Dawn L. Hassell
Managing Attorney
When it comes to personal injury cases, you need more than just a lawyer, you need a fighter, a strategist, and a champion. Dawn L. Hassell is one of San Francisco’s best-known personal injury lawyers, renowned for securing record-breaking settlements and courtroom victories. Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, pedestrian accident, or a catastrophic injury, Dawn is the unwavering advocate you need to maximize your chances of obtaining a successful outcome for your case.
Dawn combines legal ingenuity with genuine compassion for every client’s case at her law firm, The Hassell Law Group. Her results speak for themselves: a $12.5 million settlement for a head-on truck collision victim, a $4.67 million court judgment for a motorcyclist hit by a wrong-way driver, and countless other success stories. Dawn doesn’t just win cases—she changes lives.
With over 26 years of personal injury experience and accolades including a ten-year Super Lawyer designation, Dawn is an expert at ensuring her clients receive the justice and compensation they deserve. Every case she handles becomes a priority for her legal team.
Dawn built a reputation as a relentless advocate for injury victims by securing exceptional case results and holding negligent parties accountable. Dawn holds an undefeated record in trial and arbitration, demonstrating her ability to achieve maximum compensation for her clients.
Record-Breaking Case Results
Dawn has obtained multi-million-dollar settlements and judgments for her clients, including:
- $12.5 Million+ Confidential Settlement – For a woman seriously injured in a head-on collision caused by a commercial truck driver.
- $5 Million Settlement – For an elderly couple involved in a fatal head-on crash caused by a negligent driver.
- $4.9 Million Settlement – For a farmworker injured in a commercial truck accident.
- $4.67 Million Court Judgment – For a motorcyclist struck by a wrong-way driver.
- $4.6 Million Settlement – For a physician who suffered an impalement injury in a trip and fall accident.
- $4.5 Million Settlement – For a pedestrian in her 60s who suffered a brain injury after being hit in a crosswalk.
- $2.525 Million Settlement – For two pedestrians struck by a loose trailer pulled by an agricultural vehicle.
- $1.75 Million Settlement – For a man rear-ended by a commercial truck, requiring spinal surgery.
- $1.5 Million Settlement – For a rideshare driver who sustained a surgical collarbone fracture in a high-speed head-on collision.
- $1.5 Million Settlement – For a 78-year-old pedestrian hit in a crosswalk, suffering head and knee injuries.
Nationally Recognized Legal Excellence
Dawn’s legal skills and dedication have earned her some of the highest honors in the legal profession:
- Super Lawyer (2014-2025): Recognized among the top 5% of attorneys in personal injury law for 10 consecutive years.
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100: Reserved for the most elite trial lawyers in the country.
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum: Membership is limited to attorneys who have secured verdicts and settlements exceeding $2 million, an honor held by less than 1% of attorneys nationwide.
- Best Lawyers (2025): Inclusion based entirely on peer review, recognizing outstanding legal talent in the field of plaintiff’s personal injury law.
- Nation’s Top One Percent (2023-2025): Selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, which recognizes exceptional legal professionals who elevate the standards of the legal profession.
- Attorney and Practice Magazine Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney: An invitation-only distinction awarded to less than 1% of attorneys nationwide.
Top Verdict Rankings in California
Dawn has consistently secured some of the largest personal injury settlements in California, earning recognition from Top Verdict.com:
- Top 10 Personal Injury Settlements in California (2024)
- Top 10 Wrongful Death Settlements in California (2024)
- Top 10 Animal Attack/Dog Bite Settlements in California (2023)
- Top 10 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in California (2022)
- Top 10 Truck Accident Settlements in California (2022)
- Top 10 Pedestrian Accident Settlements in California (2022)
- Top 10 Premises Liability Settlements in California (2020)
- Top 20 Personal Injury Settlements in California (2022)
- Top 20 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in California (2022)
- Top 20 Pedestrian Accident Settlements in California (2020)
- Top 50 Personal Injury Settlements in California (2022, 2023)
- Top 50 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in California (2020, 2022, 2023)
- Top 50 Wrongful Death Settlements in California (2020)
Distinguished Leadership and Community Recognition
Dawn’s contributions extend beyond the courtroom. She served as a Distinguished Member of the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (2002-2012), advocating for legal excellence and the rights of injury victims.
Her firm has also been consistently recognized by Expertise.com as one of:
- The Best Personal Injury Attorneys in San Francisco 2025
- The Best Car Accident Attorneys in San Francisco 2025
Client Satisfaction and Professional Excellence
Dawn’s relentless pursuit of justice has earned her widespread praise from clients and peers alike:
- Hundreds of 5-star client reviews on Google and Yelp, reflecting her dedication to delivering outstanding results.
- Recognized by San Francisco Magazine for 11 consecutive years as one of the Top Women Attorneys in Northern California (2014-2024).
Education and Legal Background
Dawn was admitted to the California Bar in 1998. She earned her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, one of the top law schools in the country.
She completed her undergraduate studies at Binghamton University (SUNY), graduating Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and in the top 1% of her class.
A Relentless Fighter for Injury Victims
Dawn’s legal expertise, negotiation skills, and winning record have positioned her as one of the leading personal injury attorneys in Northern California.