Please provide a description of your practice.

My 29-year practice has focused primarily on complex insurance coverage litigation, in Illinois and also in State and Federal Courts across the Mid-West region. I have also had substantial experience in tort defense litigation and commercial litigation. This has given me a wide exposure to numerous subject areas such as: construction defect; environmental contamination; product liability; professional liability; statutory cases such as BIPA; trucking accidents; personal injury; consumer protection; defamation; and many other equitable remedies.

Why are you a member of the WBAI?

I joined the WBAI right out of law school, back in 1994. I first became active through the Golf Outing, which I chaired for its first 10 years. I really became active when I saw the networking possibilities across so many different practice areas. Through every committee, and up through my year as WBAI President in 2005/2006, I have met life-long friends, important professional contacts and even future clients. I remain active in the WBAI today as one of the Co-Chairs of the Past Presidents Advisory Committee because the core mission – improving the personal and professional life of women lawyers in Illinois – is so very important to me.

What do you think is the best way to empower women in law?

Empowerment can take many forms and there isn’t necessarily a “best” form. Significant empowerment comes through mentorship of younger women, standing up against systemic biases and unfair burdens for advancement. Sometimes, a simple word of encouragement at the right moment of doubt or insecurity can be very impactful. We can all find ways to help empower other women lawyers.

What are you most looking forward to in the following year, personally/professionally?

I am spending almost every free moment in pursuit of an election campaign for Judge in the 11th Subcircuit. I am also really looking forward to my youngest son’s college graduation next Spring, and the last of the college tuition payments!

Tell us something interesting about you.

I have had a wide variety of athletic interests over the years- from playing on my high school’s boys golf team (thank you Title IX!), to achieving Black Belt status in Tae Kwon Do in 2017, to a playing in a couple of hockey games on a local women’s team. Unfortunately, I tore the meniscus in my right knee a few months ago, which has sidelined a lot of my physical activities and places knee surgery on the schedule for Spring 2024.

Dawn Gonzalez, Partner at Stone & Johnson Chartered, focuses primarily on complex insurance coverage litigation in Illinois and also in State and Federal Courts across the Mid-West region. She joined the WBAI in 1994 and chaired the Golf Outing for its first 10 years. She served as WBAI President in 2005-2006 and remains active in the organization today.