TO BE PUBLISHED

Supreme Court of Kentucky

2023-SC-0291-KB

MEREDITH LYNN LAWRENCE MOVANT

V. IN SUPREME COURT 

KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION RESPONDENT

OPINION & ORDER

This case is before the Court upon the Movant Meredith Lynn Lawrence’s 

motion for reinstatement under SCR 3.502. His KBA Member Number is 

40365. In 2017, Lawrence was suspended from the practice of law for five 

years, retroactive to July 6, 2012, as a result of his conviction for tax fraud in

the United States District Court for Eastern Kentucky. Lawrence v. Kentucky 

Bar Association, 533 S.W.3d 686, 687 (Ky. 2017). We noted in that opinion that 

he had already paid full restitution totaling $128,000 at the time of 

suspension. Id. at 686. 

Since his release from prison, Lawrence has worked a cattle farm, as well 

as being a small business owner in Northern Kentucky. He filed his motion for 

reinstatement on April 23, 2018, and the Character and Fitness Committee 

conducted a hearing on August 16, 2021. The length of time between the 

motion and hearing is unexplained by the Board of Governors but the KBA did 

not oppose Lawrence’s reinstatement at the hearing. In fact, both the KBA and 
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Lawrence submitted joint findings of fact and conclusions of law in support of 

reinstatement with the Character and Fitness Committee. Those were adopted 

by the Committee on October 28, 2021. On February 28, 2022, the Board of 

Governors unanimously recommended Lawrence’s reinstatement by a 17-0

vote, with two members absent and two members recused. 

The Committee’s findings of fact included that Lawrence had complied 

with the terms of his suspension; demonstrated worthiness of trust and 

confidence of the public; possessed sufficient professional capabilities to serve 

as a lawyer; and his acknowledgment of wrongdoing, contrition, and 

rehabilitation of character. The Board noted these findings were made “after a 

full adversarial hearing and supported by a host of affidavits from both lawyers 

and non-lawyers vouching for Lawrence’s good character and positive 

reputation in the community.”

Given the findings of the Committee; the lack of opposition by the KBA;

and the unanimous recommendation of the Board, we conclude Lawrence has 

met the conditions necessary for reinstatement. His recognition of wrong-doing 

and restitution was noted back in 2017. Id. Since that time, he has complied 

with the requirements of his suspension, has been a law-abiding citizen and 

businessman, and has rehabilitated himself. His reinstatement is consistent 

with similar cases such as Greene v. Kentucky Bar Association, 904 S.W.2d 233 

(Ky. 1995). In Greene, we reinstated an attorney to the practice of law after he 

was suspended for his conviction for defrauding investors in excess of 

$250,000 but had demonstrated remorse, made some restitution, and had 
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contacted his victims and agreed to repayment plans with all of them for the 

remaining restitution. Id. at 234-36.

Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that the application for 

reinstatement to the practice of law by Meredith L. Lawrence is approved 

subject to the following conditions:

1. Lawrence complies with the terms of SCR 3.503(6). The results of 

Lawrence’s examination shall be certified by the Board of Bar 

Examiners to this Court and the Executive Director of the KBA; 

2. Lawrence shall pay the cost of the proceedings, totaling $593.12, 

pursuant to SCR 3.503(5). Also, if the additional KBA costs exceed 

the posted bond, Lawrence shall pay the excess. If there are any 

funds remaining from the posted bond after the Office of Bar 

Admissions and KBA have recovered their costs, said funds shall 

be paid back to Lawrence.

All sitting. All concur. 

ENTERED: August 24, 2023 

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CHIEF JUSTICE