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Supreme Court

No. 2023-344-M.P.

In the Matter of James S. Lawrence. :

O R D E R

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 abovedescribed 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 day of December 2023.

By Order:

/s/ Meredith A. Benoit 

Clerk

19th
SU-CMS-02B (revised November 2022)

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

Justices Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Robinson, Lynch Prata, and 

Long, JJ.

Source of Appeal N/A

Judicial Officer from Lower Court N/A

Attorney(s) on Appeal

For Petitioner:

Kerry Reilley Travers, Esq.

Chief Disciplinary Counsel

For Respondent:

William C. Dimitri, Esq.