Coons, James S.

Dawn Figueiras is licensed to practice law in Virginia and Tennessee and routinely practices in both jurisdictions. Her practice focuses on representation of governmental entities and private businesses, handling contractual and litigation matters, employment issues, and immigration.

Ms. Figueiras became a shareholder in Elliott Lawson & Minor, P.C. in 2010, after joining the firm in 2002 as an associate.  In 1987, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Education degree, magna cum laude, from Virginia Tech.  In 2000, she received her Juris Doctor degree from The College of William & Mary's Marshall-Wythe School of Law.  While at William & Mary, Ms. Figueiras was elected to the Order of the Coif and the Order of Barristers, and served as Notes Editor for the William & Mary Law Review.  After serving as a judicial clerk to the Hon. James T. Turner of the United States Court of Federal Claims for the 2000-2001 term, she practiced law with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP in Washington, DC from 2001-2002. 

Ms. Figueiras is a member of the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and currently serves as Vice President of the Bristol Virginia Bar Association.

A native of Russell County, Virginia, Ms. Figueiras resides with her husband of 22 years, Jorge Figueiras, and their bichons in Bristol, Tennessee.  Ms. Figueiras is an active volunteer in the Bristol community as well as with St. Anne's Catholic Church.  She is committed to the mission and work of United Way, and has served on the Board of Directors of United Way of Bristol since 2004; she served as President for 2011 and Evaluations & Allocations Chair for 2012.  Ms. Figueiras has also served on the United Way of Bristol Finance Committee since 2005 and the Personnel Committee since 2011.  She currently serves on the Advisory Council for Bristol YWCA and volunteers with the Bristol Youth Leadership Program (mock trial).  From 2003--2009, Ms. Figueiras served as volunteer coach of the Tennessee High School Mock Trial Team.