Member Spotlight: Deborah Dixon
- sarah.pike
- May 18
- 5 min read
By Sarah Almond Pike*
"Know your evidence better than anyone else in the courtroom." This principle, instilled by mentor Mario Conte, has guided Deborah Dixon throughout her remarkable legal career thus far. As founding partner of The Dixon Firm and General Counsel for the Los Angeles Chargers, Deborah has built a reputation for excellence in class actions, mass torts, and more while making time to give back to the San Diego legal community.
The San Diego FBA is thrilled to feature Deborah in this month’s attorney spotlight.
Guided by Fairness
Deborah's journey to law began with a fundamental concern for fairness. Growing up, she frequently engaged in discussions about what was fair—what she would today call issues of equity—so much so that her mother joked she should perhaps become a lawyer. Though initially uncertain about her career path, Deborah’s interest in justice led to UC Santa Barbara, where she majored in Law and Society. She enjoyed the interdisciplinary classwork and especially a Socratic-method Constitutional Law class for undergraduates. Her initial reaction was one of partial resistance, she recalls: “Oh no, I might like this!”
The true turning point came when Deborah volunteered at a Legal Aid Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinic. For three years she supported survivors, occasionally accompanying them to court proceedings. She still remembers attempting to walk to the front of the courtroom to support a survivor when the judge informed her that as a non-attorney, "You can't go past the bar.” That visual image—of needing to "pass the bar" to truly advocate for others—crystallized her decision to pursue law. She signed up for the LSAT.
"I knew at that moment that I needed to pass the bar to be able to speak for people," Deborah recalls. "I didn't like being on the sidelines and not being able to advocate."
Building Skills
At California Western School of Law, Deborah thrived in practice-oriented classes, especially learning from former Federal Defenders Executive Director Mario Conte. After graduation, Deborah began her career at a litigation firm. Within one year of being admitted to the bar, she found herself delivering an opening statement in a jury trial—a case involving two developers suing each other over sewer systems.
"I didn't care what the subject matter was, I just went for the opportunities," she explains.
As a young associate, Deborah created her own learning opportunities. She would ask to tag along to watch depositions, even when it wasn't billable time, to observe how experienced attorneys worked. "Always ask to attend; make it known 'I'm available to help with depositions,'" she advises. While this meant taking on extra work, it provided invaluable experience.
Deborah acknowledges the feeling of insecurity as a new associate is real. "I didn't always know what I was being asked, but I was willing to go look it up and figure it out," she says. Her message to young attorneys interested in litigation is clear: "You will have to push and chase that to get the experience." She also emphasizes all the variables within young attorneys’ control. Learning legal procedure, how to introduce evidence, and presenting yourself professionally are key, and can put you on equal footing with more experienced counsel.
Founding Her Firm & Embracing Underestimation
Deborah believes anyone can start their own firm—again, provided they’re willing to figure things out. Building The Dixon Firm required learning everything from client trust account rules to managing employees. Since starting with just one part-time paralegal, Deborah has grown the practice while maintaining a strong sense of responsibility to both her employees and clients. "Independence is the best part—taking the cases I want to take, advocating for the issues and clients I want to," she says. "My favorite part is working with the team I've built."
Deborah says being underestimated can be an advantage. "I used to hate it when I was younger, but now I'm perfectly fine with it. It's a secret weapon." The Dixon Firm regularly goes up against larger law firms with greater resources. "We're used to there being six to eight people on the other side to our one or two, but knowing the rules of evidence is still an equalizer. If you know the rules and procedures, there's nothing that they know that you don't know."
Community Connection
Deborah emphasizes the importance of connecting with the legal community in San Diego. "We are so lucky to practice here. People are willing to give their time and share their skills," she says. Whether through the Federal Bar Association, Lawyers Club, or other organizations, she encourages attorneys to build relationships outside their firms.
This commitment to community is reflected in Deborah's extensive involvement. Among other roles, she has been a Lawyer Representative to the United States District Court for the Southern District of California; past-president of Lawyers Club of San Diego; and an Adjunct Professor at California Western School of Law. The FBA San Diego Chapter is also fortunate to have Deborah serve on our Advisory Board.
Deborah particularly values the bench-bar relationship in San Diego. She cites the FBA's Holiday Party as one of her favorite events, praising the relationships with the incredible judicial officers “who take time to interact with our community."
Expertise In Court and On the Field
For those interested in mass torts and class actions, Deborah emphasizes the importance of learning the rules. "Lawyers need to learn the rules for representing numerous clients in mass actions and remember they owe a duty to every single one of them," she advises. Those obligations don't go away "just because the clients are part of a coordinated case." She also stresses understanding the procedures and timelines for class actions in state versus federal court, as well as the differences in case management and fee agreements.
Deborah's mastery of rules extends beyond traditional litigation. As General Counsel for the Los Angeles Chargers, she brings her legal expertise to the world of professional sports. This role complements her recently rekindled interest in live sports—she counts herself as a huge Padres fan and supporter of the San Diego Wave. "I enjoy watching other people who excel at their craft," she says.
Recognition of Excellence
Deborah's talents and service have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, she received the "Friend of San Diego South Asian Bar Association" award for her commitment to diversity and inclusion. She was honored with the Witkin Award for Excellence in the Practice of Law in 2024. And she will be recognized by Lawyers Club with the Community Service award this June.
Through her practice, teaching, and community leadership, Deborah has gone from passing to raising the bar, by advocating for her clients and helping to shape the next generation of legal talent in San Diego.
*Sarah Almond Pike serves on the San Diego FBA Board of Directors as Vice President of Public Relations.
