Lawrence was born, bred and educated in Pietermaritzburg, attending Merchiston Preparatory School, Maritzburg College, and the University of Natal.

He served his Articles of Clerkship at J. Leslie Smith & Company Inc and was admitted as an Attorney, Conveyancer and Notary in 1971. Lawrence specialises in local conveyancing, financial institution mortgage bonds and commercial transactions.

Lawrenceis a member of the Victoria Country Club and the Natal Fly Fishers Club, but his main interest is road running. He is a member of Collegians Harriers Athletic Club and has completed a number of Comrades Marathons and Two Oceans Marathon in which he still regularly competes.

He is a past Chairman of the Pietermaritzburg Child and Family Welfare Society and was a committee member and legal adviser for 15 years.