Dr. Lawton was born and grew up in the New York City area. He attended the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he earned a degree in Natural Sciences.

His medical training took place at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. Dr. Lawton earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1976. He then completed an internship and residency in Anatomic Pathology and Neuropathology followed by a residency in Ophthalmology that ended in 1983. He has trained in Neuro-Ophthalmology at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

Dr. Lawton is board certified in ophthalmology by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He specializes in Neuro-ophthalmology and will perform general eye examinations upon request.

Dr. Lawton and his wife, Jo, live in Little Rock and have a son, Nicholas, and a daughter, Elizabeth. Both are currently in college.

Dr. Lawton has served on the faculties of the Tulane University School of Medicine and the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans as a Neuro-ophthalmologist. He was elected recently to represent the State of Arkansas as Councilor to the Southern Medical Association.