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THOMAS C. DAWSON JR. 1961-2011
On July 20, 2011, our firm and our legal community lost an exceptional lawyer, and consummate professional –
Thomas C. Dawson, Jr. Tom received his undergraduate degree from James Madison University, with honors, and his JD from the TC Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond, where he was a member of the law review. Tom practiced with McKenry, Dancigers, Dawson & Lake, P.C. since 1988. Tom was a true trial lawyer. He tried literally hundreds of jury trials, most often defending indiviuals or companies that had been sued in civil cases. No defense attorney had more verdicts returned in favor of the Plaintiff where the jury awarded zero damages. Tom lectured on topics including personal injury litigation, punitive damages, and insurance coverage issues. He mentored younger lawyers. Although litigation can, of course, be challenging, Tom was always the consummate professional and gentleman. Lawyers and Judges from around the State have called and written to express that Tom was an excellent attorney, and an outstanding man. Tom was completely genuine. He was kind, gentle and dignified. He certainly enriched everyone’s life at the firm. We at McKenry, Dancigers, Dawson & Lake, P.C. miss Tom, and feel his loss acutely. Words are truly insufficient. We do celebrate the opportunity to have worked with Tom, and recognize it was an honor and privilege to have known him. Without question, his influence on our firm and his example will be with us always.
Thomas C. Dawson, Jr. 1961-2011
Tom has been litigating matters for insurance carriers and their insureds for over 20 years. His areas of practice include personal injury litigation, insurance defense, coverage disputes, product liability litigation and subrogation litigation for claims which involve auto, property and workers’ compensation.
He is a 1983 graduate of James Madison University, with honors, and a 1986 graduate of the T. C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. While at the University of Richmond, Tom was a member of the University of Richmond Law Review where he co-authored the Attorney Client Privilege, Volume 19, University of Richmond Law Review, Spring 1985. After graduation from law school, Tom served as a law clerk for The Honorable J. Calvert Clarke, Jr., Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Tom is a member of the Virginia Bar Association, Virginia State Bar, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference, Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association, Virginia Beach Bar Association, Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys and the National Association of Subrogation Professionals. He is licensed to practice in all Virginia state and appellate courts, the United States District Court, Eastern and Western Districts, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Tom has lectured on topics including personal injury litigation, punitive damages and insurance coverage issues. He is active in his church where he serves as an elder and is the past chairman of the Administration and Finance Committee and served several years as the Stewardship Chairman. He is also past president of his neighborhood civic league. In his time away from the practice of law, Tom enjoys spending time with his family playing tennis, boating and fishing.
