Ellen Koehler Lyons

Ellen Lyons focuses her practice on accountants’ liability, banking and lending, consumer finance matters, representing online businesses, and consulting regarding offers of judgment. She has particular experience with offers of judgment/proposals for settlement made under Florida or federal law.

Ellen has tried breach of contract, negligence, unfair and deceptive trade practices, trade secret, embezzlement, and fraud cases. She has arbitrated rescission, breach of contract, and fraud cases. She litigates cases involving regulations such as the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, GAAS, GAAP, and banking laws including FDCPA, TCPA, UDAAP, FCRA, TILA, and RESPA. She recently litigated extensive issues regarding Regulation X of RESPA. Ellen has also handled hedge fund litigation and securities matters.

She has more than two decades of experience helping businesses achieve their goals. Her efforts range from proactive needs assessment to strategic litigation. Ellen handles matters from inception to resolution, and efficiently manages teams in large, bet-the-company cases.

Ellen recently represented an online company facing a manufacturer’s Lanham Act claim. The client’s counterclaim for tortious interference with advantageous business relationships resulted in discovery to substantiate the client’s claim, and a negotiated deal that reinstated the client’s ability to sell genuine manufactured goods with favored status and pricing.

She has written numerous articles on offers of judgment, proposals for settlement, and banking regulations and practices. As general counsel of The Alpha House in Tampa, a safe home for homeless pregnant women and mothers with young children, Ellen works closely with the board to achieve fast, cost-efficient results.

Education:

• University of Florida College of Law (J.D., with honors, 1995)
• University of Wales (MBA, 1992)
• University of Florida (B.A., 1991)

Professional & Community Involvement:

• Alpha House of Tampa, General Counsel
• University of Tampa
  • Board of Trustees (2006-2007)
  • Board of Counselors, Chairman (2006-2007)
  • Board of Trustees Educational Affairs Committee (2001-2008)
• Tampa Museum of Science and Industry
  • MOSI CIRQLE Council
• United Way of Tampa Bay
  • Keel Club
  • UW Women’s Leadership
• American Bar Association
• The Florida Bar
  • ​Thirteenth Circuit Grievance Committee (2003-2006)
• Leadership Tampa Class (2006)