Dawson earned his Bachelor of Arts from The Citadel, and his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

[1] From 2001 to 2020, Dawson operated his own law practice and focused on general civil litigation and providing strategic advice to small businesses.

[2] On October 1, 2020, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Dawson to the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina seat vacated by Judge Terry L. Wooten, who assumed senior status on February 28, 2019.

[6] On December 16, 2020, the United States Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 56–39 vote.

[9] In 2022, a judicial reform organization filed a formal complaint against Dawson over his ongoing $216,000 contract with the Charleston County government shortly after his confirmation to the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina.