People v. Michael Richard Lawrence. 19PDJ061. October 2, 2019. The Presiding Disciplinary Judge dismissed a petition for readmission to the practice of law filed by Michael Richard Lawrence on October 2, 2019. The Colorado Supreme Court affirmed the Presiding Disciplinary Judge’s order on March 19, 2020. Under C.R.C.P. 251.29(g), Lawrence may not petition for readmission for another two years.
In 2009, Lawrence was convicted of three felonies: attempting to influence a public servant, forgery, and offering a false instrument for recording. On the basis of his criminal convictions, Lawrence was disbarred in December 2010. He sought readmission to the practice of law in August 2019.
The Presiding Disciplinary Judge concluded that Lawrence’s petition for readmission must be dismissed under C.R.C.P. 12(b)(5). Although eight years had elapsed since his disbarment, Lawrence neither took nor passed the Colorado bar exam before petitioning for readmission. Further, he did not allege in his petition any facts or provide any evidence to support a claim that he is fit to practice law, has complied with all disciplinary orders and rules, and has been rehabilitated. As a result, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge found that Lawrence failed to state a plausible claim that he is entitled to be readmitted to the practice of law in Colorado.
The case file is public per C.R.C.P. 251.31.