He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge in 1562 and at Gray's Inn in 1564.
[1] In 1591 the Earl of Northumberland made him Lieutenant of the Honour of Cockermouth (Grand Steward of all his estates) and the Conveyor of the Commissioners of the Marches.
He was knighted in 1604 and in 1605 was appointed convener to the royal commission set up to govern the borders.
Lawson married as his second wife in 1572, Maud (Matilda) Redmain, previously widow of Christopher Irton who died before 1567 and of Thomas Leigh of Isel, to whom she was heiress of his estates.
This was challenged by Mary Irton, heir of Maud Redmain.