Dawn Stolfi Stalenhoef
For Dawn, becoming a lawyer was the plan all along. From her earliest years, she showed a knack for negotiation—a talent that has evolved into a lifelong practice of helping clients navigate complex challenges with clarity and purpose.
When Dawn set out to become an environmental lawyer, she deliberately charted a non-traditional path to get there. Believing the strongest advocates are those who understand both the science and the law, she pursued a master’s degree in environmental studies then worked as an environmental scientist at a consulting engineering firm while earning her law degree at night. That combination of technical expertise and legal training gives her a rare perspective that continues to define her practice today.
Dawn advises a diverse mix of clients—including technology innovators, renewable energy companies, developers, lenders, large and small business owners, nonprofits, and high-net-worth individuals—on the environmental issues that often define or derail their goals. Her practice spans regulatory compliance, governmental enforcement actions, and the environmental aspects of complex business transactions. She is known for her work with brownfield properties, where she helps clients address legacy contamination and reimagine sites once seen as liabilities into viable, thriving assets.
Education
- JD, cum laude, Suffolk University Law School
- MA, Simmons College
- BA, Merrimack College
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
Experience recognized
- Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, Top Women of Law, 2023
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Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, Director
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Needham Land Trust, Inc., Director
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Licensed Site Professionals Association, Regulations Committee Member
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Boston Bar Association, Environment and Energy Section, Wetlands and Waterways Committee, Co-Chair
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NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association), Massachusetts Chapter
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Needham Conservation Commission, Commissioner (2008–2013)