website photosDawn was born in Queens, New York and admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1996. She received her associate's degree in 1991 from Westchester Community College in Valhalla, NY, her Bachelor of Science degree in 1993 from Barry University in Miami, Florida, graduating summa cum laude, and her law degree in 1996 from the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Dawn has practiced a wide variety of law since being admitted to the bar in 1996, including criminal defense, family law, and bankruptcy.  Dawn currently concentrates her practice in the areas of consumer bankruptcy.    Dawn is an active member of the Middle District Bankruptcy Bar Association (MDBBA) and is currently serving as the Board's President (2022-2023)

Bankruptcy:  Dawn handles both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies, as well as assisting clients with negotiating with creditors when bankruptcy is not an option or not the option clients wish to pursue.  Dawn assists clients with mortgage foreclosures, loan modifications, and the defense of lawsuits by credit card companies and other creditors.  Dawn has been practicing bankruptcy law since she became an attorney in 1996.

Dawn was a regular columnist for the York Daily Record (YDR) for several years, writing about legal and social justice issues. 

Dawn has been a regular speaker for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the Middle District Bankruptcy Bar Association, where she develops courses and teaches other lawyers about technology, bankruptcy, ethics, and criminal defense.

Dawn's hobbies include cycling, photography, quilting, web design/search engine optimization, and hanging out with her dog, Foxy.  Dawn designed the website for the York Law Day Committee and the York Legal Record and was the driving force behind the installation of wi-fi in the Judicial Center.  Dawn is on the tech subcommittee for the MDBBA, created the organizations current website.  Yes, Dawn's hair really was pink for a while, but that's just pink chalk in Foxy's hair.  She was not amused.

Dawn practiced remotely from the end of 2016 to the start of 2023, living in Oregon for three years and then Florida for three years.  Dawn is happy to be back in York, PA. 

 AVVO Profile

FRESH START LAW, PLLC

1701 West Market Street
York, PA 17404
Hours:  M-F 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
 
Phone: 717-304-1841
Text: 717-304-1841  
Email: dawncutaia@gmail.com

The Fine Print

This is a law firm after all: This web site is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney/client relationship. The law changes often, so please be sure to contact us for questions about your specific situation. You should NOT be making decisions about your financial life based only on the information on this web site or any web site. Seriously - don't do it. The law is complicated and is always in flux. This site is intended only for people who have legal matters in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has adopted the Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions, but not all states have done so. Be sure to contact a licensed attorney in your state, to learn about your state's bankruptcy procedure.

We are a DEBT RELIEF AGENCY under the United States Bankruptcy Code.

Dawn Cutaia, Esquire has been a licensed attorney in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since 1996, currently limiting her practice to bankruptcy, foreclosure and civil defense, and pardons.  Suzanne Smith, has been an attorney licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennslyvania since 1992, currently limiting her practice to criminal defense, pardons/expungements, and bankruptcy.  Dawn Cutaia is the sole member of Fresh Start Law, PLLC, a professional limited liability corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.