Atty. Terry W. Dawson
Terry Dawson’s practice involves virtually every issue employers confront today, with an emphasis on labor relations, including arbitrations, collective bargaining negotiation, helping employers remain union-free, business strategy and client counseling. Terry also provides daily counseling to employers on complex FMLA and ADA issues.
Profile Summary
About Terry W. Dawson at a glance
Terry W. Dawson is a employment and litigation attorney based in Indianapolis, Indiana, practicing at Barnes & Thornburg LLP. They have 36+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1990. Admitted to practice in Indiana (1990). Educated at Southern Illinois University School of Law (J.D., 1990) and Indiana State University (B.S.). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026). Serands clients in Indianapolis, IN and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Terry Dawson’s practice involves virtually every issue employers confront today, with an emphasis on labor relations, including arbitrations, collective bargaining negotiation, helping employers remain union-free, business strategy and client counseling
- Terry also provides daily counseling to employers on complex FMLA and ADA issues
- Terry has negotiated contracts with a number of unions, including the Steelworkers, Teamsters, IBEW, SEIU, AFTRA, UAW, AFSCME, IOE, Carpenters and many others
- He offers deep experience arbitrating on behalf of employers, battling to reach his clients’ objectives and to protect their interests and reputation
- Terry has also helped clients manage strikes and lockouts, and has handled decision and effects bargaining, midterm contract negotiations and plant closings.With a detail-oriented approach, Terry represents clients throughout Indiana and across the country in numerous industries, including professional sports teams and organizations, manufacturing, automotive, broadcasting, shipbuilders, cities and municipalities, major retail and grocery stores, museums, utilities and healthcare
- He also represents overseas clients located in the U.S., including numerous Japanese and German clients
- In addition to labor relations and client counseling, Terry is known as "the FMLA guy," assisting clients in Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) matters
- A large portion of Terry's practice includes counseling employers on dealing with the many everyday practical problems presented by the FMLA and ADA, including strategies for chronic and intermittent leaves and complex leave of absence challenges
- He regularly trains employers on topics including FMLA and ADA compliance and strategy, FLSA issues, harassment and the like
Practice Areas Explained
Terry W. Dawson's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Terry W. Dawson handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Terry W. Dawson is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Indiana →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Terry W. Dawson is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Indiana →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Indiana
Practicing law in Indiana. Legal matters in Indiana are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Indianapolis are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Indiana state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Indiana 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 Indiana courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Indiana attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Indianapolis or all attorneys in Indiana.
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