Patrick Colin Lawless is an Australian diplomat and senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

[6] Lawless speaks Portuguese and graduated from the University of New South Wales and London School of Economics.

[10] Prior to his appointment as Ambassador to Poland he served as the head of the Trade Development Branch and Trade and Economic Analysis Branch, the Deputy Head of Mission in South Africa and Russia and a diplomatic posting in France[8] Lawless was announced as the Ambassador to Portugal with non-resident accreditation to Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Sao Tome and Principe on 24 August 2009 by Minister Stephen Smith, he replaced Luke Williams.

[14][15] Lawless was appointed the Ambassador to Brazil on 12 February 2014 by Minister Julie Bishop replacing Brett Hackett.

[17] In January 2016, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced that Lawless would be replaced by John Richardson in February.