Carl Michael Lawson

October 30, 1948 - June 9, 2015

Carl Michael Lawson, "Mike," beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, transitioned to heaven on June 9, 2015 in the presence of many of his loved ones. Not only was Mike a brilliant attorney and writer, but he was also an avid Tennessee football fan, animal lover, world traveler, and artist. A native of Lake City, Tennessee, Mike was a graduate of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and the Nashville School of Law. He treated his clients with such a high level of care that most of them became lifelong friends. Mike was strong and courageous and spoke up for those who could not speak up for themselves. It would be difficult to overstate the strength of his will to live or the quality of his sense of humor. Days before his death, a close friend and colleague remarked, "Mike laughed more in one hour than I do in a whole week."
Mr. Lawson's extensive experience as a trial lawyer includes serving as the District Attorney General and County Attorney of Anderson County Tennessee. Since moving to the Nashville area in 1982, Mike Lawson has litigated more than 35 jury trials to conclusion and brought to resolution many other complex cases including medical malpractice and products liability litigation. Not long ago, Mike was successful as co-lead counsel in certifying and resolving and employment class action in Davidson County, Tennessee involving more than 500 claimants and several Million dollars in damages.
Since 1994, Mr. Lawson has been certified by the state of Tennessee as a Civil Trial Specialist, by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) as a Civil Pretrial Practice Advocate, and by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys as a specialist in the field of medical professional negligence. Mr. Lawson has spoken to many trial lawyer organizations and has written trial related articles which have been published. In 2012, Mr. Lawson was selected to present the opening statement for the Plaintiff in the Masters in Trial Program for the Tennessee Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocacy. Mike was invited to join the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocacy (ABOTA).
Mike is survived by his three children, Whitney Leigh Lawson of Dallas, Texas, and Matthew Watts Lawson and Michael Blair Lawson, of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, his daughter-in-law, Tonya Lawson and his 5 grandchildren: Whitney's daughter, Ella Maddux Anderson, 2, and Matthew and Tonya's children, Hayden Watts Lawson, 8, Gabrielle Leigh Lawson, 6, Skylar Danielle Lawson, 5 and Carson Michael Lawson born June 23, 2015, named to honor his grandfather. Mike is also survived by his sister, Sara Lou Lawson Oldham and her husband, Charlie and by his brother, James Edward Lawson, Jr. and his wife, Susan, all of Lake City, Tennessee along with his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mattie Lou Hicks Lawson and his father, James Edward Lawson.
A memorial service will be held to honor Mike on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at 3 p.m. at Belle Meade United Methodist Church, 121 Davidson Road, Nashville TN 37205, Leonard Markham officiating. The family will receive visitors at the church from 2 to 3 p.m. It is the family's hope that before and after the service, friends and family will reconnect and perhaps go out to dinner to celebrate Mike's life.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Mike's honor to Alive Hospice Residence Nashville, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203. Mike and his family were given extraordinary care at the Residence where Mike spent the last week of his life. Alive Hospice continues to offer grief counseling and other services to Mike's loved ones. You may mail your donation to the address above or by telephone or online, specifying Alive Hospice Residence Nashville, 615-327-1885 or www.alivehospice.org.