Judge David Lawson is pictured at the ceremony with his wife, Janet, and the couple’s three sons, Kyle, Daniel, and Ryan. Daniel, an Episcopal priest, delivered the benediction at the October 7 portrait ceremony. The portrait of includes a rendering of a model ship in the background, a vessel that bears the seaworthy and symbolic name of “The Fair American.”
By Tom Kirvan
Legal News
It is an event that some judges approach with a certain amount of trepidation, particularly those like U.S. District Judge David Lawson who has preferred to remain out of the public limelight during his 22 years on the federal bench.
And yet, on the afternoon of October 7 in a courtroom filled with family, friends, colleagues, and admirers, Judge Lawson was squarely in the spotlight at his portraiture ceremony where a striking likeness of the jurist was unveiled.
The portrait is the work of noted artist Jamie Lee McMahan, a man who has painted U.S. senators, governors, mayors, judges, university presidents, and acclaimed author Alex Haley, the mastermind behind the best-selling book “Roots.”
His portrait of Lawson was commissioned by the court after the University of Notre Dame magna cum laude graduate took senior status in August of 2021. The painting, which may well rank among McMahan’s most masterful works, will now hang in a second-floor courtroom at the downtown Detroit courthouse.
“This is a happy event, to present this portrait, which I hope one day will hang in the courtroom on the seventh floor of this building where I do my work at present,” Lawson remarked at the October 7 ceremony. “For the time being, my friend and colleague Judge Matthew Leitman has agreed to give it a home in his courtroom. And he has given me a break on the rent.”
The light-hearted comment was Lawson’s way of bringing a fitting end to a memorable ceremony that was rich in tributes and heartfelt reflections. The lineup of speakers included such notables as Chief Judge Sean Cox, former Chief Judge Denise Page Hood, retired U.S. Court of Appeals Judge James Ryan, former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, attorney Kenneth Mogill, and attorney Michael Shaffer, longtime career law clerk to the honoree.
Each, not surprisingly, took a turn lavishing praise on Lawson for his judicial brilliance and his steadfast commitment to applying the principle of equal justice under the law.
But when it came time for the honoree to speak, he began by framing the ceremony in his own terms.
“I used to think this was a venerable tradition, until it came time for my portrait,” said Lawson. “I had second thoughts. I considered that it was somewhat self-indulgent and perhaps elevated the idea of individual public service unnecessarily. But looking at the portraits of the remarkable individuals who have served in our court and devoted their lives and careers to the cause of justice, I came to appreciate how memorializing that service emphasizes the role that we have been privileged to play in the greater scheme of our national democratic experiment.”
He also took the opportunity to “publicly and enthusiastically thank Jamie McMahan, who has brought his talent and insight to the process in creating this work.” He added, “If any of my colleagues are looking to have their portraits painted, you cannot find anyone better, and the experience with Jamie is remarkably uplifting. He is a talented gentleman and a kind soul.”
Lawson was nominated to the bench in August 1999 by President William C. Clinton, an appointment that was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in May 2000. Unanimity, of course, is a remarkable phenomenon, particularly when it applies to any act of Congress.
Yet, “remarkable” was a term that was used liberally at the ceremony to describe Lawson’s career and impact on the court.
After graduating first in his class at Wayne State University Law School, Lawson launched his legal career with a clerkship for Justice James Ryan of the Michigan Supreme Court. He then joined his father’s law firm in 1977, spending 9 years working with the family patriarch, a man who taught him and whom he admired so very much.
In 1999, Lawson’s legal skills and scholarly work were brought to the attention of U.S. Senator Carl Levin when an opening on the federal bench occurred. Levin, relying on his merit selection committee, “recommended me for appointment to President Clinton,” Lawson related in his remarks at the portrait ceremony.
“He did not know me and took a chance,” Lawson said of the late Senator. “I hope my record has confirmed the confidence he displayed when he made his recommendation.”
Lawson also took time to speak glowingly of each speaker who paid tribute to him at the ceremony, and made special mention of members of his “crackerjack judicial staff.”
He then “reserved the most important tribute to my family,” including his 96-year-old mother, Dorothy; his sister, Mary,and her husband, Leon; and his wife, Janet, and their three sons, Daniel, Ryan, and Kyle.
“I owe an un-repayable debt of gratitude to my family and the sacrifices they have made to allow me to pursue this career, both as a lawyer and as a judge,” he said before offering one final thought.
“I have saved the best for last, and that is Janet, the love of my life,” Lawson said. “None of the cliches – life partner, soul mate, confidant – are adequate to describe the bond that we share. Later this month, we are celebrating our 50th anniversary. She is a brilliant woman, a remarkable leader who has left her mark on the nonprofit community in Michigan. And she is generous to a fault, always putting the interest of others before herself. And she has enriched my life even more than she could know. And for me, she makes every day worth living. Thank you, my sweet.”
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