Ph.D.-Level Rigor.
Paralegal Precision.
AI-Enhanced Delivery.
Independent legal research and contract paralegal services for attorneys and law firms across New York and New Jersey — combining 25+ years of Ph.D.-level analytical expertise with hands-on practice support.
Dawn Hayes, Ph.D. · Founder, Quattro Sante, LLC
A Rare Combination of Rigor, Experience & Analytical Depth
Quattro Sante, LLC is the independent practice of Dawn Hayes, Ph.D. — a legal research consultant and contract paralegal serving attorneys, law firms, and solo practitioners in New York and New Jersey on a contract, project, and retainer basis.
What sets Quattro Sante apart is a combination rarely found in legal support: hands-on paralegal experience paired with 25+ years of Ph.D.-level investigative and analytical expertise. As a tenured Full Professor of History at one of New Jersey's largest comprehensive state universities, Dawn has spent decades producing high-stakes analytical writing under rigorous peer review, conducting complex multi-source investigations involving conflicting accounts and incomplete records, and synthesizing large volumes of information into clear, actionable arguments — the precise skill set that complex legal work demands.
Dawn brings scholarly rigor and meticulous attention to detail to every engagement. She is trained to spot inconsistencies, identify evidentiary gaps, verify sources with precision, and deliver analysis that attorneys can rely on and act upon.
How I Can Help
Contract paralegal and legal research services tailored to the needs of attorneys, law firms, and solo practitioners across New York and New Jersey.
Litigation Support
Trial transcript analysis, evidentiary summaries, factual chronologies, case background research, and legal memoranda. Support from initial pleading through trial — synthesizing contradictory evidence and preparing work product that sharpens case strategy.
Real Estate
Research and drafting support for residential and commercial real estate matters in New York and New Jersey, including transaction documentation, title-related research, and case-support materials.
Business
Support for business-related legal matters including entity documentation, contract review support, legal research, and drafting of legal materials for firms and solo practitioners.
Matrimonial
Research and paralegal support across divorce matters — including transcript analysis, evidentiary review, factual chronology development, and drafting of case-support materials.
AI-Enhanced Legal Practice
In addition to traditional legal research and paralegal services, Dawn develops custom AI-assisted legal workflows for individual practices — helping attorneys use tools like Anthropic's Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and LexisNexis Protégé to streamline research, accelerate document production, and build reusable templates customized to their practice.
The result: less time on routine tasks, more time on clients. If your firm is ready to work smarter with AI — or just curious where to start — Quattro Sante can help.
Education, Certification & Experience
Education
- Ph.D., History — New York University
- M.A., History — New York University
- B.A., History — New York University
Certifications
- Notary Public, State of New JerseyCommission Expires February 2031
- Notary Public, State of New YorkPending
- The Legal AI Fundamentals Certification
- AI for Lawyers: Communication and Creativity
- AI for Lawyers: Time and Tasks
- Professional Paralegal Mastery of Lexis®
- NALA Certified ParalegalExamination scheduled 2026
Academic Appointment
- Full Professor of History (Tenured)One of New Jersey's largest comprehensive state universities · 2003–Present
Let's Work Together
Whether you need research support on a single matter, ongoing contract paralegal services, or help building AI workflows for your practice — reach out. Dawn responds promptly to all inquiries.