Growing up in southeastern Pennsylvania as the son of a small-business owner, John Lawrence saw first-hand some of the challenges faced by family-run businesses. Later on, he didn’t agree with some of the decisions coming out of Pennsylvania’s capital in Harrisburg, so in 2010 he decided he could best serve his community by throwing his hat into the ring to run for the House of Representatives as a Reformer. In 2011, Lawrence was sworn in to serve the 13th Legislative District, located in Chester County, and he hasn’t looked back.
“Serving as an elected official is humbling and a great honor,” says Lawrence, who is now in his eighth term.
A graduate of Penn State University with a degree in business, Lawrence has built a reputation for bringing a common sense approach to state government. He has authored bills to consolidate redundant government services, reform budgeting practices and even require state legislators to submit to drug tests. Putting his words into action, Lawrence refuses to take a state pension, per diems, drive a state vehicle or take advantage of other perks that come with the job.
This past session, Lawrence authored floor amendments to be sure citizens are aware of their right to counsel, that disabled veterans receive constitutionally mandated property tax relief and that police officers working in some of the most challenging areas in the state are rewarded. He has also had legislation signed into law to ensure victims of domestic violence are not required to financially support their convicted abusers during an ongoing divorce.
Outside of work, Lawrence is active in his church and community, and he and his wife are heavily involved in their two children’s high school activities.
With all of that going on, how is Lawrence possibly going to law school? Through the JDinteractive program at Syracuse University College of Law.
After college, Lawrence went to work at J.P. Morgan Chase as an account officer. Pursuing law was in the back of his mind, and he knew a legal background would be helpful in his line of work. After transitioning to politics, he considered part-time traditional law programs, but they were either too far away from his family and community or conflicted with his other obligations. So, when he discovered Syracuse Law’s hybrid JDi program, Lawrence thought it just might work.
“I did a lot of research before applying and visited the campus several times,” he says. “Before making the commitment to law school, I wanted to make sure I could make it work with my schedule. The JDi program gave me the flexibility to make it happen.”
Today, he is taking asynchronous classes and completing other tasks and activities online around his busy schedule through Syracuse Law’s JDi. He notes that one of the best things about the program has been the other students in his cohort.
“The caliber of others in my cohort is remarkable,” he says. “It’s such a diverse group with very different life experiences—a doctor, a dentist, several working on Wall Street. These people have great perspectives and bring some interesting experiences to the program. Most tend to be a little older than those in traditional law school, and, in a way, it’s helpful that we’re all dealing with the pressures of career, family, community and more. I think I’ve learned as much in law school through the others in my cohort as I have from my professors.”
Living about five hours from Syracuse University, Lawrence has attended several residencies on campus, including one on cryptocurrency just a few months ago. Now a 2L, he is preparing for higher level classes, and while he intends to keep serving the people of Pennsylvania, Lawrence also knows that a degree from Syracuse Law will allow him to expand his work and make him a better policymaker.
“Enrolling in the Syracuse Law JDi program was a great decision,” Lawrence says. “People might wonder if a hybrid online program can be engaging and rigorous, I can assure you that the program at Syracuse Law is both. I know that my experiences during the program and attaining a law degree will help me in ways that would not otherwise have been possible.”