DAWN COPPOCK is retiring from the practice of law.

I know I just said I wasn’t retiring, and that was true when I said it. Now it isn’t. I started declining new cases today. By April 7, 2025 I will be retired, except for a few outstanding cases and on-demand seminar production. I had expected to retire near my husband Kyle’s long-planned retirement date of April 1, 2026. Adoption Law School in the Mountains in April of 2026 was planned as my last big, live seminar. But that seminar isn’t going to happen.

Don’t worry. My long-time paralegal, Angi Newsome, and I and our families are fine. The quick pivot occurred due to something good, not something bad. We had just begun half-heartedly watching for the right job for Angi after I retired. But Angi is a great hire. So, after just a few preliminary inquiries, her perfect job popped right up, and it couldn’t wait. Angi is excited to begin a new job for the Jefferson County government on April 7, 2025 and I’m excited for her.

After 30+ years together, it is hard to picture anyone filling Angi’s shoes, and I don’t really want to work with anyone else or train someone new. So, I am retiring now. We are spending March winding things down and preparing for the last Adoption Law School in the Mountains 2025, April 2-4, 2025. 

If you are an existing client, you will hear from us soon. I’m personally finishing most of the cases I have right now. If your case isn’t amenable to quick resolution, I’ll make sure you land well. I’ve been writing and training for years in the hope of leaving many qualified successors. Lawyers, if you want to step into this meaningful work, now is a good time. If you need a review or to tune up your skills, I have exactly one more big, live training.  For info on Adoption Law School live in April, my on-demand video courses, or to buy my law book, see www.GoodLawTN.com. The on-demand courses should be available on that site into 2027 and the book even longer. 

Beyond maintaining Good Law for book sales and on-demand seminars, I haven’t considered professional diversions in my retirement yet. I may reserve time to consult with other attorneys on tough cases or find a way to reengage with foster parents.  I likely have a dance or two left. 

I’ll consider all that after the last big seminar and when cases are buttoned up. I apologize for not making personal calls to tell you and not being around to chat about it. I’m swamped. I hope to have plenty of time to chat and reconnect with my treasured professional friends and former clients this summer. While it is a quick decision, it feels like the right choice. I’ve had a pretty good run. By May, I expect to enjoy our mountain spring with time to smell the flowers. 

Dawn