Meet Dawn!
(Attorney/Mediator/Guardian ad Litem)
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Dawn Elizabeth de Klerk, Esq. has made Georgia her home since 1992. Ms. de Klerk obtained her Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Florida State University and her Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law. Ms. de Klerk is a member of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia, DeKalb Bar Association, Douglas County Bar Association, and a registered civil and domestic relations mediator with Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.
Ms. de Klerk began practicing in the area of family law in 1993, and since that time, has continued to work exclusively in the interest of families as a mediator, a Guardian ad Litem, and as an attorney representing clients, children and families. Ms. de Klerk as a member of the State Bar of Georgia has been admitted to practice before all Georgia courts including the Georgia Supreme Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals. She has litigated in 30 Georgia counties. Ms. de Klerk also has completed Collaborative Law Training.
Additionally, Ms. de Klerk has contributed to several volunteer organizations including Fulton County Truancy Intervention Project, Habitat for Humanity, DeKalb County Woman’s Resource Center, DeKalb Family Law Information Center (FLIC), Georgia Child Support Hotline, Fulton County Judicial Citizen Panel Review, and Good Samaritan Center. She is a member of Douglasville First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Atlanta Seminole Club, Atlanta Track Club and a member of Phi Mu Sorority.
Ms. de Klerk has assisted clients in all phases of contested and uncontested matters involving divorce, alimony, equitable division, child custody and parenting time, child support, contempt, restraining orders, guardian ad litem investigations, legitimation, pre and post nuptial agreements, modification issues, paternity, and mediation services.
She believes part of her responsibility as an attorney is to educate clients about the impact the law will have on their specific issues and families. Ms. de Klerk strives to help them understand the legal implications associated with their choices and provide them with the information they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
Meet Savannah!
(Paralegal)
As a native Georgian, Savannah received her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and Spanish Language and Culture from Georgia College and State University with honors. While attending Georgia College and State University, Savannah was heavily involved in the Mock Trial team and the Student Judicial Board. Once she graduated college, Savannah followed her passion for law and became a paralegal in order to learn more about the legal and logistical machinations of a successful law firm.
She is dedicated to thinking critically and creatively to support Ms. de Klerk and her clients to the fullest extent possible. Her professional and friendly character perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the DE KLERK LAW & MEDIATION.
Meet Susan!
(Paralegal)
Susan, a Brooklyn native, has 28 years of paralegal experience specializing exclusively in Family Law. Her career as a Family Law paralegal resulted from her own divorce. Susan prepared for her case and conducted herself so well during her divorce process that her attorney at the time offered her a job.
Through her following decades of experience, Susan developed and finely tuned an in-depth understanding of the progression of the legal processes associated with Family Law, refined her case management processes, and mastered legal document drafting. To decompress after a long day, Susan enjoys reading mystery books in her garden.
In her time as Ms. de Klerk’s paralegal, Susan has proven herself to be an essential member of the DEKLERK LAW & MEDIATION team.
Dawn de Klerk was literally my saving grace. I won’t disclose details because they involve other people – also innocent and don’t need to be mentioned. What matters is that Dawn – for no personal gain—devoted untold hours to helping us. She has the skills and the heart that we all hope we will encounter in an hour of need. My recommendation for Dawn de Klerk is of the highest order. She will listen and she will care.
During my divorce process, Dawn de Klerk provided me with clear and accurate legal information and strong advocacy at every step of the process. She was incredibly responsive and took care of every detail in a very timely way. And, just as important to me during an emotional and difficult time, she treated me with dignity, kindness, and respect. I felt like I was her most important client; I’d be willing to guess that every client feels like that. I appreciate both her professional excellence and her personal warmth and integrity.
I am so grateful that I chose Decatur attorney Dawn De Klerk to represent me in my divorce from a very long-term marriage. She was very attentive, reassuring, thorough, and worked very hard to negotiate the best possible settlement agreement for me. She also was very straightforward and told me what, realistically, I could ask for and expect to get. After the divorce, she also followed up with both a phone call and a detailed reminder letter outlining the steps that now should be taken, such as changing utilities and beneficiaries, etc. I would, without any hesitation, highly recommend her services!
Amazing, powerhouse, professional, on time every time, always willing to help!!! These are things that come to mind when I think of Dawn de Klerk!!! I recommend her to everyone.
Thank you for everything,
I highly recommend Dawn DeKlerk for family and law services. Dawn took over my case in 2021 and was very hands on and thorough from the beginning to the end. Dawn’s experience, knowledge and expertise with family law was a blessing to my case and I’m so appreciative of her and her staff. Dawn took the time to answer all of my questions and explain the laws to me. Dawn DeKlerk is an honest, hardworking and experienced professional that will make sure that you are satisfied.
One of the most stressful things I have experienced in my life was divorce and the subsequent financial and child agreements between parties. I had met with or worked with three previous attorneys. I will politely say that the experience was nothing like working with Dawn de Klerk. When meeting with Dawn, she listened intently and looked at the flaws in my agreement that were causing conflict. She was very responsive in email or phone calls and I never had to wait for her response (she was so responsive that there were times I delayed sending an email just so she wouldn’t interrupt her life). She was clear and honest about the law and she knows the law well. But she also knows you when you see her. She remembers small details and understands the big picture. She made a very difficult time much easier. I would without any reservation refer her to anyone who needs a family lawyer.