Dawn A. Lott is an accomplished attorney and community leader. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and her Juris Doctorate from Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School. Ms. Lott has specialized in matrimonial, employment and labor, and corporate/ commercial litigation throughout her legal career. She served as Of Counsel to Bart & Schwartz, LLP, and later joined the law firm of Dandeneau & Curto, LLP. In 2005, she co-founded the law partnership, Dandeneau & Lott.
Ms. Lott currently serves as the Executive Director of the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission, leading initiatives to protect the rights of over 1.5 million residents. She has drafted and implemented legislation that strengthens the County’s human rights laws, including the RISE Act, which prohibits employers from inquiring into a candidate’s salary history; the “ban the box” law, which eliminates a criminal history checkbox from appearing on job applications; and other laws prohibiting discrimination based on physical attributes, such as protective hairstyles.
Her work in the legal profession and community has earned her numerous awards and honors, including Outstanding Woman in Law by Hofstra Law, the NAACP Islip Legacy Award, the Extraordinary Public Servant Award by former Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone and the Outstanding Change Maker Award by Empact Inc.
Ms. Lott is the current President of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”). During her tenure she established the Mentorship Committee, facilitating connections between seasoned practitioners and aspiring lawyers, thereby fostering a robust membership pipeline. Additionally, under her leadership, WBASNY organized the Read Across America program in the children’s centers of New York Family Courts for the first time. Persistent efforts were made towards the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). WBASNY also successfully fought for the passage of the Judicial Security Act, additional migrant funding and increased support for reproductive healthcare.
Ms. Lott’s commitment to community leadership is evident in her past roles as the President of the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association and Amistad Black Long Island Bar Association. She is currently the First Vice President of the National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC), the First Vice Chair of the Girls Scouts of Suffolk County, the Ethics Chair of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Long Island Chapter and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. – Rho Omega Zeta Chapter. These roles reflect her dedication to women’s empowerment and human rights advocacy.
In her spare time, Ms. Lott enjoys hiking and yoga, and spending quality time with family and friends. She is guided by the belief that to whom much is given, much is required.