In 1962, Lawler became the first Liberal to be elected to Birmingham City Council for nearly 30 years when he won the Newtown Ward. He was re-elected in 1965 not only holding his seat but increasing his majority fourfold. This was despite the fact that Labour worked hard to unseat him and had assigned one of the party's most experienced agents to work to secure his defeat. He retained his Newtown seat again in 1968, and between 1968–1972 he led the Liberal Party's small group on the Council. In 1971, he was created an Alderman, a position he held until he died the following year.