Current Role
  • Staff Attorney, Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
  • Practice focuses on class actions involving consumer-related claims, predatory lending practices, and claims on behalf of people harmed by pollution from neighboring power plants.
Experience
  • Prior to becoming an attorney, Dawn worked as a senior paralegal at Hagens Berman for 20 years, managing cases and developing extensive civil procedure experience in jurisdictions across the United States.
  • Ms. Van Diest also worked in the legal department of Mercedes Benz U.S. International, Inc. in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and for the firm of Oven, Gwynn & Strickland in Tallahassee, Florida.
Notable Cases
  • Expedia Litigation, assisted in recovering $134 million settlement for consumers
  • Little et al. v. Louisville Gas & Electric Co.: Part of team representing residents living next to a coal-fired power plant emitting coal ash and dust containing toxic metals in violation of state regulations and federal law
  • In re Bank of America Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) Contract Litigation: Part of team representing homeowners to whom the defendant allegedly promised mortgage modifications as part of a federal program
  • In re Checking Account Overdraft Litigation: Part of team representing banking customers whose accounts were allegedly charged repeated overdraft fees based on the way the banks manipulated transactions
  • WTO Wrongful Arrest Litigation: assisted in recovering $1 million and non-monetary relief for protestors
Personal Insight

Dawn is a native Washingtonian, an avid hiker and music buff. For years, she covered the Washington Huskies football team for a local publication and remains a passionate football fan. Dawn also spends many summer vacations on the family farm, driving tractor.