Find a Lawyer Michigan Troy Family
David R. Dawson

PRO

David R. Dawson

4.4
19 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 48 years

Family Lawyer at Troy, MI
Practice Areas: Family, Divorce & Separation, Child Custody ... +7 more

101 W Big Beaver Rd Suite 1400, Troy, MI

Free Consultation

Call for a FREE consultation (877) 960-1567

Message
David R. Dawson's Website
Overview Reviews Experience Activity
Overview Reviews Experience Activity
Call for a FREE consultation (877) 960-1567

About David

Biography

Over 40 years specializing in family law, recognized as one of the top attorneys in Macomb

Practice Areas

10

Practice Areas

Alimony 11%

Non-modifiable, as the name implies, indicates that neither the term, such as the number of years, nor the monthly amount of the spousal support can ever be modified. To have non-modifiable support, the parties must agree to it.

11%
Arbitration 11%

11%
Child Custody 11%

Divorce can be one of the most stressful experiences in one’s life. When combined with child custody disputes and questions, the need for an attorney with specialized skill in the area becomes clear.

11%
Child Support 11%

Under Michigan law, children have a right to financial support from both of their parents. When parents live apart, the parent who does not have custody must pay a certain amount each month to the custodial parent.

11%
Divorce and Separation 11%

Divorce and its aftermath are hard on those directly and indirectly involved in them. There are many financial and logistical issues that have to be worked out. There are also personal emotional implications for every member of the family.

11%
Domestic Violence 11%

The effects of domestic violence can be devastating. It may involve actual physical contact, such has hitting the other person or it may consist of more subtle actions such as emotional and verbal abuse.

11%
Family 11%

There are many facets of Family Law, which is an area of the law that specializes in the legal issues faced by families. Dawson Family Law has decades of experience and expertise in dealing with this sensitive and complex area

11%
Marriage and Prenuptials 11%

Many couples, before getting married, opt for Pre-Nuptial Agreements. These are contracts signed by both parties listing their assets and how their pre-marital assets, along with assets acquired during their marriage, will be divided.

11%
Mediation 11%

11%
Other 1%

1%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

An elite group of attorneys who have been rated highly by their peers as having Very High Ethical Standards and an A grade (4.5 or higher).

This is the highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 48 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 1977

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Dawson Family Law

101 W Big Beaver Rd Suite 1400, Troy, MI, 48084

drdfamilylaw.com/
Get Directions

David R. Dawson's Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (17) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 13
4 stars 0
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 4
Practice Areas
Divorce & Separation (11) Child Custody (3) Family (2) Child Support (1) Lawsuits & Disputes (1)
What Clients Mention
Advocacy (8) Case Results (8) Practice Area Knowledge (7) Professionalism (6) Responsiveness (5) Staff & Support (5) Communication Style (4) Cost of Services (4) Recommendation (4) Trustworthiness (3) Character & Conduct (2) General Knowledge (2) Compassion (1)

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Responsiveness

Posted by Dawn | February 01, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Divorce

I was just recently divorced, Mr. Dawson and his firm made everything extremely smooth, clear and highly affordable. I would undoubtedly recommend his practice to anyone looking for legal services in family law or divorce. Both Mr. Dawson & his legal assistant Shara, are quit responsive, friendly ...and informative with any questions you may have.

Posted by anonymous | December 22, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Highly recommend

I came to mr Dawson from a previous attorney after the first hearing was held. I was going through a custody battle, no divorce and Mr Dawson, Shara, and the rest of the team worked very hard to learn everything about my situation and to help me get a better outcome. They always welcomed questions an...d helped me ease my nerves before hearings. Mr Dawson is very knowledgeable and well experienced in this field. One thing I always appreciated is that he is very upfront over what is realistic to achieve so I won’t get my hopes up. At the end of it all he got me more than we hoped for at our first meeting. I am so grateful for Mr Dawson, Shara, and the rest of the firm and will continue to use them for legal advice. I highly recommend for anyone in need.

Posted by Maria | October 10, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Divorce Attorney

I highly recommend David Dawson as a Divorce Attorney. I appreciate the amazing legal work David Dawson did for me. I truly thank him for prioritizing me as a client and doing everything in your power to help me with my divorce case. David Dawson and his staff (Shara) have done a great job stayin...g on top of things to make sure it gets done. God Bless You!

Posted by Liz | August 27, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Child Support

Worst experience ever!!!

The worst experience ever!!! They literally charged me $1,500.00 to e-mail my papers to the FOC! I hired Mr. Dawson and was passed on to some assistant attorney who never sat down with me to go over my case or give me any type of counseling! Child support law is an area I’m not familiar with.. first ...because I wasn’t born or raised here. Second, because my original FOC order had been agreed privately. I went to the hearing not knowing what to expect…In fact, a week and half before the hearing, I called very upset and complaining that I hadn’t heard from them and was completely lost and needed their guidance! In the end I went to a hearing nervous and totally unprepared to what my ex was objecting to. Hope you make good use of the 1500.00 that I had to borrow to pay for your “non-counseling” services!!!

Posted by anonymous | January 24, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Sabatoged my case DON’T HIRE

This attorney was the worst thing that ever happened to me and my family. He ignored all the harassment and abuse I was dealing with throughout my divorce and when I emailed him about it, he told me to stop messaging him and to get another lawyer. He dropped my case 3 days to trial and I lost everyth...ing to my narcissistic ex. This guy was not compassionate, and does not communicate. I missed valuable hearings because I didn’t know about them. I’m still fighting an uphill battle to gain custody of my daughters, who are now living in a bad situation with their dad. My whole life was altered because of David’s severe neglect, and complete incompetence. I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through what I have. Life has never been the same.

See All Client Reviews

David R. Dawson's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse David

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't received any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

America's Most Honored, Top 1% of Attorneys, America's Most Honored, Top 1% of Attorneys

2024

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2022

Expertise, Expertise

2022

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2019

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2014

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2013

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2012

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2011

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2009

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2008

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2007

Pro Bono Award, Macomb County Bar Association

2007

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

N/A

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

2018 - Present

Attorney, Dawson Family Law, PLLC

1900 - Present

Member, Boyer, St. Pierre & Aull, PLLC

1900 - Present

Member, Dawson Family Law, PLLC

1987 - 2018

Attorney, Boyer, Dawson & St. Pierre

1981 - 1987

Attorney, Bromley, Roy and Dawson

1979 - 1981

Attorney, Professional Legal Centers

1977 - 1979

Attorney, Richardson and Clark

Associations

1990 - Present

Macomb Circuit/Oakland Circuit court

Divorce mediator and arbitrator

1985 - Present

Oakland County Bar Association, Family Law Section

member

1984 - Present

Macomb County Bar Association, Family Law Committee

Chairman 1995-6

1980 - Present

Oakland County Bar Association

Member

1980 - Present

Macomb County Bar Association

Member

1979 - Present

State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Section

member

1978 - Present

American Bar Association

member

1977 - Present

State Bar of Michigan

Member

2005 - 2008

Macomb County Domestic Relations Task Force

Chairman

Sample of Legal Cases

Saad

Husband kept his assets and did not pay spousal support

Marci

My client awarded custody

Angela

My client was awarded compensation for her contributions to her husbands professional license.

Linda

All assets awarded to my client

Norm

My client was not required to pay any spousal support. The court accepted my experts valuation of the business which was several million dollars less the the valuation proposed by the wife.

Melissa

Husband was required to pay substantial spousal support and additional funds for her contributions.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1977

Detroit College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1974

Northern Michigan University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2009

NBI Seminars

Handling Complex Custody Matters

2007

Macomb County Bar Association

Divorce Property Issues

2006

Macomb County Bar Association

Divorce

Publications

2009

Bar Briefs (MCBA) The Prenupital Agreement-What makes it Valid & Enforceable

2004

Bar Briefs (MCBA) Divorce Issues

Languages

English

Activity

7

Legal Answers

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution
Learn More About the Avvo Rating