Companies and educational institutions trust Dawn Sestito as their go-to outside counsel, relying on her to guide them through all manner of sensitive disputes, from arbitrations and regulatory inquiries to class-action claims and bet-the-company litigation. Drawing on her own wide-ranging commercial litigation experience and leveraging the expertise of O’Melveny specialists, Dawn builds the right teams and brings the right resources to achieve the best outcomes for clients across a range of industries.

Dawn represents some of the world’s largest companies, defending them against claims including product mislabeling, breach of contract, employment discrimination, and public nuisance—an emerging legal battleground where she has extensive experience. She has particular expertise in environmental matters, including litigation, regulatory, and administrative proceedings. As a member of the firm’s Colleges & Universities practice, Dawn has extensive experience counseling and defending educational institutions, including in matters involving Title IX, Clery, and allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. In 2023, Dawn was recognized in Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Women of Influence: Attorneys” list for providing trusted counsel to companies and individuals across practice lines and geographies.

A respected leader within the firm, Dawn serves as Co-Chair of O’Melveny’s General Litigation Practice. She previously served in several other leadership roles, including as Managing Partner of O’Melveny’s Los Angeles office, as the firm’s Southern California Litigation Regional Head, as head of the Associate and Counsel Review Committee, and as a member of the Partner Compensation Committee.