Our Practice

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• Criminal Law
• Civil Rights Cases
• Wrongful Death
• Civil Litigation
• Employment Law
• Public Employee Unions

Bill Dawson has over 40 years experience, having tried over 500 jury cases in state and federal courts. Has tried nearly 100 murder cases, obtained over ten jury verdicts in civil rights cases, one for over $1,000,000, represented the Alabama Education Association for over 40 years, handled over 100 appellate matters, and had a busy general practice. 

Member of the U.S. Supreme Court bar, the Alabama Bar, Eleventh Circuit and all three federal district courts in Alabama.  Elected to the Executive Committee of the Birmingham Bar Association; founding member of the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association; awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Birmingham Bar Association in 2016; Roderick Beddow Award in 1988;  Distinguished Alumni Award by Birmingham-Southern College in 2016.  Rated A-V by Martindale-Hubbell for 30 years. 

Graduate of Ensley High School, worked  to pay his way through Birmingham-Southern College and the University of Alabama Law School.  Law clerk for the Alabama Supreme Court.  Ran 12 marathons and is a distance swimmer. Elected four times to the State Democratic Executive Committee.

Has filed over 100 federal civil rights suits with such issues as voting rights, police misconduct, First Amendment violations, prison and jail conditions, unlawful jailing of indigents, right to public education, discrimination in state benefits, employment discrimination, due process and equal protection violations, fair housing litigation, judicial misconduct, and several pending actions against the private probation industry.