John J. Lyons

Retired Partner

John Lyons retired from the partnership in November 2014. A seasoned trial partner, John was former Chair of the Los Angeles Litigation Department. He conducted over 50 trials in both federal and state courts. He has a broad array of expertise in high profile publicized claims and trials defending companies and advising clients on sensitive matters. 

John had numerous cases involving:

  • Disasters
  • Financial crises
  • Alleged corporate improprieties
  • Mass toxic torts
  • Product liability claims
  • Environmental disputes
  • Insurance claims
  • Chemicals and petroleum refining, and products relating thereto

John has defended claims including:

  • Lead defense counsel for PG&E for all claims arising out of San Bruno pipeline explosion
  • National counsel for all MTBE claims against a large integrated refiner
  • National counsel for defense of state claims regarding alleged insurance double dipping on remediation claims
  • 17,000 plaintiffs relating to two refinery accidents resulting in air emissions of allegedly toxic chemicals
  • More than two dozen individual cases of personal injury arising out of industrial accidents or alleged exposure to toxic chemicals, including benzene, sulfur, hydrogen sulfide and other chemicals

Education

  • JD, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, 1976
  • BA, Dartmouth College, 1973