Chris Dawson has represented clients in a wide variety of practice areas since 1998, including real estate, commercial transactions, litigation, creditor’s rights, collections, and bankruptcy. Chris is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio. Throughout his career, Chris has appeared in both state and federal courts in all three states.
Chris initially joined VanAntwerp Attorneys, LLP in 1998 and practiced with the firm until 2006 during which time he was first chair for three jury trials and argued a case before the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. Chris then partnered with an attorney to form Hensley & Dawson law firm in Flatwoods, Kentucky where he served as first chair for multiple civil and criminal jury trials and argued a case before the Kentucky Court of Appeals. Following his practice in Flatwoods, Kentucky, for over 10 years, Chris practiced collections and creditor rights law extensively in the State of West Virginia, having appeared before courts in nearly all fifty-five counties in the state. Chris argued a case before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals that resulted in a favorable published decision regarding perfection of liens on manufactured homes. Chris’ experience in West Virginia includes defending creditors against consumer claims in difficult venues throughout the state.
Chris re-joined VanAntwerp Attorneys, LLP in 2024 and continues his wide-ranging practice in all three states making up the Tri-State area. Currently, his practice includes collection and creditor rights matters, commercial collections, bankruptcy, both residential and commercial real estate transactions, and general litigation. Among other clients, Chris represents local credit unions, a large national auto finance company, and local real estate investors and developers. Since his return to the firm, Chris has litigated and resolved a case for a mortgage lender that resulted in recovery of all funds lost due to a fraudulent wire transfer and has assisted in commercial real estate transactions involving millions of dollars.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Kentucky, 1998
- Ohio, 2004
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, 1999
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky, 2006
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, 2005
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia, 2008
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia, 2011
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 2020
EDUCATION
- University of Kentucky College of Law, Lexington, Kentucky; J.D. – 1998
- Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; B.A. in Economics, 1995
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
- Kentucky Bar Association, Member, 1998-present
- West Virginia Bar Association, Member, 2008-present
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
- Speaker at Tri-State Real Investors Group, 2019, 2024
- Leadership Tri-State, Class of 2005
- Member, Greenup County Red Cross Board of Directors, 2008-2011
- Coach of youth sports teams at YMCA, 2005-2011