From The Journal Record / by Jessica Mitchell
Published: November 3, 2016
Click to see full story – 50 Making a Difference profile: Dawn Rahme, J.D.
Dawn M. Rahme represents individuals and businesses in an array of transactional matters. The focus of her practice is assisting corporations, partnerships and individuals in general tax planning.
Inspired by her father’s success in overcoming challenges, Dawn Rahme is driven to work her hardest in the face of adversity.
Rahme’s father, at the age of 25, moved from Lebanon to the United States. Without money, an education, employment or knowledge of the English language, his chances of success were slim. However, he overcame the odds to build a successful business through hard work, perseverance, integrity and commitment.
“Hard work, integrity and passion will guide me to success throughout my life,” Rahme said. “Though my life has been much easier than his – thanks to him and my mother – my goal remains to follow his example in life: take pride in what I do and work hard to achieve success.”
Rahme earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa in 1998 and her juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 2001. She then went on to obtain her master of law in taxation at New York University School of Law.
She joined Phillips Murrah in 2004 and today is a shareholder and director of the Oklahoma City firm and serves on the firm’s executive committee.
She is a member of the firm’s tax, estate planning and corporate law practice groups, has been involved in several complex mergers and acquisitions, and frequently advises clients on the best structure to hold existing assets as well as effects of tax planning with limited partnerships and limited liability companies.
“I believe where Dawn truly sets herself apart from her peers is in her unique ability to evaluate complex transactions from a business perspective, in addition to the legal perspective one would expect,” said Robert O’Bannon, a director of Phillips Murrah. “Her proficiency in this arena is not due merely to her excellent analytical abilities, but because she has extensive professional experience.”
Phillips Murrah Director Thomas G. Wolfe describes Rahme as a natural leader.
“Her willingness to accept challenges and listen to input from her colleagues enables her to contribute thoughtful, well-reasoned approaches to help solve difficult problems,” Wolfe said.
Rahme’s civic involvement has included volunteering with Positive Tomorrows, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Oklahoma Family Network, Regional Food Bank and Susan G. Komen Foundation. She said she is proud of her work in co-founding Phillips Murrah’s Holiday Family project more than a decade ago.
“As lawyers, we are fortunate enough to provide for our families, but there are so many who cannot afford even the most basic necessities, let alone Christmas gifts,” she said. “It was – and still is – hard for me to imagine a child not experiencing the surprise of Christmas morning, the joy of running to the tree and finding a present waiting to be torn into.”