WilmerHale Hires Promontory Consultant Dawson as D.C. Partner

Michael Dawson, a former Promontory Financial Group managing partner who founded the consulting firm’s London office and led its Asia operation, has joined WilmerHale as a partner in the firm’s Washington office.

Dawson, who previously served as a senior advisor in the Treasury Department, joins WilmerHale’s securities and financial services department, where he will represent financial institutions, including banks, payments firms, and fintech firms.

“Michael is a builder and leader,” said Robert Novick, co-managing partner of WilmerHale. “Our clients will benefit from his experience.”

Dawson held several leadership roles in his 16 years at Promontory, including founding the firm’s software arm and its managed services business. He played a key role in the firm’s 2016 sale to IBM.

He said he hopes to draw on his experience as a financial consultant in his new role as a lawyer. “I will be able to provide the legal advice with an understanding of what the operational implications may be,” he said.

Before Promontory, Dawson was deputy assistant secretary and senior adviser in the Treasury Department from 2001 to 2004. He helped implement policies related to sanctions, anti-money laundering, counter terrorist financing, privacy, consumer protection, credit reporting, and anti-identity theft.

He began his career as an associate at Covington & Burling.