Mr. Lawler serves as a national security consultant and is the Senior Partner at MDO Group, which provides HUMINT training focused on WMD, CI, technical and cyber issues.   He is a noted speaker on the topic of Insider Threats.

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Mr. Lawler boasts a decorated 25-year CIA career, serving in various international posts and leading the Counterproliferation Division's Special Activities Unit.  Notably, as Chief of one of the highly impactful takedown teams, he received the CIA's Trailblazer Award in 2007 for disrupting one of the most dangerous nuclear weapons networks in history.

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A recipient of multiple intelligence service awards, including the Director's Award and the Donovan Award, Mr. Lawler transitioned to intelligence from practicing law and presiding over a Texas-based steel components company.  Lately, he became a published author.  His novels, "Living Lies" and "In the Twinkling of an Eye," cleared by the CIA's Publication Review Board, delve into espionage tales involving Iranian nuclear weapons and a covert Russian-North Korean genetic bioweapons program, respectively.  Living Lies earned recognition as the 38th best spy novel on Spyscape's list in December 2022.  Currently working on his third novel, "The Traitor’s Tale," exploring treachery within the CIA, Mr. Lawler continues to contribute significantly to the world of intelligence.