Ted Lyon is owner and partner of Loncar Lyon Jenkins. He is a distinguished lawyer who was born in Terrell, Texas. He obtained his undergraduate degree in political science from East Texas State University, now the University of Texas A&M at Commerce. Before attending law school, Ted married his high school sweetheart, Donna. While working as a police officer, he paid his way through undergraduate school. He then attended Southern Methodist University School of Law. Over the past 48 years, he has represented hundreds of clients in jury trials.
He has over 48 years of trial experience representing clients in complex litigation. Ted has obtained verdicts ranked in the top ten in the nation on numerous 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 is a preeminent expert in complex litigation cases and has repeatedly been named a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly. He was named one of the top 100 lawyers in America by American Trial Lawyers Association consecutively since 2007. He recently received a Top “Dallas Lawyer” Honor through D Magazine and America’s Most Honored Lawyers recognition for 2023. He has authored one book, The Real Wolf.
Education:
- Southern Methodist University – Juris Doctorate Degree, 1975
- East Texas State University – Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science, 1972
Elective Offices:
Texas 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
Professional Memberships:
- Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, member and past President in 2005
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association, board of directors
- Mesquite Bar Association, member and past President in 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
- Litigation Counsel of America, member
- Texas Bar Foundation Young Democrats of America, member
- Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America, member
Certifications and Honors:
- Best Lawyer in Dallas 2024 – D Magazine
- America’s Most Honored Lawyers 2023
- The Ted and Donna Lyon Center for Gamebird Research – 2023 at Texas A&M Commerce Dallas Trial Lawyers Association – Legal Legend 2019
- Lifetime Achievement Award for Wildlife Conservation, Montana Sportsman for Fish and Wildlife 2019
- American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, 10 Best 2018
- President Search Committee, Texas A&M University – Commerce 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
- 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 – 2023 by Texas Monthly Magazine
- Martindale Hubbell® AV® Rated (highest), 1986 – 2023
- Texas Bar Foundation Fellow, 2010
- Outstanding Alumni Texas A&M University- Commerce 2009
- Top 10 Jury Verdicts in the Nation, 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, 2002-2006, and 2008-2023
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America, 2007 – 2022 by The American Trial Lawyers Association Best Lawyers in Dallas (by Specialty), 2001 by D Magazine
- Lifetime Service Award, 1992 by Texas Municipal Police Association
- C.A.A.R.E. Action Award, 1992 by Citizens Advocating Addiction Recovery Education
- Vision and Courage Award, 1992 by New Vision Treatment Program (for passing legislation to establish the state’s first in prison drug treatment program)
- Legislative Crime Fighter of the Year, 1991 by Greater Dallas Crime Commission
- Legislative Honor Roll Award, 1991 by Texas District and County Attorneys Association
- Legislator of the Year, 1991 by Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas
- People’s Choice Award, 1991 by Texas Association of Home Health Agencies
- Legislative Award, 1991 by Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
- Legislative Award, 1991 by Greater Austin Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Legislative Award, 1991 by Texas Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
- Legislative Excellence Award, 1989 by Texas Black Bass Unlimited
- Legislative White Hat Award, 1989 by Texas Farmers Union
- Legislator of the Year, 1987 by Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas
- Sportsman of the Year, 1987 by Smith County Ducks Unlimited
- Distinguished Service Award, 1986 by Vocational Agriculture Teachers Associates of Texas
- Senator of the Year, 1985 by Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas
- Legislative Conservationist of the Year, 1985 by Sportsmen’s Clubs of Texas Conservation
- Legislator of the Year, 1985 by Texas Outdoor Writers Association Legislative Service Award, 1985 by Sierra Club
- Outstanding Accomplishments in Texas Legislature, 1985 by Texas Catholic Conference
- Rookie of the Year and All-Star Senate, 1983 by Texas Observer Magazine
- One of Four Best Legislators, 1983 by Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas Legislator of the Year, 1981 by Common Cause of Texas
- One of Two Outstanding Legislators, 1981 by Dallas County Sheriff’s Association
- One of Ten Best Legislators, 1981 by Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas All-Star Legislator, 1981 by D Magazine
- Outstanding Freshman Legislator, 1979 by Texas House of Representatives
- One of Texas’ Five Outstanding Young Men, 1979 by Texas Jaycees
- One of Fourth Best Legislators, 1979 by Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas
- One of Two Outstanding Legislators, 1979 by Dallas County Sheriff’s Association
- One of Top Five Voting Records on Consumer Issues in the Texas House of Representatives, 1979 by Texas Observer Magazine
