Dawn L. Merkle is a former partner in the Government Contracts practice at Willcox & Savage, P.C., where she represented clients in all aspects of state, local, and federal government contracting, employment law, process compliance, and general business law. Dawn previously served as assistant general counsel and corporate counsel on strategic projects for a large construction firm. Prior to that position, she was in private practice for a number of years. Currently, Dawn is taking a hiatus from the practice of law to teach secondary history in Norfolk Public Schools. 

She has served on several boards in Hampton Roads, including for the Hampton Roads Global Commerce Council (President for 2 years) and the Norfolk NATO Festival (Education Committee Chair), and served as Event Director for Engage Norfolk 2018. Dawn received her J.D. from the College of William and Mary and a B.A. from Old Dominion University. She also has a Certificate in Organizational Consulting and Change Leadership from Georgetown University.