Lawain has appraised, managed, sold, and acquired rural properties for clients since 1993. Prior to working as a farm manager, Lawain worked as an intern for Fayette County Soil Conservation Service and as a Crop Scout intern for the Cedar Valley Farm Service. In 1991-1993, he worked as a Crop Specialist for Iowa River Farm Service in Tama County.
Maintaining an active role in professional organizations, Lawain is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and the Iowa Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. In college, he received the Senior Scholastic Award for the highest academic standing in the College of Agriculture Senior Class.
Lawain was raised on a cash grain farm in Northeast Iowa. He is married with four children.