In re James S. Lawrence, No. 23-344 (December 19, 2023) ( 2023 )

Supreme Court
No. 2023-344-M.P.
In the Matter of James S. Lawrence. :
ORDER
On December 4, 2023, this Court entered an Order disbarring Mr. James S.
Lawrence after receiving his Affidavit Voluntarily Consenting to Disbarment, which
was filed with the Court on November 15, 2023. In the Matter of James S. Lawrence,
No. 2023-344-M.P, slip op. at 1 (R.I. Dec. 4, 2023). Per a prior Order of the Court
entered on April 20, 2023, Mr. Lawrence was suspended indefinitely from the
practice of law. In re Lawrence, 291 A.3d 1012, 1012 (R.I. 2023) (mem.). In the
latter Order, the Court had appointed Attorney Matthew F. Callaghan, Jr., as Special
Master to take possession of and inventory Mr. Lawrence’s client files and banking
accounts, and empowered the Special Master to take whatever steps necessary to
protect the clients’ interest; including, but not limited to returning files to the clients
or new counsel of each client’s choice. The Special Master position has been vacant
since August 26, 2023.
The Court hereby appoints the Honorable Michael A. Silverstein, Special
Master of Accounts and Marshalling Assets, over Mr. Lawrence’s and his former
firm, Lawrence and Associates’ (a.k.a. Lawrence and Associates, LLC), trust and
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operating accounts. Regarding said bank accounts, the Special Master is given sole
and exclusive access to the following accounts heretofore controlled by Mr. James
Lawrence, either solely or jointly with any other parties: business and operating
accounts; trust accounts, including special trust accounts; special needs trust
accounts; clients’ accounts; estate accounts; and any and all other accounts related
to Mr. Lawrence’s former law practice that he has in the past utilized for the deposit
and maintenance of fiduciary and/or clients’ funds and fee advances. The foregoing
list of accounts shall also include any accounts where Mr. Lawrence formerly served
as an agent, special agent, trustee, personal representative, executor, power of
attorney, or custodian. The Special Master shall have sole control over these above-
described accounts, to the exclusion of Mr. Lawrence, until further order of this
Court. By this Order, the Court prohibits Mr. Lawrence or any of his agents from
withdrawing or transferring funds from any of the aforementioned accounts.
The Special Master shall also marshal any assets of Mr. Lawrence’s former
law firm and liquidate said assets, to make additional funds available to pay the
verified claims of Mr. Lawrence’s former clients.
The Court also hereby orders Mr. Lawrence to fully cooperate with the Special
Master of Accounts and Marshalling Assets, to assist them and their agents in
effectuating their duties and directs that any lack of cooperation on Mr. Lawrence’s
behalf be reported to this Court for further action.
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The Court also orders the Special Master of Accounts and Marshalling Assets
to investigate and report to the Court about Mr. Lawrence’s 2023 conveyance of the
title to his residence as a fraudulent conveyance designed to defeat his creditors.
The Court also hereby appoints Chief Disciplinary Counsel, Kerry Reilley
Travers, and her successor, Special Master of Client Files, to store and return client
files to the former clients of Mr. Lawrence. The Court also authorizes Disciplinary
Counsel to destroy any files remaining in her or her successor’s possession on or
after April 20, 2033.
The Court also grants Disciplinary Counsel authority to share the contents of
said client files with the Special Master of Accounts and Marshalling Assets, to the
extent necessary to allow both Special Masters to fully execute their duties.
Entered as an Order of this Court this 19th day of December 2023.
By Order:
/s/ Meredith A. Benoit
Clerk
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
SUPREME COURT – CLERK’S OFFICE
Licht Judicial Complex
250 Benefit Street
Providence, RI 02903
ORDER COVER SHEET
Title of Case In the Matter of James S. Lawrence.
Case Number No. 2023-344-M.P.
Date Order Filed December 19, 2023
Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Robinson, Lynch Prata, and
Justices
Long, JJ.
Source of Appeal N/A
Judicial Officer from Lower Court N/A
For Petitioner:
Kerry Reilley Travers, Esq.
Attorney(s) on Appeal Chief Disciplinary Counsel
For Respondent:
William C. Dimitri, Esq.
SU-CMS-02B (revised November 2022)