LAWYER PROFILE

Dawn McKnight

UK 2026

Carson McDowell

Ranked in 5 practice areas

Intellectual Property

Northern Ireland

15 years ranked

Information Technology

Northern Ireland

8 years ranked

Education: Institutions

Northern Ireland

2 years ranked

Partnership: Non-contentious

UK-wide

2 years ranked

Commercial Contracts

UK-wide

1 year ranked

About

Provided by Carson McDowell

Practice Areas

Dawn’s key practice areas include Commercial Law, Partnership Law, Data Protection and Intellectual Property. She advises a mix of both private and public sector clients and has particular expertise in the IT (including software, computer services, technology and hardware), cyber security, manufacturing, transport, and education sectors.

Career

Dawn is well experienced in advising on commercial agreements, non-contentious intellectual property matters, Data Protection issues, the formation of partnerships and management of partnership disputes, and the implications of Brexit from a contracting, IP and Data Protection perspective.

Dawn is a Partner at Carson McDowell and heads up the Commercial and Contentious Intellectual Property teams.

Professional Memberships

Dawn is a member of the Institute of Directors, the Society of Computers & Law, and the Association of Partnership Practitioners.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Intellectual Property - Northern Ireland

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Dawn McKnight represents the university sector and spin-outs as well as manufacturers and software houses in the full span of technology transfer and commercial licensing matters. She also conducts IP audits and due diligence in the preparation of corporate transactions.

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Information Technology - Northern Ireland

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Dawn McKnight is the head of Carson McDowell's non-contentious intellectual property team and its tech sector team. She advises customers and suppliers of IT services on all manner of commercial transactions, and is particularly noted for her corporate and investment work in the tech sector startup environment.

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Education: Institutions - Northern Ireland

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Dawn McKnight is a partner in the education team at Carson McDowell and focuses her time on the spin-out sector. Her clients include Northern Irish universities, government bodies and university-owned subsidiaries.

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Partnership: Non-contentious - UK-wide

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Dawn McKnight specialises in advising on non-contentious partnership matters, with a focus on professional and GP partnerships, as well as providing counsel on the incorporation of partnership businesses.

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Commercial Contracts - UK-wide

Band 5

Individual Editorial

Dawn McKnight heads the commercial practice at Carson McDowell. She is particularly sought after for her experience in matters pertaining to commercial agreements in the technology, manufacturing and transport sectors.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Dawn's commercial vision is very strong. She is astute and easy to work with.
Intellectual PropertyChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Dawn is very responsive and provides a quick turnaround.
Intellectual PropertyChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Dawn McKnight is helpful and knowledgeable.
Intellectual PropertyChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Dawn McKnight is very responsive and to the point.
Intellectual PropertyChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Dawn McKnight is a fabulous legal adviser, a role model for others.
Information TechnologyChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Dawn McKnight is very responsive and provides a quick turnaround.
Information TechnologyChambers Guide to the Legal Profession