As Snell & Wilmer’s Firm Chair, Barb Dawson advances the strategic growth and development of the firm’s practices across its sixteen-office footprint. She supports the efforts of the firm’s 1000+ member team, including 500+ attorneys, in their service of clients, their communities and each other. Her background of service within the firm includes leading the firm’s Litigation, Investigations, and Trials Practice Group, International Industry Group, and Attorney Development Committee, as well as many years of service on the firm’s Executive Committee and Compensation Committee.
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 has 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. She also chaired Lex Mundi’s Pro Bono Foundation, which provides social entrepreneurs with legal support through an international network.