Judge William Dawson

Judge William L. Dawson is an author, motivational speaker and the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the East Cleveland Municipal Court. He is married to Elsie Dawson and they have one daughter, Aria Dawson and he has a son William L. Dawson II.

Prior to becoming a Judge, his criminal defense practice included cases in Ohio’s Municipal and State Courts, The Ohio Supreme Court, The United States District Court for The Northern & Southern District of Ohio and The United States Court of Appeals in the Sixth Circuit. As an attorney, Judge Dawson handled cases ranging from traffic violations to murder charges.

Judge Dawson was born, raised and educated in East Cleveland, Ohio (where he currently presides as the Judge). Judge Dawson experienced and survived many of the same temptations and obstacles that our youth face today. It was those experiences that led Judge Dawson to becoming a lawyer and ultimately a Judge with a mission to help as many people as possible.

In order to reach, educate and inspire the community, Judge Dawson wrote a book called, “The Legal Matrix, How the system is controlling your life” and its companion workbook. His second book “99 Problems..How Your Failures, Flops & Flaws Can Lead to Your Greatness” aims to further inspire this generation to over come obstacles and become the best that they can be. Additionally, Judge Dawson creates workbooks, educational manuals and programs that are taught in his Court and area high schools.

When not in the courtroom, Judge Dawson conducts the “Finish First” probation program for convicted criminals and the “Finish First” program for junior and high school youth. Additionally, he is the founder and executive director of the Annie L. Dawson Foundation for Justice, Education & Achievement, which provides mentoring and scholarships for college bound high school students.