About the author
William L. Dawson, Judge, East Cleveland Municipal
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 father to their daughter, Aria Dawson and son William 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, he handled cases ranging from traffic violations to murder. Judge Dawson experienced and survived the same temptations and obstacles that exists in the inner cities across America.
In order to reach, educate and inspire the community, Judge Dawson authored “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 their obstacles. Additionally, Judge Dawson creates workbooks, educational manuals and programs that are taught in his Court, organizations and area high schools and he is a respected speaker in the areas of Domestic Violence, Emotional Intelligence and Leadership. Judge Dawson is also on the Ohio Supreme Court Commission on Continuing Legal Education.
Judge Dawson created The Dawson Leadership Institute to develop and train leaders. He is also the founder of the Annie L. Dawson Foundation for Justice, Education & Achievement, which provides mentoring and scholarships for college bound students.