Matthew S. Dawson

Matthew Dawson is a well-respected trial attorney who has been fighting passionately for his clients for over 24 years. He enjoys a wide and varied litigation practice, which includes Federal and State Criminal Defense, all manner of Personal Injury claims and complex Civil litigation. When Matt takes on a case, his clients gain the benefit of his dedication, unmatched knowledge and years of experience, as well as his affable nature and ready sense of humor.

Prior to becoming a partner with Lynch & Pine in 2011, Dawson was a top-level prosecutor for the State of Rhode Island having served as lead-counsel for the State in numerous high-profile cases. Dawson has earned a reputation as a consummate professional who is intelligent and aggressive in the courtroom while maintaining a reasonable, balanced approach. He has successfully represented clients facing criminal charges in State and Federal Courts and has argued winning appellate cases before the Rhode Island Supreme Court and the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Respected by his legal peers, Dawson is frequently sought out by other attorneys to handle complex criminal cases and serve as trial counsel.

Dawson has also continued to serve the public by proudly, aggressively and ethically protecting the rights of countless victims of catastrophic auto accidents and other injury claims which, to date, have resulted in over 3.5 million dollars successfully recovered on their behalf.

Never one to back down from a fight, Dawson has successfully represented Defendant’s in State and Federal Courts and Dawson practices Criminal Defense in every County and Court in the State of Rhode Island. He has handled matters as diverse as drunk driving and breathalyzer refusals, to serious felonies including homicides, serious assaults, drug cases, firearm possession and complex white-collar cases.

During a two-decade career as a prosecutor Dawson served as both Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division and Chief of the Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit. Dawson prosecuted complex criminal cases including homicides, sexual assaults, gun cases, white-collar, drunk-driving death cases, violent assaults, the use of force by law-enforcement personnel, and Government corruption.

Dawson is admitted to the Rhode Island State Bar, Federal Bar for the District of Rhode Island and the US First Circuit Court of Appeals. He is currently Chairman of the Bar Association’s Criminal Bench Bar Committee and serves on the Executive Committee of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.