Atty. Cari K. Dawson
Cari Dawson is a creative problem solver, legal strategist and committed advocate. She chairs the Class Action Practice Team and has an established track record of successfully defending Fortune 500 companies as lead counsel in high-profile litigation nationwide.
Profile Summary
About Cari K. Dawson at a glance
Cari K. Dawson is a business, class action, product liability, litigation, and insurance attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia, practicing at Alston & Bird LLP. Admitted to practice in Georgia, State Bar of Georgia. Educated at Harvard University (J.D., 1993) and Princeton University (—, 1990). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Insurance Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants (2026). Serands clients in Atlanta, GA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Cari Dawson is a creative problem solver, legal strategist and committed advocate
- She chairs the Class Action Practice Team and has an established track record of successfully defending Fortune 500 companies as lead counsel in high-profile litigation nationwide
- Cari has defended hundreds of class actions across an array of industries and regularly assists clients in commercial litigation, strategic counseling and crisis management
- In 2015, Cari was named one of the country’s “Most Influential Black Lawyers” by Savoy Magazine and a “Woman Worth Watching” by Diversity Journal
- In 2013, the National Law Journal named Cari one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers in America” for her work as lead class action counsel in the Toyota Unintended Acceleration MDL in California
- Chambers USA has consistently named her one of “The Best Lawyers in America.” In 2014, Cari was named one of the Top 50 Women Super Lawyers in Georgia by Super Lawyers magazine and one of the “Most Powerful & Influential Women” by the National Diversity Council
- In 2012, the John M. Langston Bar Association named her “Corporate Counsel of the Year,” and in 2011, The American Lawyer named her to the “45 Under 45” list of remarkable women lawyers
- Cari currently serves as co-chair of the Firm’s Diversity Steering Committee
- She serves on the Executive Committee of the Commercial Law Section of the National Bar Association
Practice Areas Explained
Cari K. Dawson's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Cari K. Dawson handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Cari K. Dawson is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Georgia →
Cari K. Dawson is one of 26,424 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in Georgia →
Cari K. Dawson is one of 66,193 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in Georgia →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Cari K. Dawson is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Georgia →
Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.
Cari K. Dawson is one of 121,912 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in Georgia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Georgia
Practicing law in Georgia. Legal matters in Georgia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Atlanta are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Georgia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Georgia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Georgia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Georgia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Atlanta or all attorneys in Georgia.
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