John Stephen Lawrence Jr.

1949 - 2025

John Stephen (Steve) Lawrence, Jr., 75, passed away on April 6, 2025, after a long illness. Steve was born on October 29, 1949, and graduated as the valedictorian from E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, VA in 1968 and earned a National Merit Scholarship. He received his B.A., summa cum laude, from Duke University in 1972 where he received Phi Beta Kappa honors. In 1975, he graduated from the University of Chicago School of Law, where he was an Articles Editor for the University of Chicago Law Review and selected to be a member of the Order of the Coif.
From 1975-76, Steve clerked for The Honorable Malcolm Wilkie of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He became a litigation partner at the law firm of Arnold & Porter in Washington, DC, starting in 1990. Before joining Arnold & Porter, Steve was a partner at the law firm of Pepper, Hamilton & Scheetz and an associate at the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering. Steve also taught law as an associate professor of law at the University of Illinois School of Law, an adjunct professor of law at Washington & Lee School of Law and a visiting professor of law at Duke University School of Law.
Steve was widely respected for his extraordinary academic successes, keen intellect and utmost integrity. He derived great satisfaction from working on cutting edge legal matters and representing some of the nation's leading research institutions. As a law professor and a senior partner in major law firms, he was devoted to guiding younger lawyers, for which he earned their deep affection and loyalty.
Steve is preceded in death by his father John Stephen Lawrence, Sr. and his mother Mary Lawrence. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Lawrence, his sister, Patricia Campbell, his brother, Robert Lawrence. The family would like to send a special thanks to David Apatoff, who supported Steve in so many ways for more than thirty years.
A memorial service for Steve will be held on May 29, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Ashburn, VA with a reception to follow. Any questions about the memorial service should be directed to Bob Lawrence at:
robert.r.lawrence@gmail.com.