Is there way to move text that is using automatic numbering and preserve original numbering?

This is a question an attorney posed to me.  I searched on the web and found nothing close.  So, in other words, he sent me a doc numbered like this:

1.  blah blah blah
    a.  blah
2.  some more text
    a.  more text
    b.  here's some more

This is what I asked him:

Kevin, let me make sure I’m clear on what you’re asking:  you don’t want the automatic numbering to update when moving the topics around?  For example, when I move item #1 – “1.  The corporate structure of YPG and its related entities” to where #2 is, “The corporate structure of YPG…” will become the new #2.
 
You don’t want that to happen?

He answered: "correct".

Is this possible?  Let me know if you can answer this question w/o seeing the doc in question.  Thank you, Experts.