Dawn Sallerson’s practice is devoted to the defense and litigation of professional liability, legal and medical malpractice, class actions, products liability, municipal liability, insurance coverage, construction-related litigation, and personal lines and commercial general liability lawsuits.
Ms. Sallerson has tried numerous cases to verdict in the state and federal courts.
Ms. Sallerson joined Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in September 1986. She is the Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s Belleville, Illinois and Edwardsville, Illinois offices, and also serves on the firm’s Attorney Life Committee and its Associate Hiring and Interview Committee.
She is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, American Bar Association, St. Clair County Bar Association, Memorial Law Committee and the Defense Research Institute. Ms. Sallerson was selected by the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois to serve on the U.S. District Court Local Rules Committee. She was also chosen by the District to serve on the Magistrate Selection Panel.
In July 2009, Ms. Sallerson was named as one of the “Top Ten Women Lawyers Downstate,” by
Leading Lawyers Network Magazine. She has been recognized as a Leading Lawyer in the category of Insurance/Insurance Coverage/Reinsurance Law and also in the category of Personal Injury Defense in the areas of General, Professional Malpractice and Products Liability. Ms. Sallerson has also been rated by Martindale-Hubbell for ethics and legal ability.
Ms. Sallerson serves as Chair and Investigating Member of Hinshaw’s Sexual and Unlawful Harassment Committee. She was also appointed to the firm’s Attorney Evaluation Committee. Ms. Sallerson is the Midwest Region, Belleville office Mentor Coordinator, and also serves as the Belleville office’s chair of continuing legal education programs.
Ms. Sallerson has received substantial recognition for her academic achievements. She is listed in “Who’s Who Among American Law Students,” “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities,” and the “National Register of Outstanding College Graduates.” During her undergraduate studies she was Senior Class President, International Affairs Association President, United Nations Team President, College Council Secretary, Junior Class Treasurer, a member of the Artist Lecture Series Committee and a member of the Publications Advisory Board.
Ms. Sallerson is an editor and contributing author of Hinshaw’s Medical Malpractice Newsletter.
She has spoken before numerous groups on topics related to litigation. The subject matters of her presentations and publications have included:
- “Loss of Chance: The Illinois Perspective,” 2009
- “Illinois Civil Procedure: Local Court Practices,” 2007
- “Defense Issues in Avoiding Breast and Reproductive Cancer Diagnoses Failures,” 2006
- “Civil Defense Practices,” 2006
- “Managing Litigation,” 2006
- “Considerations in Third Party Actions,” 2006.
- “Responsive Pleadings,” 2005
- "Spoliation of Evidence: Issues for the Defense," 2004
- "Pleading Issues in Tort Defense," 2002
- "Pleadings: A Practitioner’s View," 2002
- "Settlement/Release Protection," 2002
- "Discovery and Investigation in Tort Actions," 2000
- "Petrillo Violations," 1998
- "Municipal Immunities," 1998
- "The Future of Tort Reform," 1997
- "Impact of Unconstitutionality of the Tort Reform Act," 1997
- "Significant Recent Decisions Impacting the Tort Immunity Act," 1997
- "Jury Instructions, Their Use and Effect, Under the Tort Reform Act," 1997
- "Major Provisions and Immunities in the Illinois Tort Immunity Act," 1996
- "Illinois Code of Civil Procedure, New Provisions, and the Impact Upon Claim Handling," 1996
- "Illinois Tort Reform Act, The Practical Effects," 1995
- "Illinois Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Provisions," 1995
- "Limitation of Actions in Medical Malpractice Claims," 1995
- "Your Deposition, Preparation and Examination: Defense of Company Procedures," 1994