Richard F. Dahlson
Practice Areas
Experience
- Biotech, MedTech, & Life Sciences
- Capital Markets
- Energy Acquisition & Disposition
- Family Office
- Family-Owned Business
- International
- International Transactions
- Investment Funds
- Latin America Inbound – Spanish
- Latin America Outbound – English
- Mergers, Acquisitions, & Divestitures
- Private Equity
Richard Dahlson is noted for his capabilities in complex transactions, including M&A. He regularly handles cross-border deals. One client stated, “Richard always gives us the impression that we're his most important client. His strengths are his depth of knowledge, responsiveness and his strong ability to negotiate on our behalf.” Another source added: “Richard is an amazing counsel. He's very down-to-earth, business-oriented and he delivers what you need.”
— Chambers USA Guide, 2024
“He has been consistently very knowledgeable and responsive.”
— Client Quoted in Chambers USA Guide, 2022
“Richard Dahlson earns praise from market sources for being a ‘get-the-deal-done guy’ when representing clients in M&A, securities matters and leveraged buyouts. One interviewee knows him to have ‘very strong technical knowledge and provide excellent customer service.’”
— Chambers USA 2018
Biography
Richard F. Dahlson’s corporate practice is complemented by his extensive experience in securities matters and he has represented both companies and investment bankers in over thirty public offerings and over forty PIPE transactions. His clients include large established companies as well as startups. Rick is also the former Chair of the Firm’s Corporate and Securities practice.
Over the last ten years, as the economy has been globalized, Rick’s practice has expanded with numerous international transactions in Europe, the Middle East, South America, Australia, China, Korea, Mexico and Canada.
Rick is committed to achieving his clients’ goals and offers strategic advice on decisions that affect them, professionally and personally, resulting in strong, long-term relationships.
Rick has extensive experience and knowledge in the following areas:
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Public Offerings
- Private Placements
- Public Reporting Compliance
- Emerging Growth Companies
- Technology
- Recapitalizations
- Fund Formation
Education
B.S.B.A., magna cum laude, University of Minnesota
J.D., cum laude, University of Wisconsin Law School
Bar Admissions
Texas
Wisconsin
Transactional
- Represents both purchasers and sellers in leveraged buy-outs, mergers and acquisitions and recapitalizations.
Financing
- Represents entrepreneurs, investors and investments funds (equity funds, hedge funds and venture funds).
- Legal 500 Elite: Corporate and M&A, 2025 (Inaugural Edition)
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Corporate/M&A – Texas, 2012-2018, 2021-2025
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2024-2026
- Corporate Law, 2025-2026
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2024-2026
- Top 10 Influential Corporate/M&A Lawyers in Texas, Business Today, 2023
- Top 50 M&A Attorneys in Texas, The Texas Lawbook, 2018
- Texas Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters
- Securities & Corporate Finance, 2003-2004, 2013-2015
- Mergers & Acquisitions, 2003-2004, 2013-2015
- Best Lawyer, D Magazine, 2014
- American Bar Association – Business Law Section
- State Bar of Texas – Business Law Section
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 “Lawyers of the Year” and 106 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.
Attorney News • August 21, 2025
Chambers and Partners Releases 2025 USA Guide Featuring 79 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 28 Ranked Departments
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 79 attorneys and 28 departments for inclusion in the 2025 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 29 departments, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 9 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 12 recognized for the first time.
Spotlight • June 5, 2025
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 15, 2024
Chambers and Partners Releases 2024 USA Guide Featuring 67 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 23 Ranked Departments
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 67 attorneys and 23 departments for inclusion in the 2024 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 27 departments, with 3 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 8 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 15 recognized for the first time.
Spotlight • June 6, 2024
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 17, 2023
Chambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2023 USA and Global Guides
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 51 attorneys and 17 departments for inclusion in the 2023 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys recognized in the guides were ranked in 19 practice areas, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas and 6 named among the top attorneys nationwide in their respective areas.
Spotlight • June 1, 2023
Chambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2022 USA and Global Guides
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 48 attorneys and 16 departments for inclusion in the 2022 edition of the Global and USA guides.
Spotlight • June 1, 2022
Chambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2021 USA and Global Guides
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 41 attorneys and 14 departments for inclusion in the 2021 edition of the Global and USA guides.
Spotlight • May 20, 2021
Jackson Walker Expands Corporate & Securities Practice With Addition of Houston Partner Charles Harrell
A widely respected corporate attorney, Charles Harrell focuses his practice on complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, cross-border matters, finance, and capital markets.
Attorney News • October 19, 2020
Chambers USA 2018 Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce 26 attorneys have been ranked in the 2018 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business guide, with four additional attorneys identified as “recognized practitioners.”
Spotlight • May 3, 2018
Jackson Walker Expands Corporate & Securities Group With Addition of Mario Dolan
We are pleased to welcome Mario Perez Dolan as a partner in our Dallas office.
Attorney News • November 4, 2016
Rick Dahlson Speaks to Texas Lawbook About Decline in Mergers & Acquisitions in Texas-Based Businesses
Excerpt below from The Texas Lawbook – Mergermarket: Texas M&A Dollar Declines Again in Q2:
Mentions • August 2, 2016
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2015 Chambers-Ranked Partners and Practice Groups
Twenty Jackson Walker partners were selected for inclusion in the 2015 edition of the prestigious Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business guide, and one additional partner was named a “Recognized Practitioner.”
Spotlight • May 22, 2015
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2014 Chambers-Ranked Partners and Practice Groups
Sixteen Jackson Walker partners were selected for inclusion in the 2014 edition of the prestigious Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business guide, and one additional partner was named a “Recognized Practitioner.”
Spotlight • May 23, 2014
Gearing up for 2012 Annual Reporting Season: Has Your Public Company Board Addressed Cybersecurity Risk?
As companies have migrated toward increasing dependence on digital technologies to conduct their operations, the risks to these companies associated with cybersecurity incidents have also increased.
Insights • January 23, 2012
Practice Experience
Transactional
- Represents both purchasers and sellers in leveraged buy-outs, mergers and acquisitions and recapitalizations.
Financing
- Represents entrepreneurs, investors and investments funds (equity funds, hedge funds and venture funds).
Recognition & Accolades
- Legal 500 Elite: Corporate and M&A, 2025 (Inaugural Edition)
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Corporate/M&A – Texas, 2012-2018, 2021-2025
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2024-2026
- Corporate Law, 2025-2026
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2024-2026
- Top 10 Influential Corporate/M&A Lawyers in Texas, Business Today, 2023
- Top 50 M&A Attorneys in Texas, The Texas Lawbook, 2018
- Texas Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters
- Securities & Corporate Finance, 2003-2004, 2013-2015
- Mergers & Acquisitions, 2003-2004, 2013-2015
- Best Lawyer, D Magazine, 2014
Community Involvement
- American Bar Association – Business Law Section
- State Bar of Texas – Business Law Section