With over three decades of trial-tested experience and as a former prosecutor, Dawn Farina has built an extraordinary law practice by utilizing her well-earned expertise and legal knowledge with precise and positive results. She has the unique ability and expertise to identify weaknesses and issues in the prosecution’s case and use that information to her client’s advantage.
By successfully executing thousands of felony and misdemeanor criminal cases during her career, Dawn can provide a first-rate defense for clients facing challenging situations – including charges of aggravated murder, child sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, burglary, theft, driving under the influence, among many more.
Dawn has extensive knowledge in presenting and defending against all types of forensic evidence and asserted defenses, including self-defense, mental disease, cell phone, and DNA.
Upon graduating from law school, Dawn worked as a public defender before being recruited by the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office. Dawn spent 29 years with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office, first as a trial attorney and working up the rank to the position of Chief of Staff. As COS, she worked with three different elected prosecutors during her tenure. In addition to trying some of the biggest felony cases in the county, Dawn oversaw over 200 employees and supervised the office’s top leadership team, including the Chief Criminal Deputy and the Chief Criminal Investigator. Dawn oversaw the management of over 13,000 cases each year.
Dawn left the prosecutor’s office to pursue a new opportunity with the City of Fife. They recruited her to create a new prosecution program in their municipal court system. As the City Prosecutor, Dawn was responsible for the effective execution of all aspects of prosecution for the city. This included conducting jury trials, negotiating plea agreements, reviewing and charging cases, and writing and arguing appeals.
Dawn spent over three decades training and advising law enforcement on police use of force, police pursuits, search warrants, and investigation of crimes. She knows what to look for when reviewing a case investigated by law enforcement and can spot deficiencies in their investigation.
Dawn is the former President of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, which represents over 1400 lawyers in Pierce County. She is the recipient of the Special Pro-Bono Leadership Award for facilitating the creation of a Native American Legal Aid Program in Pierce County, recipient of the Gold Star Award from the Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Pierce County, recipient of the Fife Police Department’s special recognition award for providing expertise and insight to the Fife Police Department, and recipient of City of Fife’s excellence in public service award.
Puget Law Group welcomed Dawn in 2024 as our Senior Attorney. In 2025, she was named as a Partner in the firm.
Dawn Farina is a dedicated and steadfast advocate for individuals facing criminal charges. She brings a strategic mindset and an exceptional work ethic to every case, ensuring her clients receive the high-quality, effective representation they deserve. Known for achieving outstanding results, Dawn consistently exceeds expectations and delivers both success and hope to those she represents—earning her a reputation as a highly sought-after criminal defense attorney.
