sewer fees entered into in 1987 with a municipality was an illegal tax as opposed to a permissible fee. Obtained summary judgment and an order that the city repay six years’ of payments to the client, plus interest, totaling more than $1.1 million.
- Represented plaintiff bank in adversary proceeding against condominium trust seeking declaratory judgment on statutory construction issue related bankruptcy proceedings. Successfully defeated the condominium trust’s motion to dismiss, obtained summary judgment on the declaratory judgment count, and defeated the condominium trust’s cross-motion for summary judgment.
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
Dec 20, 2024
FTC Cracks Down on Use of No-Hire Agreements As Anti-Competitive
-
Recognition
11/21/2024
Nine Seyfarth Attorneys Selected as 2024 “Top Lawyers” by Boston Magazine
-
Blog Post
Nov 12, 2024
FTC Amends Pre-Merger Notification Rules Affecting Use of Restrictive Covenants
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Blog Post
Sep 25, 2024
The Saga’s Not Over – FTC Appeals Florida Court’s Stay of Non-Compete Rule
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Trade Secrets Law (2024-2025)
- Recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters), The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2023-2024)
- Recommended Attorney, Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters), The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2021-2024)
- Recognized member of the Seyfarth’s Pro Bono Team of the Year (2021)
- Received the Pro Bono All-Star Award by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2018)
- Selected as a Top Rated Rising Star in Boston for Civil Litigation by Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) (2016-2017)
- Recognized as one of 40 "Boston Rising Stars" by the National Law Journal in collaboration with the Connecticut Law Tribune (2015)
- Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Future Leaders Program (2014)
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American Bar Association, content editor for the Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee
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American Bar Association, co-chair of the Woman Advocate Committee’s Intellectual Property Subcommittee
-
Intellectual Property Owners Association, Vice Chair of Trade Secrets Committee
- ITechLaw Association, World Technology Law Conference local planning committee, panel curator, 2019
- Boston Bar Association
- American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
- Women’s Bar Association
- Co-Author, "FTC Cracks Down on Use of No-Hire Agreements As Anti-Competitive," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 19, 2024)
- Co-Author, "What is a Trade Secret," American Bar Association (August 2024)
- Co-Author, “Federal Texas Court Sets Aside with “Nationwide Effect” the FTC Rule Banning Non-Competes,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 21, 2024)
- Author, "The FTC’s non-compete ban: What to know and how to respond," International Employment Lawyer (May 2, 2024)
- Co-Author, “FTC Non-Compete Ban: What You Need to Know,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 25, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Guarding Secrets: Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Restrictive Covenants in 2024 ," 2024 Commercial Litigation Outlook, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 2024)
- Co-Author, "NLRB joins FTC in taking aim at non-competes," Virgina Lawyers Weekly (June 19, 2023)
- Co-Author, "FTC Proposes Rule Banning Use of Non-Competes with Employees and Workers and Limiting Employer Protections Against Unfair Competition," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 5, 2023)
- Co-Author, "2022 Trade Secrets Webinar Series: Takeaways & Recordings," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 29, 2022)
- "More States Eye Low-Wage Non-Compete Bans," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 7, 2022)
- "Colorado Criminalizes Attempts to Curb Competition," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 21, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Seyfarth Partners Sign on to New Letter Urging Caution on Federal Regulation of Non-Competes," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 23, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Webinar Recap! Overview of Non-Compete Legislation and Enforcement Issues from 2021," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 22, 2021)
- Co-Author, "2021 Trade Secrets Webinar Series: Takeaways & Recordings," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 21, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Upcoming Webinar! Overview of Non-Compete Legislation and Enforcement Issues from 2021," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 9, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Mirroring Peloton Won’t Result in Victory," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 4, 2021)
- "Nevada Amends Non-Compete Statute Protecting Low-Wage Workers and Imposing Award of Attorneys’ Fees for Certain Violations," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 30, 2021)
- "Dawn Mertineit to Present Lex Machina’s 2021 Trade Secret Litigation Report," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 18, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Seyfarth’s Trade Secrets Group Earns Top Tier Ranking from Legal 500 for Sixth Consecutive Year," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 14, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Texas Decision Highlights Concerns Regarding Limiting Enforceability of Non-Compete Agreements During COVID-19 Pandemic," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 14, 2021)
- "'So' Long, Circuit Split: SCOTUS Hears Oral Argument on Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Case," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 2, 2020)
- "Dawn Mertineit to Participate in “Forensic Analysis of Electronic Devices for Litigation” Roundtable," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 18, 2020)
- "1st Circ. Ruling Is Cautionary Trade Secret Tale For Employers," Law360 (August 28, 2020)
- "Rare First Circuit Decision Invalidating NDA and Overturning Misappropriation Verdict Serves as a Cautionary Tale," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 12, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Seyfarth Partners Present Webinar on Remote Work Force in the Age of COVID-19," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 21, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Superior Court Axes an Attempt to Expand the Scope of the Seminal Non-Compete Law Concerning Material Change in Employment," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 8, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Dawn Mertineit and Robert Milligan Author an Article in Daily Journal Concerning FTC’s Role in Regulating Employment Non-Competes," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 23, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Can’t we just be like California?" The Daily Journal (June 9, 2020)
- "First, Do No Harm: Oncology Group Agrees to $100M Fine Following Criminal Antitrust Investigation," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 21, 2020)
- "Security From Afar: How Best to Protect Trade Secrets in a World of Remote Working, Zoombombing, and Uncertainty," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 20, 2020)
- Co-Author, "A Decade of Data Whets the Appetite for Data Nerds: Lex Machina Releases 2020 Report on Trade Secret Litigation," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 7, 2020)
- Co-Author, "The First Circuit Weighs in on the Applicability of Massachusetts’ Non-Compete Law," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 29, 2020)
- Co-Author, "A Check-Up on Non-Competes: Indiana Legislature Passes Law to Facilitate Physician Mobility," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2020)
- Co-Author, "The DOJ and FTC Issue Joint Statement on Competition in Labor Markets in Light of COVID-19: What Effect, If Any, Does This Have on Non-Competes?" Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2020)
- "It Takes Us All To Tango: Seeking Gender Parity in a Law Firm Environment," American Bar Association, The Woman Advocate, Vol. 25, Issue 3 (Spring 2019)
- "Washington State Governor Signs Law Severely Limiting Non-Competes," Whistleblower Team Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 2019)
- “Non-Compete Reform Bill Will Only Create More Confusion, Uncertainty, and Litigation,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (August 13, 2018 Ed.)
- "At Long Last, Non-Compete Legislation: Massachusetts Finally Passes Non-Compete Bill After Nearly a Decade," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 2, 2018)
- Contributor, “Data Security Statutes” Chapter of Data Security and Privacy Law treatise, Thomson Reuters (2017 Edition)
- Lead Author, ”Restrictive Covenants and Protection of Trade Secrets and Other Intellectual Property in Employment Agreements” Chapter of Drafting Employment Documents In Massachusetts treatise (MCLE, 2016 Edition)
- Contributor, “Employee Mobility, Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets," Chapter of the ABA Annual Review of Recent Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation (2015 Edition)
- Lead Author, "Restrictive Covenants and Protection of Trade Secrets and Other Intellectual Property in Employment Agreements” Chapter of Drafting Employment Documents In Massachusetts treatise (MCLE, 2015 Edition)
- Contributor, “Data Security Statutes” Chapter of Data Security and Privacy Law treatise, Thomson Reuters (2015 Edition)
- "2014 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Year in Review," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 17, 2014)
- Contributor, “Employee Mobility, Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets," Chapter of the ABA Annual Review of Recent Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation (2014 Edition)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Governor Proposes Sweeping Legislation Banning Non-Compete Agreements," Client Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 18, 2014)
- "Washington State Governor Signs Law Severely Limiting Non-Competes," Whistleblower Team Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Top 10 Whistleblower Decisions of 2012," Client Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 24, 2013)
- Contributor, "Employee Mobility, Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets," Chapter of the ABA Annual Review of Recent Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation (2013 Edition)
- Co-Author, "SEC's Rules Implementing Dodd-Frank's Bounty Provisions Provide Whistleblowers with a Dangerous Weapon," Securities Regulation Law Journal, Volume 39, Number 2 (Summer 2011)
- Co-Presenter, “Unveiling Trade Secrets Breaches: Leveraging Forensic Examinations for Robust IP Protection,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 24, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, “Unveiling Trade Secrets Breaches: Leveraging Forensic Examinations for Robust IP Protection,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 24, 2024)
- Co-Speaker, “Policy Matters Podcast - Episode 42: Deciphering the FTC's Non-Compete Overhaul,” Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 8, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, “Commercial Litigation Outlook: Insights and Predictions for Litigation Trends in 2024,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 2, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "Commercial Litigation Outlook: Insights and Predictions for Litigation Trends in 2024," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 20, 2024)
- Co-Speaker, “Commercial Litigation Outlook - Navigating Legal Minefields: Insights on Restrictive Covenants, eDiscovery, and Privacy Compliance,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 11, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "2023 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Recap: Key Takeaways and Access to Recordings," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 19, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "What Employers Need to Know Regarding Non-Compete Changes in 2023," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 29, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Managing Trade Secrets in a Remote Work Environment," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 21, 2023)
- Co-Speaker, "Session 5: Commercial Litigation: Insights and Predictions for the Transportation & Logistics Industries in 2023," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Commercial Litigation Outlook: Insights and Predictions for Litigation Trends in 2023, Part 1: Commercial Litigation Outlook: Insights and Predictions for Litigation Trends in 2023," Webinar Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 7, 2023)
- Presenter, “Drafting and Enforcing Restrictive Covenants in Multiple Jurisdictions,” Webinar, Federal Bar Association & myLawCLE (January 19, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "FTC Proposes Rule Banning Use of Non-Competes. Now What?," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 12, 2023)
- Speaker, "How Multijurisdictional Businesses Should Approach Non-Competes," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 18, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Hold on to Your Trade Secrets: The Winds of Change Are Howling Around Employee Non-Compete Agreements," Intellectual Property Owners Association 2022 Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA (September 19, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Overview of Non-Compete Legislation and Enforcement Issues from 2021," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 16, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Forensic Analysis of Electronic Devices for Litigation," ABA Litigation Section (September 22, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Lex Machina’s Trade Secret Litigation Report for 2021," Lex Machina (June 18, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Handling a Remote Work Force and Return to Work Considerations in the Age of COVID-19: Best Practices for Protecting Trade Secrets and Confidential Information" (July 21, 2020)
- Co-Presenter, "Protecting Trade Secrets in the Pharmaceutical Industry in the Age of COVID-19," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 9, 2020)
- Co-Presenter, "Women Litigators in the Age of Implicit Bias," ABA 2019 Women in Litigation Joint CLE Conference, Chicago, IL (November 14, 2019)
- Co-Presenter, "Non-Compete Agreements - What You Need to Know About the New Law," Boston Bar Employment Law Conference, Boston, MA (October 25, 2018)
- Co-Presenter, "2018 Massachusetts Non-Compete and Trade Secrets Reform: What Companies with Massachusetts Employees Need to Know," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 16, 2018)
- Co-Presenter, "The Anatomy of a Trade Secret Audit," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 22, 2018)
- Co-Presenter, "Protecting Trade Secrets in the Social Media Age," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 28, 2017)
- Co-Presenter, "Protecting Confidential Information and Client Relationships in the Financial Services Industry," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2017)
- Co-Presenter, "Enforcing Trade Secret and Non-Compete Provisions in Franchise Agreements," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 21, 2016)
- Co-Presenter, "State Specific Non-Compete Oddities Employers Should Be Aware Of," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 18, 2015)
- Co-Presenter, "Massachusetts Moves to Ban Non-Competes – Dawn Mertineit Explains What Employers Should Do Now," LexBlog (April 28, 2014)
- Quoted, "The Great Juggling Act: How Working Parents Have Kept Law Firms—and Kids—Thriving Through It All," The American Lawyer (December 2, 2021)
- Quoted, "High Court Clarifies When Employee’s Data Misuse Violates Federal Fraud Act," SHRM (June 7, 2021)
- Quoted, "SCOTUS limits scope of computer fraud law. Here's the business impact," Cybersecurity Dive (June 4, 2021)
- Quoted, "Supreme Court narrows interpretation of CFAA, to the relief of ethical hackers," SC Magazine (June 3, 2021)
- Quoted, "Why a Supreme Court case could have major implications for your work computer: What NC companies need to know," Triangle Business Journal (December 11, 2020)
- Quoted, "Van Buren vs US Case To Be Reviewed by Supreme Court; CFAA Terms Have Major Implications for the Security Industry," CPO Magazine (December 9, 2020)
- Quoted, "Supreme Court decision on computer fraud law hinges on one word — 'so'," Cybersecurity Dive (December 1, 2020)
- Quoted, "Supreme Court scrutinizes Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in case closely watched by hackers," SC Magazine (December 1, 2020)
- More Than Words (officer and director 2010-2016; board of advisors 2016-present)
"You have done a remarkable job under ridiculous circumstances."
"We were lucky to have you on our team. You are confident and a calming influence."
"Dawn came up to speed on issues very quickly and drafted some fantastic documents. We ended up settling the claim for around 70% of what was owed, which was an outcome better than what I had expected. Dawn was super responsive and was perfect in guiding me through the entire process."
"Working with you gave me a tremendous amount of confidence. Your 'bedside' manner really made what could have been an incredibly stressful experience bearable."
"My number one priority is helping my clients achieve their goals—whether that includes litigation, or avoiding it entirely."
More About Dawn
For more than a decade, Dawn has represented corporations and their directors and officers in a number of industries in complex commercial litigation, litigating partnership, franchise, real estate, and whistleblower disputes, with a special emphasis on noncompete and trade secrets litigation. She understands that many clients rely on noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements to protect their most valuable assets, while others face hurdles in recruiting and onboarding new employees bound by such restrictive covenants. Dawn brings her experience and knowledge of state and federal laws to help her clients navigate these issues, from drafting agreements and executing rollout and enforcement strategies, to analyzing competitor agreements and proposing recruitment and onboarding plans, and prosecuting or defending against claims related to breach of restrictive covenants or misappropriation of trade secrets.
Dawn represents clients in trade secret and noncompete matters in a number of jurisdictions. This cross-state knowledge is particularly critical, as states continue to pass new legislation relevant to restrictive covenants and trade secrets. As the co-editor of and a frequent contributor to Seyfarth's award-winning Trading Secrets blog, Dawn remains current with new laws and key developments in this space, and provides clients with crucial updates about the laws that affect their businesses. In light of her thought leadership in this area, Dawn has been quoted in a number of legal and industry publications, including Bloomberg Law, Law360, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and SC Magazine.
In litigating all manner of disputes, Dawn provides practical advice and creative solutions, which play a critical role in helping her clients navigate costly and time-consuming litigation with minimal disruption to their businesses. She also helps clients avoid litigation when desired, allowing them to focus on their businesses rather than litigation.
Dawn enjoys working at Seyfarth because it allows her to collaborate with attorneys she describes as "smart, hard-working, and down-to-earth"—and who also provide practical, efficient solutions to complex legal issues. She is also proud to be the pro bono coordinator for the Boston office, as well as a member of the Diversity & Inclusion team.
Dawn represents clients in trade secret and noncompete matters in a number of jurisdictions. This cross-state knowledge is particularly critical, as states continue to pass new legislation relevant to restrictive covenants and trade secrets. As the co-editor of and a frequent contributor to Seyfarth's award-winning Trading Secrets blog, Dawn remains current with new laws and key developments in this space, and provides clients with crucial updates about the laws that affect their businesses. In light of her thought leadership in this area, Dawn has been quoted in a number of legal and industry publications, including Bloomberg Law, Law360, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and SC Magazine.
In litigating all manner of disputes, Dawn provides practical advice and creative solutions, which play a critical role in helping her clients navigate costly and time-consuming litigation with minimal disruption to their businesses. She also helps clients avoid litigation when desired, allowing them to focus on their businesses rather than litigation.
Dawn enjoys working at Seyfarth because it allows her to collaborate with attorneys she describes as "smart, hard-working, and down-to-earth"—and who also provide practical, efficient solutions to complex legal issues. She is also proud to be the pro bono coordinator for the Boston office, as well as a member of the Diversity & Inclusion team.
- JD, Boston University School of Law
Cum laude
Honors in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Concentration
Journal of Science and Technology Law, managing editor
Criminal Clinic student prosecutor - BA, Colby College
Magna cum laude
Distinction in French
- Massachusetts
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
- US Bankruptcy Court, District of Massachusetts
Related Key Industries
Blogs
- Represented a logistics company in high-stakes, aggressively litigated action against four former senior management employees and their new company for breaches of restrictive covenants and misappropriation of trade secrets under the Defend Trade Secrets Act. Obtained preliminary injunction for more than two years prohibiting defendants from soliciting customers or employees or using trade secrets, successfully defended against multiple appeals to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and secured summary judgment for the plaintiff, ultimately leading to a highly favorable settlement on the eve of trial to determine our client’s damages (including attorneys’ fees).
-
Represented a genomic profiling company in a suit in Washington state against its former employee and his new employer (a direct competitor of the plaintiff), for violation of restrictive covenants and tortious interference. Obtained a complete victory at the injunction stage, including a court order prohibiting the competitor from employing the individual in any capacity (given Seyfarth’s winning argument that there was no role for the employee with the competitor that would not necessarily breach the restrictive covenants), leading to a substantial settlement for our client.
-
Represented a medical device company against claims from an affiliated individual including breach of contract, fraud, and violation of Massachusetts’ unfair business practices act, resulting in a complete dismissal of all claims against the company prior to discovery.
-
Defended a bank against frivolous allegations of wrongdoing from a former employee whistleblower. Following the bank’s submission of its position statement to OSHA rebutting the alleged whistleblower’s claims, the individual voluntarily withdrew her complaint.
-
Represented a software provider in the energy industry in a federal suit against its former employee and her new employer for violation of her restrictive covenants; following motion practice on the software provider’s request for an injunction, and on the eve of what would have been grueling, fast-paced expedited discovery as ordered by the court in response to Seyfarth’s motion, the parties agreed to settle on terms highly favorable to Seyfarth’s client.
-
Representing a retail franchisor in defending against claims from a rogue franchisee for alleged violations of the franchise agreements, as well as aggressively litigating affirmative claims against the franchisee for violations of his restrictive covenants.
-
Represented a manufacturer of life science products in a pre-litigation dispute against a former employee who engaged in a variety of unlawful conduct, including misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information and other IP-related misconduct. Negotiated a forensic remediation protocol to resolve the matter without resorting to litigation.
-
Represented a values-based investment firm in various employee matters, including drafting appropriate restrictive covenants agreements for key employees and negotiating mutually satisfactory agreements upon termination of said employees.
-
Prepared a trade secrets audit and proposed plan for enhanced security of critical intellectual property on behalf of a major beverage company.
- Represented a major international staffing firm in an action against its former executive and her new employer for violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, breach of fiduciary duty, and conversion. Obtained a preliminary injunction prohibiting the former executive from soliciting the staffing firm’s clients, despite the lack of a non-solicit agreement. Successfully opposed the defendants’ motion to dismiss or in the alternative for summary judgment.
- Counseled various clients, including major retailers, franchisors, software companies, and staffing agencies on enforceability of non-compete agreements and other restrictive covenants, as well as trade secret protection.
- First chaired trial on behalf of real estate investment group against claims for violation of consumer protection statute; obtained directed verdict after close of plaintiffs' case.
- Successfully defended major international bank before OSHA against alleged whistleblower’s claims of retaliatory employment practices in violation of SOX and Dodd-Frank, resulting in dismissal of the alleged whistleblower’s claim. Currently representing bank on appeal before the Department of Labor.
- Represented international convenience store franchisor in federal suit against former franchisee and landlord for breach of contract, unfair trade practices, and conversion related to defendants’ refusal to allow franchisor to remove its property. Obtained injunctive relief prohibiting defendants from operating property during the pendency of the action, and ultimately obtained settlement allowing franchisor to remove its property.
- Successfully represented urine drug testing laboratory in retaliation claim related to False Claims Act litigation.
- Successfully defended medical practice from three simultaneous lawsuits involving allegations of age discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, and shareholder disputes.
- Represented one of America’s largest seafood importers and distributors in suit for breach of contract, fraud, fraudulent inducement, and unfair competition arising out of major bank’s refusal to honor a letter of credit, successfully defeating the bank’s motion to dismiss, resulting in a highly lucrative settlement for the client. Represented same client in international contract dispute, resulting to dismissal of all claims against client.
- Represented one of the world’s largest real estate investment groups in federal suit for declaratory judgment seeking an order that a contract for sewer fees entered into in 1987 with a municipality was an illegal tax as opposed to a permissible fee. Obtained summary judgment and an order that the city repay six years’ of payments to the client, plus interest, totaling more than $1.1 million.
- Represented plaintiff bank in adversary proceeding against condominium trust seeking declaratory judgment on statutory construction issue related bankruptcy proceedings. Successfully defeated the condominium trust’s motion to dismiss, obtained summary judgment on the declaratory judgment count, and defeated the condominium trust’s cross-motion for summary judgment.
Related News & Insights
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Legal Update
Dec 20, 2024
FTC Cracks Down on Use of No-Hire Agreements As Anti-Competitive
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Recognition
11/21/2024
Nine Seyfarth Attorneys Selected as 2024 “Top Lawyers” by Boston Magazine
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Blog Post
Nov 12, 2024
FTC Amends Pre-Merger Notification Rules Affecting Use of Restrictive Covenants
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Blog Post
Sep 25, 2024
The Saga’s Not Over – FTC Appeals Florida Court’s Stay of Non-Compete Rule
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Trade Secrets Law (2024-2025)
- Recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters), The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2023-2024)
- Recommended Attorney, Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters), The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2021-2024)
- Recognized member of the Seyfarth’s Pro Bono Team of the Year (2021)
- Received the Pro Bono All-Star Award by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2018)
- Selected as a Top Rated Rising Star in Boston for Civil Litigation by Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) (2016-2017)
- Recognized as one of 40 "Boston Rising Stars" by the National Law Journal in collaboration with the Connecticut Law Tribune (2015)
- Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Future Leaders Program (2014)
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American Bar Association, content editor for the Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee
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American Bar Association, co-chair of the Woman Advocate Committee’s Intellectual Property Subcommittee
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Intellectual Property Owners Association, Vice Chair of Trade Secrets Committee
- ITechLaw Association, World Technology Law Conference local planning committee, panel curator, 2019
- Boston Bar Association
- American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
- Women’s Bar Association
- Co-Author, "FTC Cracks Down on Use of No-Hire Agreements As Anti-Competitive," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 19, 2024)
- Co-Author, "What is a Trade Secret," American Bar Association (August 2024)
- Co-Author, “Federal Texas Court Sets Aside with “Nationwide Effect” the FTC Rule Banning Non-Competes,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 21, 2024)
- Author, "The FTC’s non-compete ban: What to know and how to respond," International Employment Lawyer (May 2, 2024)
- Co-Author, “FTC Non-Compete Ban: What You Need to Know,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 25, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Guarding Secrets: Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Restrictive Covenants in 2024 ," 2024 Commercial Litigation Outlook, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 2024)
- Co-Author, "NLRB joins FTC in taking aim at non-competes," Virgina Lawyers Weekly (June 19, 2023)
- Co-Author, "FTC Proposes Rule Banning Use of Non-Competes with Employees and Workers and Limiting Employer Protections Against Unfair Competition," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 5, 2023)
- Co-Author, "2022 Trade Secrets Webinar Series: Takeaways & Recordings," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 29, 2022)
- "More States Eye Low-Wage Non-Compete Bans," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 7, 2022)
- "Colorado Criminalizes Attempts to Curb Competition," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 21, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Seyfarth Partners Sign on to New Letter Urging Caution on Federal Regulation of Non-Competes," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 23, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Webinar Recap! Overview of Non-Compete Legislation and Enforcement Issues from 2021," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 22, 2021)
- Co-Author, "2021 Trade Secrets Webinar Series: Takeaways & Recordings," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 21, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Upcoming Webinar! Overview of Non-Compete Legislation and Enforcement Issues from 2021," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 9, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Mirroring Peloton Won’t Result in Victory," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 4, 2021)
- "Nevada Amends Non-Compete Statute Protecting Low-Wage Workers and Imposing Award of Attorneys’ Fees for Certain Violations," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 30, 2021)
- "Dawn Mertineit to Present Lex Machina’s 2021 Trade Secret Litigation Report," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 18, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Seyfarth’s Trade Secrets Group Earns Top Tier Ranking from Legal 500 for Sixth Consecutive Year," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 14, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Texas Decision Highlights Concerns Regarding Limiting Enforceability of Non-Compete Agreements During COVID-19 Pandemic," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 14, 2021)
- "'So' Long, Circuit Split: SCOTUS Hears Oral Argument on Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Case," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 2, 2020)
- "Dawn Mertineit to Participate in “Forensic Analysis of Electronic Devices for Litigation” Roundtable," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 18, 2020)
- "1st Circ. Ruling Is Cautionary Trade Secret Tale For Employers," Law360 (August 28, 2020)
- "Rare First Circuit Decision Invalidating NDA and Overturning Misappropriation Verdict Serves as a Cautionary Tale," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 12, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Seyfarth Partners Present Webinar on Remote Work Force in the Age of COVID-19," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 21, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Superior Court Axes an Attempt to Expand the Scope of the Seminal Non-Compete Law Concerning Material Change in Employment," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 8, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Dawn Mertineit and Robert Milligan Author an Article in Daily Journal Concerning FTC’s Role in Regulating Employment Non-Competes," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 23, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Can’t we just be like California?" The Daily Journal (June 9, 2020)
- "First, Do No Harm: Oncology Group Agrees to $100M Fine Following Criminal Antitrust Investigation," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 21, 2020)
- "Security From Afar: How Best to Protect Trade Secrets in a World of Remote Working, Zoombombing, and Uncertainty," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 20, 2020)
- Co-Author, "A Decade of Data Whets the Appetite for Data Nerds: Lex Machina Releases 2020 Report on Trade Secret Litigation," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 7, 2020)
- Co-Author, "The First Circuit Weighs in on the Applicability of Massachusetts’ Non-Compete Law," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 29, 2020)
- Co-Author, "A Check-Up on Non-Competes: Indiana Legislature Passes Law to Facilitate Physician Mobility," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2020)
- Co-Author, "The DOJ and FTC Issue Joint Statement on Competition in Labor Markets in Light of COVID-19: What Effect, If Any, Does This Have on Non-Competes?" Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2020)
- "It Takes Us All To Tango: Seeking Gender Parity in a Law Firm Environment," American Bar Association, The Woman Advocate, Vol. 25, Issue 3 (Spring 2019)
- "Washington State Governor Signs Law Severely Limiting Non-Competes," Whistleblower Team Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 2019)
- “Non-Compete Reform Bill Will Only Create More Confusion, Uncertainty, and Litigation,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (August 13, 2018 Ed.)
- "At Long Last, Non-Compete Legislation: Massachusetts Finally Passes Non-Compete Bill After Nearly a Decade," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 2, 2018)
- Contributor, “Data Security Statutes” Chapter of Data Security and Privacy Law treatise, Thomson Reuters (2017 Edition)
- Lead Author, ”Restrictive Covenants and Protection of Trade Secrets and Other Intellectual Property in Employment Agreements” Chapter of Drafting Employment Documents In Massachusetts treatise (MCLE, 2016 Edition)
- Contributor, “Employee Mobility, Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets," Chapter of the ABA Annual Review of Recent Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation (2015 Edition)
- Lead Author, "Restrictive Covenants and Protection of Trade Secrets and Other Intellectual Property in Employment Agreements” Chapter of Drafting Employment Documents In Massachusetts treatise (MCLE, 2015 Edition)
- Contributor, “Data Security Statutes” Chapter of Data Security and Privacy Law treatise, Thomson Reuters (2015 Edition)
- "2014 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Year in Review," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 17, 2014)
- Contributor, “Employee Mobility, Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets," Chapter of the ABA Annual Review of Recent Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation (2014 Edition)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Governor Proposes Sweeping Legislation Banning Non-Compete Agreements," Client Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 18, 2014)
- "Washington State Governor Signs Law Severely Limiting Non-Competes," Whistleblower Team Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Top 10 Whistleblower Decisions of 2012," Client Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 24, 2013)
- Contributor, "Employee Mobility, Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets," Chapter of the ABA Annual Review of Recent Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation (2013 Edition)
- Co-Author, "SEC's Rules Implementing Dodd-Frank's Bounty Provisions Provide Whistleblowers with a Dangerous Weapon," Securities Regulation Law Journal, Volume 39, Number 2 (Summer 2011)
- Co-Presenter, “Unveiling Trade Secrets Breaches: Leveraging Forensic Examinations for Robust IP Protection,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 24, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, “Unveiling Trade Secrets Breaches: Leveraging Forensic Examinations for Robust IP Protection,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 24, 2024)
- Co-Speaker, “Policy Matters Podcast - Episode 42: Deciphering the FTC's Non-Compete Overhaul,” Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 8, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, “Commercial Litigation Outlook: Insights and Predictions for Litigation Trends in 2024,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 2, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "Commercial Litigation Outlook: Insights and Predictions for Litigation Trends in 2024," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 20, 2024)
- Co-Speaker, “Commercial Litigation Outlook - Navigating Legal Minefields: Insights on Restrictive Covenants, eDiscovery, and Privacy Compliance,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 11, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "2023 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Recap: Key Takeaways and Access to Recordings," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 19, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "What Employers Need to Know Regarding Non-Compete Changes in 2023," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 29, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Managing Trade Secrets in a Remote Work Environment," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 21, 2023)
- Co-Speaker, "Session 5: Commercial Litigation: Insights and Predictions for the Transportation & Logistics Industries in 2023," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Commercial Litigation Outlook: Insights and Predictions for Litigation Trends in 2023, Part 1: Commercial Litigation Outlook: Insights and Predictions for Litigation Trends in 2023," Webinar Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 7, 2023)
- Presenter, “Drafting and Enforcing Restrictive Covenants in Multiple Jurisdictions,” Webinar, Federal Bar Association & myLawCLE (January 19, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "FTC Proposes Rule Banning Use of Non-Competes. Now What?," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 12, 2023)
- Speaker, "How Multijurisdictional Businesses Should Approach Non-Competes," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 18, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Hold on to Your Trade Secrets: The Winds of Change Are Howling Around Employee Non-Compete Agreements," Intellectual Property Owners Association 2022 Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA (September 19, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Overview of Non-Compete Legislation and Enforcement Issues from 2021," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 16, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Forensic Analysis of Electronic Devices for Litigation," ABA Litigation Section (September 22, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Lex Machina’s Trade Secret Litigation Report for 2021," Lex Machina (June 18, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Handling a Remote Work Force and Return to Work Considerations in the Age of COVID-19: Best Practices for Protecting Trade Secrets and Confidential Information" (July 21, 2020)
- Co-Presenter, "Protecting Trade Secrets in the Pharmaceutical Industry in the Age of COVID-19," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 9, 2020)
- Co-Presenter, "Women Litigators in the Age of Implicit Bias," ABA 2019 Women in Litigation Joint CLE Conference, Chicago, IL (November 14, 2019)
- Co-Presenter, "Non-Compete Agreements - What You Need to Know About the New Law," Boston Bar Employment Law Conference, Boston, MA (October 25, 2018)
- Co-Presenter, "2018 Massachusetts Non-Compete and Trade Secrets Reform: What Companies with Massachusetts Employees Need to Know," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 16, 2018)
- Co-Presenter, "The Anatomy of a Trade Secret Audit," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 22, 2018)
- Co-Presenter, "Protecting Trade Secrets in the Social Media Age," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 28, 2017)
- Co-Presenter, "Protecting Confidential Information and Client Relationships in the Financial Services Industry," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2017)
- Co-Presenter, "Enforcing Trade Secret and Non-Compete Provisions in Franchise Agreements," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 21, 2016)
- Co-Presenter, "State Specific Non-Compete Oddities Employers Should Be Aware Of," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 18, 2015)
- Co-Presenter, "Massachusetts Moves to Ban Non-Competes – Dawn Mertineit Explains What Employers Should Do Now," LexBlog (April 28, 2014)
- Quoted, "The Great Juggling Act: How Working Parents Have Kept Law Firms—and Kids—Thriving Through It All," The American Lawyer (December 2, 2021)
- Quoted, "High Court Clarifies When Employee’s Data Misuse Violates Federal Fraud Act," SHRM (June 7, 2021)
- Quoted, "SCOTUS limits scope of computer fraud law. Here's the business impact," Cybersecurity Dive (June 4, 2021)
- Quoted, "Supreme Court narrows interpretation of CFAA, to the relief of ethical hackers," SC Magazine (June 3, 2021)
- Quoted, "Why a Supreme Court case could have major implications for your work computer: What NC companies need to know," Triangle Business Journal (December 11, 2020)
- Quoted, "Van Buren vs US Case To Be Reviewed by Supreme Court; CFAA Terms Have Major Implications for the Security Industry," CPO Magazine (December 9, 2020)
- Quoted, "Supreme Court decision on computer fraud law hinges on one word — 'so'," Cybersecurity Dive (December 1, 2020)
- Quoted, "Supreme Court scrutinizes Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in case closely watched by hackers," SC Magazine (December 1, 2020)
- More Than Words (officer and director 2010-2016; board of advisors 2016-present)
"You have done a remarkable job under ridiculous circumstances."
"We were lucky to have you on our team. You are confident and a calming influence."
"Dawn came up to speed on issues very quickly and drafted some fantastic documents. We ended up settling the claim for around 70% of what was owed, which was an outcome better than what I had expected. Dawn was super responsive and was perfect in guiding me through the entire process."
"Working with you gave me a tremendous amount of confidence. Your 'bedside' manner really made what could have been an incredibly stressful experience bearable."