Barbara J. Dawson

Barb Dawson is a senior investigations and litigation partner. She serves on the firm’s elected five-person Executive Committee and three-person Compensation Committee. She also has led the firm's Commercial Litigation Practice Group and its International Practice Group.

Barb’s practice concentrates on assisting Fortune 500 businesses and boards of directors with internal investigations, complex litigation and regulatory compliance. Best Lawyers in America has recognized her as Phoenix Lawyer of the Year for Regulatory Enforcement Litigation. Barb assists companies when legal challenges arise from government action, shareholder, consumer and whistle-blower claims, and other circumstances involving business-threatening conflict and crisis management. She has deep industry experience with several highly regulated business sectors, including financial services, energy, government contracting and technology.

On a national basis, Barb currently serves as Chairperson of the American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation. She recently served as one of 16 members of the ABA’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary that vets and rates federal judicial candidates for the United States Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal and District Courts.

On an international basis, Barb has served as chair of the Board of Directors for Lex Mundi, an international affiliation of 160 independent law firms located in 100 countries. She frequently assists clients with matters involving non-U.S. parties and venues, international compliance issues and cross-border investigations. Her experience has included legal engagements, law-related presentations, projects and board of directors' duties on six continents.

Representative Presentations and Publications

• Coronavirus Goes to Court: After Lives and Livelihoods Come the Lawsuits, Quoted, USA Today (April 3, 2020)
•“Director-Led Investigations,” Co-Author, Litigation Magazine, Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. 46-51 (Summer 2019)
•“Ethics Smorgasbord,” Panelist, Federal Bar Association Phoenix Chapter (2019)
• Crisis and Investigation Management in the Era of the 24/7 News Cycle, Presenter, ACC Arizona Chapter (2019)
•ACS #MeToo Listening Panel, Panelist (2019)
•General Counsel Forum, Moderator, ABA Section of Litigation, Corporate Counsel CLE Seminar (2019)
• Keys to Business Development: Strategies to Build a Sustainable Book of Business, Presenter, ABA Section of Litigation, Professional Success Summit (2018)
• Ethics in Litigation, Guest Presenter, Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (2018)
• Internal Investigations - Current Developments, Presenter (2017)
• Counsel on the Hot Seat: Managing Internal Investigations, Co-Author and Presenter, Snell & Wilmer Corporate Counsel Forum (2017)
• Seeking Success in International Mediation, Author, Litigation Magazine, Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 18-19 (Winter 2016)
•Global Symposium, Lex Mundi/ACC Arizona Chapter/Snell & Wilmer, Program Chair (2011, 2013, 2016)
• War Stories and Lessons Learned, Presenter, Maricopa County Bar Association (2015)
• Protecting the Attorney-Client Privilege in Internal Investigations, Co-Author and Moderator, Snell & Wilmer Corporate Counsel Forum (2015)
• If I Knew Then What I Know Now - Tips From Proven Leaders, American Bar Association Section of Litigation (2014)
• In Government's Shoes: The Continuing Force Behind the False Claims Act & Qui Tam Complaints, Co-Author, Arizona Attorney (March 2014)
• Standing in the Shoes of the Government - The Rise of Qui Tam Litigation, Snell & Wilmer Corporate Counsel Forum (2013)
• Ethics in Merger & Acquisitions: A Review of Best Practices from Pre- and Post-Closing, Presenter, ACC Arizona Chapter (2013)
• Lex Mundi/ACC Southeastern Global Symposium, Moderator (2013)
• Disclosing and Reserving for Loss Contingencies, Presenter (2013)
• Litigation Management in Evolving Times, Moderator, ACC Utah Chapter (2012)
• Commercial Litigation Funding & Investment 2012, Presenter, New York Digital Sandbox (2012)
• Discovering Risks for Non-US Entities: Adapting to US Rules of Engagement, Chapter Co-Author, Inside the Minds: Complying with International Discovery Regulations; Leading Lawyers on Understanding Rules for Discovery in Foreign Countries, Aspatore Books (2012)
• Controlling Costs in Litigation and Arbitration Around the World, Panel Chair, ACC New York Chapter/Lex Mundi (2011)
• Dukes v. Wal-Mart & AT&T v. Concepcion: Strategies for Avoiding Class & Collective Actions, Presenter, ACC Arizona Chapter (2011)
•Cross-Border Dispute Resolution Faculty, Lex Mundi Institute (2011-present)
• Valuing Litigation: Lessons Learned from Collaboration, Co-Author, ACC Docket, 127-131 (2011)
• Attorney-Client Privilege: The Implications of Bevill and United States v. Graf for Corporate Counsel and Personnel, Presenter, ACC Arizona Chapter (2011)
• Risk Factors for the Away Team in U.S. Litigation, Co-Author with Dr. Martin Wagener, ACC Docket, pp. 25-28 (2010)
• Bringing Value to Litigation, Co-Chair, ABA Section of Litigation/ACC, Valuing Litigation Symposium (2010)
• Update on Internal Investigations and Related Cross Border Litigation, Program Chair, Lex Mundi Litigation, Arbitration & Dispute Resolution North America Regional Meeting (2010)
• The Anatomy of the Director-Led Investigation and the Role of Special Counsel to the Board, Co-Author with Joseph Adams and Andreea V. Micklis, Snell & Wilmer Financial Services Litigation Bulletin (2010)
• Unclaimed Property: Understanding and Navigating this Trap for the Unwary, Presenter, Arizona Tax Executives Institute (2010)

Professional Recognition and Awards

•AZ Business Leader, AZ Business Leaders Magazine (2020)
•Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Litigation: General Commercial (2014-2020)
•The Best Lawyers in America (2008-2019): Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action - Defendants, Regulatory Enforcement Litigation (SEC, Telecom, Energy), Securities Litigation, Arbitration, Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Regulatory Enforcement Litigation (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
•Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, AZ Business Magazine (2014-2019)
•Southwest Super Lawyers, Business Litigation (2007-2020)
•Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star - Arizona, Antitrust, General Commercial (2013, 2016-2018)
•Who's Who Legal, Commercial Litigation (2008-2019)
•Maricopa County Bar Association, Hall of Fame Inductee (2018)
•Outstanding Women in Business, Phoenix Business Journal (2016)
• Female Powerbrokers Q&A: Snell & Wilmer's Barb Dawson, Feature Article, Law360 (February 21, 2014)
•Walter E. Craig Distinguished Service Award, Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education (2013)
• Barb Dawson: Winning Cases and Leading Lawyers in and from the Valley of the Sun, Of Counsel Interview: Vol. 31, Iss. 11 (November 2012)
•ATHENA Award, Business Woman of the Year, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (2009)
•Phoenix Business Journal, 40 Under 40 Award
•Volunteer of the Year, Arizona Volunteer Lawyers Program

Community Involvement

•Judicial Intern Opportunity Program
•Sponsor (2004-present)
•Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation (2006-2018)
•Chair (2009-2010)
•Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations
•Board of Directors (2012-2015)
•Advisory Board Member (2015-present)
•Valley Leadership Class XVI
•XICO
•Board of Directors (2012-2016)
•Program Committee Member (2015-present)

Related News & Events

• Dec 12
Snell & Wilmer Recognized as One of WomenInc. Magazine's Top 100 Law Firms for Women

• Dec 03
AZ Business Leaders Magazine Recognizes Nine Snell & Wilmer Attorneys

• Aug 26
Barbara J. Dawson Leads American Bar Association's Largest Section

• Apr 26
Chambers USA 2019 Recognizes Snell & Wilmer in Multiple Categories and Names 44 Attorneys as Leaders in their Field

• Apr 19
Southwest Super Lawyers Recognizes 62 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys in its 2019 Rankings

• Mar 15
AZ Business Magazine Selects Five Snell & Wilmer Attorneys for Inclusion in the Annual 2019 Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona Publication

• Sep 28
The Maricopa County Bar Association Inducts Phoenix Partner Barbara J. Dawson into Hall of Fame

• Aug 15
139 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers Listed as Leaders in Their Fields by The Best Lawyers in America 2019
Eleven Snell & Wilmer attorneys recognized as a 2019 Lawyer of the Year

• May 03
Chambers USA 2018 Recognizes Snell & Wilmer in Multiple Categories and Names 46 Attorneys as Leaders in Their Field

• Apr 24
Southwest Super Lawyers Recognizes 69 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys in its 2018 Rankings

• Mar 26
Five Snell & Wilmer Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the 2018 Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona Publication by AZ Business Magazine

• Oct 10
Snell & Wilmer and its Attorneys Recognized in the 2018 Benchmark Litigation Rankings

• Aug 15
The Best Lawyers in America 2018 Lists 133 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers as Leaders in Their Field

• May 31
Chambers USA 2017 Recognizes Snell & Wilmer in Multiple Categories and Names 43 Attorneys

• Apr 12
Southwest Super Lawyers 2017 Recognizes 69 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys

• Apr 04
AZ Business Magazine Selects Six Snell & Wilmer Attorneys for Inclusion in the Annual 2017 Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona Publication

• Aug 15
The Best Lawyers in America 2017 Lists 125 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers As Leaders In Their Field
In addition, 15 Snell & Wilmer attorneys recognized as a 2017 “Lawyer of the Year”

• May 27
Chambers USA 2016 Recognizes Snell & Wilmer in Multiple Categories and Names 42 Attorneys

• May 25
Snell & Wilmer Attorneys Recognized by Who’s Who in Business 2016: Arizona’s Best

• Apr 11
Southwest Super Lawyers 2016 Recognizes 73 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys

• Apr 04
Phoenix Business Journal Honors Barbara J. Dawson Among “Outstanding Women in Business”

• Oct 12
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes Multiple Snell & Wilmer Offices and Attorneys in 2016 Rankings

• Sep 01
Who’s Who Legal Ranks Multiple Snell & Wilmer Attorneys in Various Categories

• Aug 17
The Best Lawyers in America 2016 Lists 128 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers as Leaders in their Field
In addition, 19 Snell & Wilmer attorneys recognized as a 2016 “Lawyer of the Year”

• May 19
Chambers USA Recognizes Snell & Wilmer in Multiple Categories and Names 42 Attorneys as Leaders in Their Field

• Apr 10
Southwest Super Lawyers 2015 Recognizes 73 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys

• Nov 14
Who’s Who Legal: Litigation 2014 Recognizes Four Snell & Wilmer Attorneys

• Aug 18
The Best Lawyers in America 2015 Lists 123 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers as Leaders in Their Field

• Aug 12
ABA President Appoints Barbara Dawson to The Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary

• May 23
Chambers USA Recognizes Snell & Wilmer in Multiple Categories and Names 38 Attorneys as 'Leaders in Their Field'

Related Publications

• Mar 07
Financial Services Litigation Bulletin - March 2012
The Arizona Court of Appeals Expands Anti-Deficiency Protection for Borrowers

• Dec 06
Financial Services Litigation Bulletin - December 2011
Lenders Not Required to Record Trust Deed Assignments, says the Arizona Supreme Court

• Oct 03
Financial Services Litigation Bulletin - October 2011
Foreclosing Lenders Beware

• Sep 13
Financial Services Litigation Bulletin - September 13, 2011
Schayes Shows the Way: Federal District Court for the District of Arizona Holds That Notice of Trustee's Sales and Substitutions of Trustees are Not Actionable Under A.R.S. 33-420.

• Oct 20
Financial Services Litigation Bulletin-October 2010
The Anatomy of the Director-Led Investigation and the Role of Special Counsel to the Board and Arizona Cracks Down on 'Foreclosure Consultants'

• Mar 09
Financial Services Litigation Bulletin-March 2010
Amendment to Electronic Fund Transfer Act Restricts Overdraft Fees Effective January 19, 2010 With Mandatory Compliance Date of July 1, 2010

• Feb 11
Global Connection - February 2010

• Feb 05
Financial Services Litigation Bulletin-February 2010
SEC Approves New Rule Amendments Designed to Protect Client Assets Held by Investment Advisers

• Nov 19
Financial Services Litigation Bulletin-November 2009
Nevada Implements Residential Foreclosure Mediation Program

• Jul 06
Global Connection - July 2009