About Us
Real trial experience counts. For decades, Ryan & Dawson has provided effective and aggressive representation of its clients through a combination of traditional hard work coupled with utilization of advanced approaches to the practice of law. Ryan & Dawson is comprised of civil trial lawyers with experience gained through conducting first chair trials to verdict. That experience gives us the ability not only to comprehensively evaluate the merits of trying any particular case, but to capably try it if necessary. This background brings our clients legitimacy in the eyes of their adversaries and has assisted us in resolving litigation, arbitration, or other proceeding in the most innovative, economical, and expeditious way possible.
Our clients represent a broad spectrum of business and professional interests, ranging from multinational corporations to small businesses and individuals. While Ryan & Dawson began as an insurance defense firm, it has evolved into a broad-based law firm with a strong emphasis in commercial litigation, professional liability, and construction law. Our practice has expanded to meet the increasing needs of our clients and currently includes litigation work in personal injury, health care liability, construction defect, and commercial law.
Our attorneys practice in state and federal courts throughout the State of Texas. Our firm functions as regional counsel for several clients, representing them throughout the state. Ryan & Dawson has always been committed to leading in the uses of new technology in its law practice. It extensively uses state of the art computer technology to effectively manage large matters and families of matters in a cost effective manner that can also provide all of the information a client needs in usable and readily obtainable format.
Attorneys
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Carl R. 'Bo' Dawson is a native Houstonian and son of the Republic of Texas. He graduated from the University of Houston with a B.A. in 1988, and a J.D. in 1991, and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1991. Mr. Dawson's professional memberships include the State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association, and the Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit.. He has been elected by his peers to be a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and the Houston Bar Foundation. He has been invited to speak on various aspects of the law at CLE Seminars, and to non-legal groups. Since licensure, Mr. Dawson has been lead counsel in over seven hundred lawsuits filed in counties across Texas. He has participated, as first chair counsel, in dozens of jury trials through verdict, and has successfully represented clients in state and federal appeals. Mr. Dawson's litigation experience includes the following areas: professional liability, general commercial litigation, commercial and residential construction liability, products liability, personal injury and general law litigation. In addition to his courtroom experience, Mr. Dawson has successfully represented his clients in arbitrations of disputes involving construction defects, breaches of contract, and employment law. Published appellate opinions include: Pfeiffer v. Jacobs, Court of Appeals of Texas, Houston (14th Dist.), August 10, 2000, reported in 29 S.W.3d 193; In re Amfels, Inc., Court of Appeals of Texas, Corpus Christi–Edinburg, March 16, 2004, reported in 129 S.W.3d 810; Women’s Regional Healthcare, P.A. v. FemPartners of North Texas, Inc., Court of Appeals of Texas, Houston (1st Dist.). February 10, 2005, reported in 175 S.W.3d 365; In re U.S. Silica Co., Supreme Court of Texas, February 11, 2005, reported in 157 S.W.3d 434; Choice Auto Brokers, Inc. v. Dawson, Court of Appeals of Texas, Houston, (1st Dist.). September 25, 2008 reported in 274 S.W.3d 172; Kimbrell v. Molinet, Court of Appeals of Texas, San Antonio, December 31, 2008, reported in 288 S.W.3d 464; Molinet v. Kimbrell, Supreme Court of Texas. January 21, 2011, reported in --- S.W.3d ---- Mr. Dawson regularly advises small businesses on all matters, including transactions and business formation. Mr. Dawson is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, and is admitted to practice in all State and Federal Courts in Texas, as well the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Currently, Carl serves on numerous boards and committees in the Houston area, including the Legal Advisory Committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the Alumni Board of St. John's School. He enjoys spending time with his wife Kathleen and their two teenage children, especially together at their farm in Weimar, Texas |
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Deanna Dean Lovett is a native Houstonian, and Of Counsel to Ryan & Dawson. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in 1982, and received her J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 1989. Mrs. Lovett was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1990, and the Tennessee Bar in 2004. She is also admitted to practicebefore the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Her memberships and accomplishments include: Phi Delta Phi. National Champion, American Bar Association National Moot Court Competition, (1990). Adjunct Professor: University of Houston (2003); South Texas College of Law (1990-1999). Speaker: South Texas College of Law, "Advanced Personal Injury Law", (May 1994); Law Journal Seminars, "Fen-Phen Medical Aspects and Potential Liability" (1998); PESI, "Texas Nursing Home Negligence" (January 1999); State Bar of Texas, "Advanced Personal Injury Law" (August 2001); State Bar of Texas, "Choosing and Courting a Jury" (April 2002); State Bar of Texas, "Nursing Home Liability" (November 2002); PESI, "Texas Nursing Home Negligence" (January 2003); State Bar of Texas, "Choosing and Courting a Jury" (April 2003); Texas Association of Defense Counsel, "Nursing Home Negligence" (June 2003); 22nd Annual Houston Perinatal Symposium, "How to Survive a Deposition: What You Wish You Had Documented" (February 2005); ARN 2005 Annual Expo & Seminar, "How to Survive a Deposition: What You Wish You Had Documented" (June 2005); Member: Houston Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; Texas Association of Defense Counsel; Texas Bar Foundation; American Bar Association; Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit; and, American Board of Trial Advocates. Mrs. Lovett is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, and is admitted to practice in all State and Federal Courts in Texas. E-mail Mrs. Lovett at dlovett@rdlaw.com.
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Caroline Clinton was born in Canton, Ohio, December 7, 1976, and is a Partner with Ryan & Dawson. She graduated from Texas A & M University with a B.B.A. in 1999, and received her J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 2003. Ms. Clinton was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2003. Her educational accomplishments include: Semi-finalist, State Bar of Texas Administrative and Public Law Moot Court Competition (2002). Quarterfinalist, Evan A. Evans Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition (2002). Finalist, South Texas College of Law Mock Trial Litigation Competition (2001). Leroy Jeffers Intramural Moot Court Competition (2001). Delta Delta Delta. South Texas College of Law Moot Court Coach: Evan A. Evans Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition (2004 – 2006; National Champion Team 2004). Ms. Clinton is a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association, Bo’s Buddies, Child Advocates, the Junior League of Houston, and the Young Professionals for Children (YPC), and she is a member of the following organizations: American Bar Association, Defense Research Institute; Greater Houston Society for Healthcare Risk Management; Houston Bar Association; Houston Young Lawyers Association; State Bar of Texas; and Texas Association of Defense Counsel.
E-mail Ms. Clinton at cclinton@rdlaw.com |
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Michelle Martinez was born and raised in Houston, and is an associate with Ryan & Dawson. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in 2005, and received her J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 2008. Ms. Martinez was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2009. During law school, she was a semi-finalist in the Garland R. Walker Memorial Intramural Mock Trial Competition and participated in the intramural moot court competition. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Texas Young Lawyers Association and Texas Exes. Email Ms. Martinez at mmartinez@rdlaw.com |
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Dan Ryan - deceased. (1935 – 2007). Mr. Ryan was a great American, a proud Aggie, and a heck of a lawyer. |
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Associated Personnel |