If Mr. Lawler, appeals the case as his attorney threatened to do, there is the possiblity that he would win on appeal.
Mr. Lawler just lost his case in the lower court (District Court), that doesn't necessarily mean that he will lose at the next level (Courts of Appeal). The main problem I foresee is, if Mr. Lawler without assistance from the ACLU (ironic isn't it), will have sufficient funds to pay the legal bills to pursue the case.
If he wins, all is well, since loser pays for all court costs on appeals in Federal court.