1996 Hall of Fame Inductee Robert G. Lawson Class of 1963

Often heard in courtrooms throughout the commonwealth is the phrase “according to Lawson”. Judges and attorneys alike acknowledge Bob Lawson as THE authority on Kentucky rules of evidence. 

Born in West Virginia on July 15, 1938, Bob Lawson attended Berea College and Tulane University in New Orleans before obtaining his J.D. at UK in 1963. Lawson was editor-in-chief of the Kentucky Law Journal and graduated Order of the Coif. 

Beginning his career as an attorney for the American Electric Power System, Lawson soon returned to Lexington to practice as an associate with the firm of Eblen, Howard, & Milner.

In 1966, Bob Lawson’s true calling became apparent as he joined the UK Law faculty receiving tenure in 1969. In the summer of 1971, then UK President Otis Singletary appointed Bob Lawson Acting Dean of the College of Law. Declining to be considered for the position on a permanent basis, he served for a period of two years. 

From 1973 until 1982 he taught hundreds of UK law students, only to be named once again to assume the deanship which he held from 1982 to 1987.