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.
Dawn's profile highlights her career spanning government, politics, philanthropy, and private practice. At Jenner & Block, she advises clients on complex policy, political, and governance issues that have significant implications for their business. Her work includes leading a class action seeking safe shelter for single adult New Yorkers experiencing homelessness during the pandemic and representing plaintiffs in a national class action against agencies that colluded to pay low wages to au pairs.
Earlier in her career, Dawn served as assistant to the White House chief of staff during the Clinton administration and helped implement the Affordable Care Act as executive secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services under President Barack Obama.
Beyond her legal work, Dawn serves on the boards of the New York City Campaign Finance Board, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and is a dedicated advocate for women's leadership, mentoring colleagues at her firm and supporting women in politics.
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