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

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 48 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 53 years and has two children and four grandchildren.


Matthew A. Caplan

Matthew Caplan is a family law/divorce lawyer who has been practicing in the family law field exclusively for the past 25 years. Matthew’s expertise lies in the areas of divorce, same-sex divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, paternity, post-judgment modifications, high conflict cases, and litigation of large asset estates and complex financial matters. Matthew attended and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1992, Wayne State University Law School in 1997, and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1997. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the Michigan Bar Association. He is admitted to practice law in federal court as well. Matthew takes pride in the work he has done bringing justice to the lives of many clients who suffered at the hands of abusive spouses. Matthew enjoys assisting those who need help and relishes the opportunity to help the underdogs of the world stand up for themselves. Matthew is an avid runner, golfer, and cook, who enjoys spending time outside with his wife of 23 years and 20-year-old son.

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Matthew A. Caplan
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Matthew volunteers at the William Booth Legal Aid Clinic and is on the Board of Trustees of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He is active in advocating for lower prescription drug costs and has met with politicians in Lansing and Washington D.C to lobby for health care reform.


Kelsey Marie Minor

Kelsey Marie Minor grew up in Traverse City, Michigan. She earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Legal Studies from Grand Valley State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Western Michigan Cooley Law School. She worked in a law office throughout undergraduate and law school. While living in Grand Rapids, she volunteered at the Legal Assistance Center where she helped pro se litigants file for divorce. She has a passion for advocating for the rights of her clients and understands the emotional impact that divorce can have on families. In her free time, she volunteers at the Michigan Humane Society and enjoys hiking, soccer, and pilates.


 

Lauren E. Smith

Lauren Smith earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Writing from Grand Valley State University and a Juris Doctor Degree from Valparaiso University School of Law. She is currently licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan and the State of Illinois. Lauren is dedicated to protecting women’s legal rights and helping them navigate through complex Family Law issues. It is her passion to help propel her clients into their next stage of life and see the promising future that lies ahead. In her free time, Lauren enjoys cooking, reading, traveling and spending time with her significant other and their two dogs.


Grace

Grace Frazee

Grace Frazee was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They attended Wayne State University and earned a Bachelors of Art in Public Relations and a Juris Doctor degree while also being a 5-year member of the Varsity Women’s Volleyball team. During law school, Grace worked for several law offices in the Metro-Detroit area, which gave them valuable litigation experience and helped spark a passion for giving a voice to clients who society views as the underdog. Additionally, Grace spent time as a student-attorney at the Wayne State Disability Law Clinic, where they provided legal services to residents of Wayne County who otherwise would not be able to afford legal representation. Grace has a strong commitment to helping clients work through the many complicated legal and emotional situations that can arise in family law. In their free time, Grace enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with their partner and their cats.


Rachel A. Frawley

Rachel A. Frawley graduated from Michigan State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Art. She returned to school in Washington D.C. a few years later and received her Master of Business Administration from American University in 1999. She has been with DAWN since 2001. As the office manager, 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, travel and being with family and friends. She has been happily married for 24 years and has three children, and two dogs.