Barb Dawson has a practice focused on complex business litigation and internal investigations. Her areas of focus in commercial litigation include class actions, consumer claims and business torts, tax disputes, and matters involving international issues and non-U.S. parties. In conjunction with her internal investigation work for publicly traded companies, Barb has experience with issues related to officer and director liability, derivative and securities claims, SEC and other regulatory inquiries, and corporate governance and compliance programs.
Barb is a co-chair of the firm's Commercial Litigation Practice Group. She also is a primary contact for the firm's Financial Crisis and Recovery Team, International Group, and State and Local Tax Practice Group. Barb has served as Judge Pro Tempore and mediator for the Maricopa County Superior Court.
Education
- University of Iowa College of Law (J.D., with distinction, 1988)
- Senior Note and Comment Editor, Journal of Corporation Law (1987-1988)
- Iowa State University (B.S., with distinction, 1985)
- Senior Class President (1985)
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of Arizona
- United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- United States District Court, District of Arizona
- United States District Court, District of Columbia
- United States Tax Court
Professional Memberships & Activities
- Lex Mundi
- Board of Directors, Chair (2009-present), Member (2006-present)
- Dispute Resolution Committee, North American Chair (2008-2009)
- Diversity Taskforce Coordinator (2005-present)
- Women and the Law Committee, Chair (2003-2005)
- International Bar Association, Member (2004-present)
- Annual Meeting, Program Co-Chair (2006)
- American Bar Association, Section of Litigation
- Commercial and Business Committee, Co-Chair (2008-present)
- International Committee, Co-Chair (2007-2008)
- Member of Leadership (1998-present)
- American Bar Foundation (2005-present)
- Arizona Bar Association
- State Bar Convention Committee, Co-Chair (2006)
- Legal Services Committee, Chair (1993-1995), Member (1991-1997)
- Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education (formerly known as Arizona Bar Foundation)
- Board of Directors, Chair (2004), Member (1998-2005), Fellow (2004-present)
- Arizona Tax Research Association
- Board of Directors, Member (2000-present)
Professional Recognition & Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Bet-the-Company; Commercial Litigation (2008-2011)
- Lawdragon Top 3000 Leading Lawyers in America (2010)
- Southwest Super Lawyers® (2007-2010)
- Super Lawyers® - Corporate Counsel Edition (2010)
- Ranking Arizona: The Best of Arizona Attorneys, Commercial Litigation; International Trade & Finance Law (2010)
- Arizona's Top Lawyers, AzBusiness Magazine (2010)
- The International Who's Who of Commercial Litigators (2008-2009)
- Top Lawyer for Complex Commercial Litigation, Arizona Business Magazine (2008-2009)
- Athena Award-Business Woman of the Year, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (2009)
- Greater Phoenix Attorney at Law Magazine feature story, The Women of Snell & Wilmer (December 2009)
- Forty Under 40 Award, Phoenix Business Journal
- Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Lawyers Program
Community Involvement
- Judicial Intern Opportunity Program, Sponsor (2004-present)
- Homeward Bound
- Board of Directors, Member (1997-2002)
- Legal Committee, Chair (2000-2001)
- Phoenix Public Defender Review Board Member (1994-1998)
- Valley Leadership Class XVI Member