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, the Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit, and the Texas City Attorneys Associaion. He has been elected by his peers to be a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and the Houston Bar Foundation.
Mr. Dawson has again in 2023 been selected as a Super Lawyer, an honor reserved for the top 5% of practicing attorneys in the State. The selection process is described here. He is also Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. There are more than 100,000 attorneys licensed to practice in Texas; only 651 are Board Certified in Civil Trial Law. Board Certification means an attorney has substantial, relevant experience in a select field of law as well as demonstrated, and tested, special competence in that area of law.
Mr. Dawson is admitted to practice in all State and Federal Courts in Texas, as well the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. From 1996 through 2016, while his practice still included a significant portion of personal injury cases, he was also Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law.
Since licensure, Mr. Dawson has been lead counsel in over one thousand 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. Included in Mr. Dawson's litigation experience are the following areas: professional liability, general commercial litigation, commercial and residential construction liability, products liability, personal injury and marital and estate disputes.
More disputes are being resolved outside the court system, in arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association or private arbitration proceedings. Mr. Dawson has successfully represented his clients in dozens of arbitrations of disputes involving construction defects, breaches of contract, and employment law.
In addition to his courtroom experience, Mr. Dawson regularly advises business clients on all matters, including transactions, business formation and corporate governance.
Bo serves on numerous boards and committees in the Houston area, including the Board of Directors of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he chaired the Legal Advisory Committee. He and his wife, Kathleen, enjoy spending time in Weimar at their family farm with family and friends, where Kat is the resident beekeeper.
Bo's pro bono involvement includes advising and representing County Fairs, Chambers of Commerce, and numerous other local nonprofits.
Appellate opinions:
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In re Bilfinger Westcon, Inc., 13-19-00466-CV, 2019 WL 6795870 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Dec. 12, 2019, no pet. h.)
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In re Tran, Court of Appeals, Austin, May 29, 2019, not reported in S.W.3d
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Mitchell v. D. R. Horton-Emerald, Ltd., 579 S.W.3d 135 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] May 16, 2019, no pet. h.)
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In re Clay, Court of Appeals, Austin, May 5, 2016, not reported in S.W.3d
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Olive v Clay Dev. & Const., United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit (Dec. 11, 2014)
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Moon Sun Kang v. Derrick, Court of Appeals of Texas, Houston (14th Dist.) May 15, 2014 Not Reported in S.W.3d
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D.R. Horton-Texas, Ltd. v Bernhard, Court of Appeals of Texas, Houston (14th Dist.), February 20, 2014, 423 S.W.3d 532
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Lindsey v. JPMorgan Chase Bank Nat. Ass'n, United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit (June 13, 2013 Slip Copy)
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Blanco River, L.L.C. v. Green, United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, (January 06, 2012 Slip Copy)
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MCRB I, Ltd. v. Southwest Rail Industries, Inc., Court of Appeals of Texas, Houston (14th Dist.). September 13, 2011 Not Reported in S.W.3d
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Gracepoint Builders, LP v. Blackman, Court of Appeals of Texas, Beaumont. August 31, 2011 Not Reported in S.W.3d
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CLW 4 & 5, Inc. v. Gracepoint Builders, LP, Court of Appeals of Texas, Corpus Christi–Edinburg. May 12, 2011 Not Reported in S.W.3d
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Molinet v. Kimbrell, Supreme Court of Texas. January 21, 2011, 356 S.W.3d 407
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Cole v. Sandel Medical Industries, L.L.C., United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. January 12, 2011 413 Fed.Appx. 683
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Maldonado v. D.R. Horton, Inc., Court of Appeals of Texas, Beaumont. April 08, 2010 Not Reported in S.W.3d
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Kimbrell v. Molinet, Court of Appeals of Texas, San Antonio. December 31, 2008 288 S.W.3d 464
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Choice Auto Brokers, Inc. v. Dawson, Court of Appeals of Texas, Houston (1st Dist.). September 25, 2008 274 S.W.3d 172
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In re Kelco Sales & Engineering Co., Court of Appeals of Texas, Corpus Christi-Edinburg. August 31, 2005 Not Reported in S.W.3d
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In re Vulcan Materials Co., Court of Appeals of Texas, Corpus Christi-Edinburg. August 24, 2005 Not Reported in S.W.3d
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In re J. Ray McDermott, Inc., Court of Appeals of Texas, Corpus Christi-Edinburg. June 23, 2005 Not Reported in S.W.3d
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In re U.S. Silica Co., Supreme Court of Texas. February 11, 2005 157 S.W.3d
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Women’s Regional Healthcare, P.A. v. FemPartners of North Texas, Inc., Court of Appeals of Texas, Houston (1st Dist.). February 10, 2005 175 S.W.3d
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In re Amfels, Inc., Court of Appeals of Texas, Corpus Christi–Edinburg. March 16, 2004 129 S.W.3d 810
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Tuley v. De Ruiz, Court of Appeals of Texas, Houston (14th Dist.). February 24, 2004 Not Reported in S.W.3d
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Pfeiffer v. Jacobs, Court of Appeals of Texas, Houston (14th Dist.). August 10, 2000 29 S.W.3d 193