Barbara J. Dawson

As Snell & Wilmer’s Firm Chair, Barb Dawson supports and advances the growth and development of its practices across the firm’s sixteen office locations. She has served on the firm’s Executive Committee and three-person Compensation Committee for several years. Barb has also led the firm’s commercial litigation practice group and its international industry group. 

Barb’s practice has concentrated on assisting Fortune 500 businesses and boards of directors with internal investigations, complex litigation, and regulatory compliance. She has received broad recognition for both her business and legal skills in handling “bet the business” matters and large portfolios of litigation and investigation issues. Barb has deep industry experience with several highly regulated business sectors including financial services, energy, education, and technology.

Nationally, Barb previously served as Chair of the American Bar Association's Section of Litigation. She also served as one of sixteen 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. Barb currently serves on the ABA’s Governance Commission. 

Internationally, 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 issues, and cross-border investigations. Barb’s experience has included legal engagements, law-related presentations, projects, and board of directors' duties on six continents.

Barb’s pro bono work has included co-founding Arizona’s first HIV/AIDS legal clinic at the beginning of her career, co-chairing the State Bar of Arizona’s Legal Services Committee, and co-chairing the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education’s Board of Directors.