Dallas, TX, Mar. 30, 2015 – Winstead PC is pleased to announce the election of David Dawson as the firm’s new CEO and chairman. Dawson will take the position on Apr. 1 from Kevin Sullivan who chose not to run for re-election at the expiration of his term. Dawson is a member of Winstead’s board of directors and practices in Winstead’s public and project finance practice group.
"I am looking forward to leading a great group of lawyers and staff over the next four years,” said Dawson. “As a shareholder at Winstead since 2003, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of Winstead’s growth and many successes. Kevin was an admired leader and I intend to continue leading our excellent lawyers who are focused on providing the best value and service to clients through proactive initiatives, commitment, and teamwork.”
Based in Austin, Dawson's practice focuses on the development and financing of public private projects involving governmental entities at the local, state, and federal level. He has represented developers, governmental entities, underwriters, and investors in airport, toll road, convention center hotel, military housing, and built-to-suit GSA lease transactions. A graduate of the UT McCombs School Honors Business Program, he began his professional career in investment banking with CS First Boston before attending UT Law School. He joined Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in 1994, practicing corporate and public finance law before moving to Winstead in 2003.
Dawson served on Winstead’s board of directors for the past six years. He was previously the firm-wide lateral hiring shareholder, co-chair of the associate compensation committee, and public finance practice group leader. He was also the Austin office lateral hiring shareholder during the late 2000s when Winstead acquired 35 lawyers from Jenkens & Gilchrist.
"David has all the qualities needed to succeed in his new job and I appreciate him taking it on,” said Sullivan who will focus full time on his real estate finance practice. “He cares deeply about our firm, our clients and the people that work here. He has a strong financial background and a history in law firm management that will make for a very powerful combination.”
Dawson is currently vice board chair and executive committee member of KIPP Austin Public Schools, Inc., part of a national network of high performing charter schools serving underprivileged youth.
(L to R: Kevin Sullivan and David Dawson)