D.M. Harris Law is located in La Crosse, WI, focusing on Labor Law, Employment Law, Family Law - including divorce, custody support, child support, guardianship, as well as Civil Litigation - including small claims matters, breach of contract issues, and more. D.M. Harris Law, LLC
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Dawn Marie Harris
Attorney
Dawn Marie Harris, Attorney - D.M. Harris Law is located in La Crosse, WI, focusing on Labor Law, Employment Law, Family Law - including divorce, custody support, child support, guardianship, as well as Civil Litigation - including small claims matters, breach of contract issues, and more.
Focus of Practice:
- Employment and Labor Law
- Family Law
- Civil Litigation
- Criminal Defense

Court/Bar Admissions:
- State Bar of Wisconsin, 1993
- Federal District Court for the
Western District of Wisconsin, 1993
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, 2001
Education:
- J.D. with honors, Marquette
University School of Law, 1993;
- B.A., University of
Wisconsin - Madison, 1990

Dawn Marie Harris graduated with honors from Marquette University Law School. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. As both a college student and law student, she was a recipient of a Phillip Morris Academic Scholarship for seven years.

Attorney Harris opened her own independent law firm as of August 4, 2008, with her Paralegal of over six years, Kendra Brown (f/k/a Johnson). Prior to August 1, 2008, she had been a partner and shareholder at O'Flaherty Heim, Egan, Ltd. for almost ten years, heading up their Employment and Labor Law Department for her entire tenure there. Her article contributions to that law firm are held in esteem today as they are still included on that firm's website. Attorney Harris brings dedication and more than 18 years of experience to her clients. Her boutique law firm focuses on employment, labor, family and civil law matters in a client focused, compassionate and responsive manner. Calls are returned and deadlines are met. She participates in joint representation with her client every step of the way. She has tried hundreds of State and Federal cases in the employment and labor law realm throughout her over 18 years of experience.

Professional and Civic Involvement:

Frequent Topic Presenter on Employment Law Issues
Past President (2009-2011) and Member, La Crosse Noon Wisconsin Women's Alliance f/k/a La Crosse Noon Business and Professional Women's Group
Winner of State Woman of Determination Award for La Crosse Noon Wisconsin Women's Alliance (2011)
Current Executive Board member for the Wisconsin Women's Alliance (State position)
Current Board Member of the La Crosse YWCA organization, Chair of Personnel Committee
Past President (2001-2003) and Member, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Author of Monthly Newsletter Legal Updates from 2001-2009 for La Crosse SHRM
Past President and Member, La Crosse Noon Optimistic Club (President 1999-2000, member from 1993 through 2003)
Former Volunteer Attorney, Central High School Mock Trial Competition (1994-1998)
Past President, La Crosse Area Young Lawyers Association
Member, La Crosse County Bar Association
Member, Wisconsin State Bar
Member, Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers
Member, Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Cub Scout Leader (2006 through 2010)
2009 Lady for Blessed Sacrament Mardi Gras
Member, National Federation of Independent Business Owners (NFIB)
Participant, WINS (Women In Networking Support)
Lincoln Middle School PTO
Emerson Elementary School PTO

A fair sampling of the litigation Attorney Harris has been counsel for since her admission to the bar in 1993 includes the following:

Perri v. Diocese of La Crosse (1995) - Court of Appeals decision finding religion teacher was ministerial, First Amendment applied to preclude court from exercising jurisdiction over challenge to non-renewal of contract.
V.H. v. Estate of B.B. (1996) - Minnesota Supreme Court decision which established Minnesota Court jurisdiction over the estate of a sexual abuser on behalf of a victim.
Gioioso v. Diocese of La Crosse (1994) - Court of Appeals decision upholding dismissal of sexual abuse claims on personal jurisdictional grounds.
Gioioso v. State of Wis., Catholic Charities and Diocese of La Crosse (1994) (7th Cir.) - upholding dismissal of Sec. 1983 lawsuit.
Coulee Catholic Schools vs. Ostlund, Labor and Industry Review Commission (2009) - Wisconsin Supreme Court case argued against Jim Birnbaum with the State Attorney's office dealing with First Amendment - Free Exercise Clause issues, defining the ministerial exemption for grade school teachers in Catholic Schools.
Jahn Transfer, Inc. v. Horizon Freightways, Inc. (2011) - La Crosse County Circuit Court week long jury trial with jury verdict of $1.3 million pending final Order of Court - issue of breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation.

  
Kendra Brown
Paralegal
Kendra Brown, Paralegal - D.M. Harris Law is located in La Crosse, WI, focusing on Labor Law, Employment Law, Family Law - including divorce, custody support, child support, guardianship, as well as Civil Litigation - including small claims matters, breach of contract issues, and more.

Ms. Brown graduated from Western Wisconsin Technical College in 2004 with an Associate's Degree. She is from this area, having lived in Black River Falls prior to moving to La Crosse for school in 2002. She is a current member, Membership Chair and past Secretary of the La Crosse Noon Wisconsin Women's Alliance f/k/a the La Crosse Noon Business and Professional Women's Group, and has worked with Attorney Dawn Harris for over six years.
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