Shannon Lyons

Partner
shannon@cotriallaw.com

Education: Grinnell College, B.A., 1992, Capital University, J.D., 1995

Practice Areas: Defense Litigation; Felonies; Homicide; Assault and Battery; Vehicular Homicide; Criminal Law; Traffic Violations

Admissions: 1995, Colorado; 1996, U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

Biography:

Shannon Lyons practices all aspects of criminal law, including: Defense Litigation; Felonies; Homicide; Assault and Battery; Vehicular Homicide; Criminal Law and Traffic Violations

In 2001, Mr. Lyons, along with Ms. Liu and a few colleagues founded the law firm. Focusing his client work on criminal defense and civil rights, he handles misdemeanor and felony cases of all degrees. In 2007, the Weld County Bar Association honored Mr. Lyons with the Professionalism in the Law Award.

Prior to the formation of the firm, Mr. Lyons served as Colorado State Public Defender, and handled all levels of cases, from DUI to murder. Mr. Lyons also covered a large jurisdiction, working primarily in Weld, Morgan and Logan Counties. During his time as a Public Defender, Mr. Lyons aggressively represented his clients and took numerous cases to trial. He won many of his cases, including several improbable and difficult cases. Mr. Lyons’ first official post, after working as a Fort Collins intern, was in Pueblo, Colorado. He was later promoted and moved to Greeley, Colorado.

Shannon Lyons was admitted to practice in the State of Colorado in 1995 and to the United States District Court of Colorado in 1996. Mr. Lyons began his legal career through the Lend-A-Lawyer program, working for Colorado Rural Legal Services in Montrose, Colorado. In this capacity, he handled divorces, bankruptcy and eviction cases and, more importantly, learned how to fight for underdog clients.

Mr. Lyons received his law degree from Capital University Law School, Columbus, Ohio. While in law school he was a member of the Law Review. He did his undergraduate work at Grinnell College in Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and also emphasized studies in history, religion and politics. Mr. Lyons played intercollegiate football all four years of college and is a member of the Honor G Society.

Shannon grew up in Fort Collins and graduated from Rocky Mountain High School. While in high school, he played football and baseball.

Among the notable cases Mr. Lyons has handled during his career are:

People v. Barger: A truck driver from Nebraska was charged with two counts of Vehicular Homicide in the deaths of two highway construction workers who were helping to complete a bridge reconstruction project on Highway 14. Mr. Barger was acquitted at trial.

People v. Berny: A young man and his fiancé were traveling from Arizona to Chicago, along with over 200 pounds of marijuana in the back of their SUV. The Colorado State Patrol contacted them on I-76, just outside Sterling, and subsequently discovered the stash of marijuana. Mr. Berny and his fiancé were charged with several felony offenses, including a Special Offender charge, which threatened 8-24 years in prison. After several motions hearings challenging the constitutionality of the police stop and search of the vehicle, the Court granted the motion to suppress evidence. The marijuana evidence was suppressed and the case was dismissed.

People v. Wolf: The district attorney charged a gentleman with felony charges of theft and pawnbroker crimes. Charges against this gentleman were initiated after he had filed a civil suit against a local sheriff, Bob Bollish. The defense filed motions to dismiss the case, alleging the prosecution was retaliatory and vindictive. The Court agreed and dismissed the case due to vindictive prosecution.

People v. Noriega-Perez: A young man was driving on Highway 85 in Greeley, when he became involved in a road rage incident with a couple Iowa tourists in another vehicle. The two vehicles stopped by the side of the road. Both drivers then engaged in a fight and Mr. Noriega-Perez fled in his SUV, running over the other driver and breaking both his legs. The accused was charged with Attempted First Degree Murder and Second Degree Assault. Mr. Noriega-Perez was acquitted of both charges at trial.

City of Greeley v. Klinginsmith: The City charged a local bar owner with violating its new ordinance that banned smoking in all bars and restaurants. The evidence was clear that patrons had been allowed to smoke inside the bar; however, the bar’s owner, Mr. Klinginsmith, was acquitted at trial.

People v. Ensz: A former French professor was charged with Criminal Use of a Noxious Substance after placing a political mailer filled with dog poop at the offices of U.S. Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave. Ms. Ensz confessed to delivering the poop-filled political mailer to the Congresswoman in order to express her displeasure with the Congresswoman’s political positions; nevertheless, she was acquitted at trial.

People v. Chavez: A young man was accused of raping his ex-girlfriend outside her apartment. The prosecution also alleged that he had committed a similar crime against a previous girlfriend. Mr. Chavez was acquitted at trial. In addition, Mr. Lyons became aware of illegal conduct on the part of the lead police investigator, Lt. Gary Kessler. As a result, the lead police investigator was banned from testifying in the case and he was subsequently forced to resign from the police department.