On Thursday, August 24, 2023, the Supreme Court of Kentucky reinstated attorney Meredith Lynn Lawrence following the end of his five-year suspension due to his conviction for tax fraud.
The case is entitled “Meredith Lynn Lawrence v. Kentucky Bar Association,” with Case No. 2023-SC-0291-KB.
In 2017, Lawrence faced a five-year suspension from practicing law, starting from July 6, 2012. This disciplinary action was a consequence of his tax fraud conviction in the United States District Court for Eastern Kentucky. The Court noted that he had already made a full restitution payment of $128,000 before the suspension took effect.
Since his release from prison, Lawrence has been actively involved in working a cattle farm and operating a small business in Northern Kentucky.
On April 23, 2018, Lawrence filed a motion for reinstatement, and on August 16, 2021, the Character and Fitness Committee conducted a hearing. Although the length of time between the motion and hearing remains unexplained by the Board of Governors, the Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) did not oppose Lawrence’s reinstatement during the hearing. Notably, both the KBA and Lawrence submitted joint findings of fact and conclusions of law supporting his reinstatement, which were adopted by the Committee on October 28, 2021.
The Board of Governors unanimously recommended Lawrence’s reinstatement by a 17-0 vote on February 28, 2022. The Committee’s findings of fact highlighted Lawrence’s compliance with the terms of his suspension, his demonstration of trustworthiness and public confidence, his professional capabilities, as well as his acknowledgment of wrongdoing, contrition, and rehabilitation of character. These findings were supported by numerous affidavits from both lawyers and non-lawyers, attesting to Lawrence’s good character and positive reputation in the community.
Considering the Committee’s findings, the absence of opposition from the KBA, and the unanimous recommendation of the Board, the Supreme Court concluded that Lawrence had fulfilled the necessary conditions for reinstatement.
The court acknowledged Lawrence’s recognition of his past wrongdoings and restitution efforts dating back to 2017. Since then, Lawrence has dutifully complied with the requirements of his suspension, maintained law-abiding citizenship, and successfully rehabilitated himself.
Consequently, the Supreme Court of Kentucky issued an order approving Lawrence’s application for reinstatement to the practice of law.
Lawrence was further ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings amounting to $593.12.
Mr. Lawrence’s profile on the State Bar of Texas page shows that she attended Northern Kentucky University, graduating in 1976. His primary practice location is in Warsaw, and he has been admitted to practice in Kentucky, Iowa, and Texas.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
