Rick E. Lawrence facts for kids

Rick E. Lawrence is an important American lawyer and judge. He was born on November 4, 1955. Since 2022, he has served as an associate justice on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. This is the highest court in the state of Maine.

Learning and School

Rick Lawrence went to college at Yale University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1977. This is usually the first degree you get from a university. Later, he went to Harvard Law School. In 1986, he earned his Juris Doctor (JD) degree. This is the degree needed to become a lawyer.

His Work as a Lawyer and Judge

Before becoming a judge, Rick Lawrence worked as a lawyer. He was a vice president and managing counsel at a company called Unum. He also worked as an associate lawyer at a law firm named Pierce Atwood.

Serving as a Judge

Rick Lawrence became a state district judge on April 5, 2000. He served in this role for many years, until May 4, 2022. He was chosen for this job by different governors of Maine over time. These included Governor Angus King, Governor John Baldacci, Governor Paul LePage, and Governor Mills. From April 2020, he also served as a deputy chief judge, which means he helped lead the district court.

Maine's Highest Court

On March 7, 2022, Governor Janet Mills chose Rick Lawrence to be an associate justice on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. He was nominated to take the place of Justice Ellen Gorman, who decided to retire.

His nomination was reviewed by a special committee on April 8, 2022. They all agreed he was a good choice. Then, on April 12, 2022, the Maine Senate also voted to approve him. He officially started his new job on May 4, 2022. Rick Lawrence made history by becoming the first African American justice on Maine's highest court.

Other Information

• Rick E. Lawrence at Ballotpedia