Dawn L.Smalls

Crain's New York Business has named Partner Dawn Smalls to its 2026 Women of Influence list. Dawn is one of only four lawyers recognized on this year's list, which honors leaders across New York's nonprofits, law firms, financial institutions, and public agencies who are reshaping how the city operates and elevating their peers in the process.

Jenner & Block Partner Dawn Smalls will present at the Deans' Workshops and Development Conference hosted by the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar and Association of American Law Schools (AALS). 

Jenner & Block Partner Dawn Smalls will present at the Deans' Workshops and Development Conference hosted by the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar and Association of American Law Schools (AALS). 

Jenner & Block Partner Dawn Smalls and Associates Illyana Green and Lauren May recently authored the article "Nonprofit Civic Engagement, Election Administration Activities Under Congressional Scrutiny," published in NonProfit PRO, a leading resource for nonprofit management and strategy. In the article, the authors highlight the growing scrutiny from Congress on tax-exempt organizations, particularly 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities, due to their involvement in civic engagement and election adm

House Bill 9495 (H.R. 9495), a bill passed during the 118th Congress, is legislation worth watching for non-profits and other aid organizations. H.R. 9495 passed the House on November 21, 2024, and if passed during the new Congress, Section 4 of the bill would expand the authority of the Treasury Secretary to now include the authority to revoke the tax-exempt status of “terrorist supporting organizations.” The move to revoke the tax-exempt status of “terrorist supporting” organizations would on

Partner Dawn Smalls was recently appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL).

I. Introduction

Jenner & Block welcomed four of the nation’s highest-profile state leaders—Attorney General Rob Bonta (CA), Attorney General Leticia James (NY), Attorney General Dana Nessel (MI), and Attorney General Kwame Raoul (IL)—for a conversation around their key initiatives and priorities over the next four years

City & State New York named Partner Dawn Smalls to their inaugural 40 in Their 40s list. This recognition highlights 40 New Yorkers in their 40s who are power players in government, advocacy, media, business, and lobbying.

The U.S. Supreme Court's 2023-2024 term ended with a flurry of groundbreaking decisions that will have a long-lasting impact on American democracy.Abortion advocates had long awaited the court's rulings in two cases heard this term: U.S. Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a case involving the FDA's regulation of mifepristone, one of two drugs used in most medication abortions; and Moyle v. U.S., a case concerning whether the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor A

On Thursday morning, the Supreme Court issued its decision in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. Justice Kavanaugh wrote for a unanimous Court dismissing the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine from the case for lack of Article III standing. Justice Thomas joined the Court’s opinion in full but wrote a separate concurrence to address the issue of associational standing. Although the decision has generally been hailed as a victory for reproductive rights, the litigation over access to mifepr

Jenner & Block commemorates the remarkable achievements and lasting impact that Partner Susan Kohlmann, President of the New York City Bar Association from 2022 to 2024, brought to the Bar, the firm, the New York legal community, and the international rule of law and justice across the globe.

On May 1, celebrate Law Day by joining Partner Dawn Smalls as she moderates a discussion with Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, hosted by the New York City Bar Association.

The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday in the consolidated cases of Moyle v. United States, Case No. 23-726 and Idaho v. United States, Case No. 23-727. These cases asked the justices to consider whether the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) conflicts with Idaho’s criminal abortion ban, which applies to all abortions except those “necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman” or that follow reported rape or incest. Idaho Code § 18-622.

A pro bono client and her three teenage children have an optimistic future in United States after being granted asylum through efforts of a partnership between Jenner & Block, JPMorgan Chase, and the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC).

Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the two consolidated cases concerning access to mifepristone pending before the Court, FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, Case No. 23-235 and Danco Laboratories, LLC v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, Case No. 23-236. Mifepristone is one of two medications commonly used in medication abortion since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2000. Since FDA’s initial approval of mifepristone for abortion in 2000, F

Women’s eNews has named Partner Dawn Smalls the 2024 recipient of its Dorothy Height Champion for Racial Equality Award. The award is part of the publication’s ‘21 Leaders for the 21st Century’ series and will be presented at their 24th annual Gala in New York City. Winners were selected “due to the innovative programs and practices they provide to help ensure full equality regardless of gender, race, age, sexual orientation, or abilities.”

On March 7, Partner Dawn Smalls will join the Fordham Law Women Symposium for a panel discussion on creating and sustaining inclusive workplaces in the face of increasing attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

Jenner & Block is proud to sponsor the 12th Annual Center for Reproductive Rights Gala in New York. Partner Dawn Smalls, Co-Chair of the firm’s Reproductive Health Task Force, is on the host committee of the event.

Crain’s New York Business recognized Jenner & Block Partners Dawn Smalls and Joanna Wright among its 2023 Notable Women in Law. The list recognizes women “not only for their skills and accomplishments in the courtroom, but for their leadership outside of it.” Dawn and Joanna were honored for their trailblazing work and impact on the New York legal community.