Located in the northern part of the county, it borders the following townships: Two villages are located in Lawrence Township: Bolivar in the north, and Zoar in the east.

The census-designated place of Wilkshire Hills occupies the northeast corner of the township, between Bolivar and Zoar.

The first white settlement in Lawrence Township was Lawrenceville, founded by Abraham Mosser in 1805 opposite Bolivar on the Tuscarawas River in the area that is now Wilkshire Hills.

The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1.

The current trustees are Donald Ackerman, Matt Ritterbeck, and Michael Haueter, and the fiscal officer is Ann Ackerman.