S. W. Dawson, Esq., is the founder and managing member of Dawson, P.L.C. Mr. Dawson specializes in bespoke litigation strategies, particularly in the realm of state and federal criminal defense. Mr. Dawson regularly represents clients throughout the entire Commonwealth of Virginia, but maintains his most active presence in the Hampton Roads and Northern Neck regions of Virginia. Over the course of his career, Mr. Dawson has successfully defended countless Virginians and visitors who have faced serious felony or misdemeanor charges in either state or federal court. He has successfully defended clients facing the most serious allegations imaginable, to include: homicide, money laundering, fraud, narcotics violations, rape, driving under the influence (DUI/DWI) and more. Mr. Dawson has also represented clients all over the United States in asset forfeiture cases (which are matters in which the Government attempts to seize and keep a citizen's property). Mr. Dawson also helps clients both in prosecuting and defending claims for monetary damages. Mr. Dawson particularly enjoys collecting debts owed to businesses and individuals. Active in his professional community, Mr. Dawson is a member of the Virginia State Bar, the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Northern Neck Bar Association, and he has lectured on legal topics for several organizations. He sits on the board of directors of Norfolk Festevents, Ltd., and GraceInside, a prison ministry founded in 1920. In recognition of his accomplishments, Mr. Dawson has been recognized for many years in peer-to-peer review publications such as Virginia Super Lawyer Magazine, Virginia Business Magazine, and Coastal Virginia Magazine, among others. Mr. Dawson holds a license to practice law before all Virginia state courts, the United States District Courts for the Eastern District and Western District of Virginia, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Vania is a Chesapeake native and a graduate of Great Bridge High school. Vania went on to graduate from Francis Marion University with a BA in Political Science and Professional Writing. She obtained her law degree from the University of Richmond, TC Williams School of Law in 2001. During law school Vania interned at Virginia Legal Aid and the Chesapeake Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. After graduation, she worked for a small firm practicing family law and estate planning before she moved onto the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake Public Defender’s offices. Thereafter she returned to private practice to focus on estate planning. Vania has been very active in the local autism community, having served as president of the Autism Society of Tidewater and as a board member of Project Lifesaver Virginia Beach. She is currently the president of the Southeastern Elementary School PTA. Vania is the proud mother of four, and lives in the Great Bridge section of Chesapeake with her children and two rescue dogs.