DAWN's Family Lawyers & Staff
Each divorce lawyer and the attorneys are members of the State Bar of Michigan and the Family Law Section. Attorney practice background includes real estate, probate and estate planning, business matters. Understanding and experience in these areas is beneficial in negotiating and drafting property settlements and related documents, especially in cases with substantial assets or cases involving business interests where valuations are necessary.
David Caplan, Senior Partner
David Caplan attended Tulane University and Wayne State University to receive his undergraduate degree, received his law degree from Detroit College of Law in 1974 and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in the same year. He has 50 years of practice experience in family law matters with more than half of those years dedicated solely to the representation of women. He has practiced as a divorce lawyer under the DAWN banner since founding the firm in 1992, filling a niche that would finally help level the playing field between women and men in all family law areas. While it is flattering to have spawned imitators, they have only copied the notion but not the spirit of what was originally set out to be done: protecting women’s rights with professionalism and integrity. David enjoys cooking, motorcycles and cars. He has been happily married for 55 years and has two children and four grandchildren.
Kelsey Marie Minor, Managing Partner
Kelsey Minor grew up in Traverse City, Michigan. She worked in a law office throughout her undergraduate and law school. In law school, she volunteered at the Legal Assistance Center, where she helped pro se litigants with divorce and custody-related matters. She has a passion for advocating for the rights of her clients and understands the emotional impact that divorce can have on families. Kelsey has been an attorney at D.A.W.N. Family Law since March 2020. She is Vice President of the Wayne County Family Law Bar Association. She is a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Michigan Inter-Professional Association on Marriage, Divorce, and the Family, and the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. She actively volunteers at the Wayne County Child Support Clinic, Michigan Humane Society, Jewish Family Services, and Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy. Kelsey enjoys traveling, staying active, and spending time with family and friends.
Julia S. Rosen, Senior Attorney
Julia Rosen graduated with honors from Michigan State University and earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. With experience in various areas of law, she finds Family Law particularly rewarding, as it allows her to support individuals during challenging times. Julia is dedicated to guiding her clients through complex processes, aiming for the best possible outcomes. She is a member of the Wayne County Family Law Bar Association. Julia enjoys reading, traveling, working out and cooking. She has two children and a dog.
Catherine M. Douglas, Associate Attorney
Cate Douglas graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, with a BFA in Writing and earned her JD from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She also has her MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. While in law school, she worked for the Ohio Innocence Project, the UC Domestic Violence and Civil Protection Order Clinic, the Hamilton County Office of the Public Defender, and the civil rights law firm Friedman, Gilbert & Gerhardstein. Cate’s professional passion is advocating for the rights of those historically excluded from easy access to the legal system, particularly women. Her personal passions are swimming as often as she can, reading novels, watching horror movies, and talking about reality TV. She is married and has two cats.
Rachel A. Frawley, Director of Legal Operations
Rachel A. Frawley graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts. She returned to school in Washington, D.C., a few years later and received her Master of Business Administration from American University. She has been with D.A.W.N. since 2001. It is Rachel’s mission to assist the attorneys in their dedication to helping women protect their rights and ease the stress of their situation. Rachel enjoys entertaining, lifting weights, traveling, and being with family and friends. She has been happilymarried for 27 years and has three children, one dog and a lizard.
Julia C. Russo, Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Julia C. Russo joined DAWN after graduating from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She minored in Women’s and Gender Studies and worked as an Advocate for the Michigan State University Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention Team. During her time at DAWN, Julia has completed her Paralegal Certification through Oakland University. She enjoys running, weightlifting, reading, and playing with her two cats.