Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced the appointment of Dawn Egan as Judge for Arkansas’ Fourth Judicial Circuit, Division 3. Egan will replace Judge Stacey Zimmerman, who is set to retire on March 1, 2025. She will officially take office on the same day and serve until December 31, 2026.
“Dawn is a very experienced and qualified attorney that has dedicated her career to serving our state’s most vulnerable with a special focus on kids. I look forward to her continued service on the Fourth Judicial Circuit,” said Governor Sanders.
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Egan brings a wealth of legal experience to the bench, having spent the last 14 years as an Attorney Ad Litem for Washington and Madison Counties. In that role, she represented approximately 5,000 abused and neglected children, advocating for their best interests in dependency neglect cases. Her dedication to child welfare law has earned her a reputation as a compassionate and diligent legal advocate.
Before taking on her current role, Egan served as a Juvenile Prosecuting Attorney for six years in Washington County. She then transitioned into private practice, first working with the Kester Law Firm, where she focused on appeals and domestic law cases, before establishing her own law firm. Her broad legal expertise and deep commitment to justice have made her a respected figure in Arkansas’ legal community.
Egan is an active member of the Arkansas Bar Association and Washington County Bar Association. She is also a member of the National Association of Counsel for Children and is certified as a Child Welfare Law Specialist, highlighting her expertise in handling cases involving children and families.
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Her academic background is equally impressive. She graduated cum laude from the University of California, Irvine, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Ecology with a focus on Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies. She later graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, where she served as an Articles Editor for the Arkansas Law Review and had her work published in the 52nd volume of the Arkansas Law Review.
Outside of her professional life, Egan is deeply involved in her community. She is an active member of Cross Church, where she serves in the Baptism ministry. She has been married to her husband, Ted, for 39 years, and the couple has one daughter, Shayna.
Egan’s appointment has been met with optimism, as her extensive experience in child welfare and family law is expected to bring valuable insight to the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Her tenure is anticipated to further the court’s commitment to fair and effective justice in Arkansas.
