Location: Dallas – Fort Worth Metropolitan Area
Phone: 877-Ted-Lyon / 877-833-5966 (Toll Free)
972-279-6571 (Local)
Fax: 972-279-3021
Email: Email Me
Ted Lyon was born and raised in Terrell, Texas. His undergraduate degree is in political science that he obtained from East Texas State University (now known as Texas A&M Commerce). Prior to law school, Ted married his high school sweetheart, Donna. While working as a police officer, he put himself through undergraduate school, and then went to Southern Methodist University School of Law. Over the past 44 years, Ted has represented clients in over 150 jury trials.
Ted has over 44 years’ experience representing clients in complex litigation, involving personal injury, wrongful death, products liability, and business disputes. He has received verdicts which were ranked in the top ten in the nation on three occasions. He has been interviewed and featured by national and local media outlets, including Good Morning America, 60 Minutes II, NBC Dateline, Texas Lawyer, Dallas Observer, The National Law Journal, D Magazine, and Texas Monthly. Ted handles complex litigation. Ted has repeatedly (2003 through 2020) been named to the Super Lawyer List by Thomson Reuters, and was named one of the top 100 Lawyers in America by American Trial Lawyers Association consecutively since 2007.
Areas of Practice
- Products Liability
- Wrongful Death
- Personal Injury — Plaintiff
- Catastrophic Injury
- Business Dispute
Litigation Percentage
- 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1976
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1976
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 1984
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1993
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1986
- 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
Education
- Southern Methodist University School of Law, Dallas, Texas
- J.D. – 1975
- East Texas University
- B.S. – 1972
- Major: Political Science
Certifications, Honors and Awards
- Dallas Trial Lawyers Association – Legal Legend, 2019
- Lifetime Achievement Award for Wildlife Conservation, Montana Sportsman for Fish & Wildlife, 2019
- American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, 10 Best 2018
- Outstanding Service on the Texas A&M University- Commerce Presidential Search Advisory Committee, 2018
- The National Trial Lawyers, 2017 Top 100 Civil Plaintiff
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers 2013-2018
- Featured in D CEO Magazine, The 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth, 2016
- Lifetime Achievement, America’s Top 100 Attorneys, 2016
- Trial Legends of the Bar Recipient, Dallas Bar Association, 2016
- Top Rated Lawyers, Texas Legal Leaders, 2015
- Wildlife Recovery Award by Montana Sportsmen For Fish and Wildlife, 2014
- Teddy Roosevelt Conservationist of the Year, 2012 by Big Game Forever
- Texas Super Lawyers 2003-2020
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated (highest), 1986 – 2020
- Leaders in Law, D Magazine, August 2017
- Texas Lawyer, Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame, Dawson V. Flour Intercontinental, 2012
- Texas Lawyer, Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame, Reedy V. Greyhound Lines International, 2011
- Texas Bar Foundation Fellow, 2010
- Top 10 Jury Verdicts, 2008, 1999, and 1987 by National Law Journal
- John Howie Award, 2008 by The Dallas Trial Lawyers Association (for Courageous Pursuit of Justice)
- The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, 1998-2018
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America, 2007 – 2018 by The American Trial Lawyers Association
- Top Attorneys In Texas Monthly Magazine’s Lawyers Section, 2010
- Top 10 Best Litigators in Dallas, Texas by D Magazine 2001
- Best Lawyers in Dallas (by Specialty), 2001 by D Magazine
- Champions of Justice 2000
- Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Recipient: Lifetime Service Award, Texas Municipal Police Association, 1992
- C.A.A.R.E. Action Award, 1992 by Citizens Advocating Addiction Recovery Education
- Vision and Courage Award, 1992 New Vision Treatment Program (for passing legislation to establish the state’s first prison drug treatment program)
- Legislative Crime Fighter of the Year, Greater Dallas Crime Commission, 1991
- Legislative Honor Roll Award, Texas District and County Attorneys Association, 1991
- Legislator of the Year, Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, 1991
- People’s Choice Award, Texas Association of Home Health Agencies, 1991
- Legislative Award, Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, 1991
- Legislative Award, Greater Austin Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 1991
- Legislative Award, Texas Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, 1991
- Legislative Excellence Award, Texas Black Bass Unlimited, 1989
- Legislative White Hat Award, Texas Farmers Union, 1989
- Legislator of the Year, Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, 1987
- Sportsman of the Year, 1987 by Smith County Ducks Unlimited
- Distinguish Service Award, 1986 Vocational Agricultural Teachers Associates of Texas
- Senator of the Year, Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, 1985
- Legislative Conservationist of the Year, Sportsmen’s Clubs of Texas, 1985
- Conservation Legislator of the Year, Texas Outdoor Writers Association, 1985
- Legislative Service Award, Sierra Club, 1985
- Outstanding Accomplishments in Texas Legislature, Texas Catholic Conference, 1985
- Rookie of the Year and All-Star Senate, 1983 by Texas Observer Magazine
- One of Four Best Legislators, Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, 1983
- Legislator of the Year, Common Cause of Texas, 1981
- One of Two Outstanding Legislators, Dallas County Sheriff’s Association, 1981
- One of Ten Best Legislators, Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, 1981
- All-Star Legislator, I’D” Magazine, 1981
- Outstanding Freshman Legislator, Texas House of Representatives, 1979
- One of Texas’ Five Outstanding Young Men, 1979 by Texas Jaycees
- One of Four Best Legislators, Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, 1979
- One of Two Outstanding Legislators, 1979 by Dallas County Sheriff’s Association
- One of Five Top Voting Records on Consumer Issues in the Texas House of Representatives, 1979 by Texas Observer Magazine
- One of Four Best Legislators, Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, 1979
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Board of Directors, and past President in 2005
- Mesquite Bar Association, Treasurer, 1977; Secretary 1979; Vice President 1979; President 1980
- Southern Trial Lawyers Association, Founding Member, and Director
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Member since 1997
- American Association for Justice, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Member
- Dallas Bar Association, Member
- Dallas Bar Foundation, Member
- Rockwall County Bar, Charter Member 2014
- Litigation Counsel of America, Member
- Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America, Member
Elective Offices:
- Texas State Senate, 1983 – 1993
- Texas House of Representatives, 1979 – 1983
- Committee Involvement, 1979 – 1993:
- Texas Punishment Standards Commission Committee, Co Chairman
- Criminal Justice Committee Texas Senate, Chairman
- Task Force – State and Local Drug Control, Chairman
- Health and Human Services, Member
- State Affairs, Member
Special Appointment:
In 2010, in the wake of a growing scandal among public officials in Dallas County, the Dallas County District Attorney was forced to recuse himself and his office from the investigation. Ted was appointed Special Prosecutor for the State of Texas. He has served as District Attorney Pro Tem for Dallas County, where he obtained and and prosecuted felony indictments against several Dallas County officials, including a sitting Constable, two Deputy Constables, and a former elected Dallas County Constable.
* Super Lawyers is an attorney rating service by Thomson Reuters
