Atty. Richard Lawson

Atty. Richard Lawson

DUI Attorney Richard S. Lawson is dedicated to his clients.

Atlanta Atlanta 31 yrs experience 31 year
Call (470) 968-8739 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Richard Lawson at a glance

Richard Lawson is a Managing Partner based in Atlanta, Georgia, practicing at Lawson & Berry. They have 31+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1995. Their practice focuses on dui/dwi, criminal defense, and cannabis. Admitted to practice in Georgia (1995). Educated at Emory University School of Law (J.D., 1995). Serands clients in Atlanta, GA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • DUI Attorney Richard S. Lawson is dedicated to his clients
  • Lawson & Berry is Georgia's premier DUI defense and criminal practice and is solely focused on the defense of drivers in DUI case and in criminal cases
  • Mr. Lawson is not a “general practitioner.” He has devoted his career to defending those wrongly accused of DUI and to ensuring that even in cases where people are guilty of DUI, they are treated fairly
  • For over 25 years, Attorney Lawson has successfully resolved over 5000 cases and has been lead counsel at jury trials and motions of hundreds of Georgia DUI cases
  • Additionally, he has successfully resolved hundreds of DUI charges with dismissals, reductions to reckless driving and reductions to lesser offenses
  • In his practice he has helped more than 5000 Georgians keep their driver's licenses and privileges to drive despite the DUI or traffic charges they were facing
  • Richard Lawson began his career as a DUI prosecutor
  • After receiving his law degree from Emory University's School of Law where he was an award-winning mock trial student attorney, he was selected as an Assistant District Attorney where he prosecuted DUI cases for the State of Georgia
  • He was trained as a DUI prosecutor by instructors using the same methods used today to teach DUI prosecutors and judges
  • With this knowledge and training, Richard Lawson left the prosecutor's office and opened his DUI defense practice
  • Richard Lawson has handled cases throughout Georgia and has developed a reputation as a skilled trial attorney and negotiator
  • He is licensed to practice in all trial courts in the Atlanta metropolitan area and North Georgia
  • See some of his impressive recent results by clicking here
  • Richard Lawson is an instructor at the Institute for Continuing Legal Education where he has trained other DUI attorneys on winning a DUI case and getting clients the best possible results
  • He has spoken on a variety of DUI topics at legal seminars including cross-examination techniques in DUI trials and how to do a thorough investigation in a DUI case
  • Mr. Lawson has also completed in-depth coursework on field sobriety evaluations and DUI detection
  • He has been certified as a DUI standardized field sobriety testing instructor since the year 2000
  • This qualification allows Mr. Lawson to teach police officers how to conduct field sobriety evaluations on those suspected of DUI
  • As a DUI defense specialist, Mr. Lawson has spent the past 18 years mastering the intricacies of Georgia DUI law and keeping up-to-date with all the latest defense techniques
  • Mr. Lawson has published numerous works regarding DUI defense including “Investigations in DUI Cases” at the Georgia Association of Private Investigators in 2007, “Opening Statement and Voir Dire” in the Defense of Drinking Driver's Institute in 2006, "It's Only a DUI" in the Defense of Drinking Drivers Institute in 2004 and “Legal Ethics” in the Defense of Drinking Drivers Institute in 2002
  • In 2000, he taught a seminar on cross-examination techniques to the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • In 2012 he published a chapter on DUI Drugs and Prescription Drug DUI in the publication Navigating DUI Drug Cases
  • Richard S. Lawson effectively defends clients in their DUI cases including felony DUI prosecutions for repeat offenders, habitual violators, serious accident and injury by vehicle DUIs, hit and run offenses, fleeing and eluding, obstruction of law enforcement, DUI – drug cases, DUI child endangerment cases, marijuana and drug cases, prescription drug DUI cases, underage consumption, minor in possession, and furnishing alcohol to minors cases, as well as BUI (boating under the influence), violations of probation and vehicular homicide
  • Additionally, Mr. Lawson represents individuals in the Georgia Department of Driver Services license suspension hearings that are the precursor to nearly all DUI cases
  • Mr. Lawson's efforts have led to thousands of his clients keeping their Georgia license during the pendency of their DUI case as well as after their cases are resolved
  • If you want to get the best results in your upcoming DUI case, call Richard S. Lawson today for a case consultation
  • While his office is committed to results, it is also committed to customer service
  • Mr. Lawson keeps his clients up-to-date on the developments of their case and maintains a 24 hour line so his clients can reach him in the evenings and on weekends to discuss their case and ask questions
  • It is important to remember an arrest for DUI does not mean that you are guilty

Practice Areas Explained

Richard Lawson's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Richard Lawson handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

DUI / DWI Defense

Find experienced DUI and DWI defense attorneys near you. Compare verified profiles, read client reviews, and consult about your case for free.

Richard Lawson is one of 29,976 dui/dwi attorneys indexed nationally. Browse dui/dwi attorneys in Georgia →

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

Richard Lawson is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Georgia →

Cannabis & Marijuana Law

Cannabis attorneys for business licensing, regulatory compliance, and marijuana-related legal matters.

Richard Lawson is one of 3,138 cannabis attorneys indexed nationally. Browse cannabis attorneys in Georgia →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Georgia

Practicing law in Georgia. Legal matters in Georgia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Atlanta are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Georgia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Georgia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Georgia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Georgia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Atlanta or all attorneys in Georgia.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Richard Lawson

Where is Richard Lawson's law office located?
Richard Lawson's law practice is located in Atlanta, Georgia. The firm is Lawson & Berry. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Richard Lawson handle?
Richard Lawson focuses on dui/dwi, criminal defense, cannabis. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Georgia.
How long has Richard Lawson practiced law?
Richard Lawson has 31+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1995.
Where did Richard Lawson go to law school?
Richard Lawson earned their education at (J.D., 1995).
How can I contact Richard Lawson for a consultation?
You can contact Richard Lawson directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.

Education

J.D.
Emory University School of Law
- 1995

Bar Admissions

Georgia
Admitted: 1995

Reviews

These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.