About Us
Welcome to Lyons & Lyons lawyers.
We don’t bite and are happy to talk to you and provide some free advice or direction with your problem, whether you use our services or not.
Some Family History
I am often asked “why Lyons AND Lyons?”.
Our father John Lyons was a Barrister & Solicitor arrived in Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia with his new bride Dorothea in the Depression of 1933 to find work.
Along came Six (6) children:-Margaret, Denise, Thea, John, James (me), and Timothy.
John, Timothy and I all studied law, notwithstanding our fathers advise to “do medicine and bury your mistakes”, but the law was in our blood.
From 1933 to 1950 (notwithstanding the 5 year intervention of World War ll, during which we lost our home in the Japanese bombing of Darwin) our father defended more than 100 people charged with murder, and not one of those people were executed.
The death penalty was not abolished in the Northern Territory until about 1967.
John William Lyons was a colourful character throughout the whole of the Northern Territory of Australia, and was known as “Tiger Lyons”. As a child I never knew whether this was because of his red hair or that he was ferocious in Court, but to the family he was gentle as a lamb and generous and loving to a fault. The stress and anxiety that a murder trial must have been put on “Tiger Lyons” must have been unimaginable.
One case of dad’s when to the High Court of Australia, and is now one of the cornerstones of Law in relation to Pleas of Insanity.
By the time of his death our father had appeared as the Barrister acted on about 200 murder trials, and I am fairly certain this would be some sort of Guinness Book of Record.
Dad also had time to become the Mayor of Darwin and Member of the Legislative Council. Our grandfather, James Denis Lyons of Bathurst was a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly in the time of Jack Lang and was expelled from the Labour Party.
Mum undertook charitable works for the Aboriginal, St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Schools, the disadvantaged and the Leprosarium amongst others, for which she was awarded the Medal of the British Empire, by Queen Elizabeth on board the Royal Britannia in Darwin Harbour in about 1962.
As our mother approached the Queen to receive her medal, a large gust of wind came up blowing her hat into the waters of Darwin Harbour.
The Queen and my mother quietly walked to the railings of the Britannia to watch the hat sink beneath the waves.
Mum was amused as she had simply stuck her hair into the crown of the hat.
We did assure mum that her gloves were really lovely.
The Family house on the corner of the Esplanade and Knucky Street, is now a Museum known as John Lyons Cottage, and if you ever visit Darwin you will be rewarded with a picture display of the Lyons Family.
The house itself is very interesting and unusual, and I hope you are able to visit it one day.
It is an English Home in a tropical climate and known as B.A.T House which always amuse me. It was the residence built for the Manager of the British and Australian Telegraph, which connected Australia to the rest of the world.
We were teased.
No, Batman did not live there with a family of bats.
Nevertheless we had a wonderful childhood and were all very blessed and spoilt rotten, and I am happy to say not much has changed. Life is good and fun, and as our mother said repeatedly “I am very blessed”
LYONS & LYONS
Both Timothy and James graduated from Sydney Law School in 1970.
There were some interesting characters in our year including Jim Spiegelman ,the Chief Justice of New South Wales and Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales, Chris Murphy the famous criminal Lawyer whose car number plates were “VERBAL”, Senator Helen Coombes and many more.
Lyons Lawyers is a small law firm situated in Bondi Junction and Lane Cove, conveniently located minutes from Sydney’s CBD.
Lyons & Lyons were established more 25 years ago by Timothy and James Lyons.
Some would say Lyons Lawyers is a boutique legal firm, but that sound a little prissy and fancy. At Lyons Lawyers we actually roll up our sleeves and get down and dirty to do the work-it doesn’t happen with “smoke and mirrors”.
James is an accredited Specialist in Personal Injuries.
Without about 80 years legal experience between James and Timothy, there is not much that has not past across our desks.
Generally Lyons Lawyers has been on both sides of every argument and we understand the perspective of both parties, which helps greatly.
Lyons & Lyons Lawyers love the variety of work and the people we come in contact with as a result.
Oddly, we play at work, but work at playing golf, tennis and all our other recreational activities.
Our clients come from all over Sydney, Country NSW and the Central Coast because they know we can offer them a full, professional and effective service.
Lyons & Lyons Lawyers love to work smart and fast and we love the new technological age.
We love email. We love Skype. We love Scanners. We love photocopies that print faster then we can count. We love electronic filing and service of Court document. We love the Legal Resources from Legislation, Regulations, Rules and Judicial decisions from the High Court to the Local Court, from the Northern Territory to New South Wales and so on.
It is immediate and cheap. In addition you can email any time of day or from anywhere in the world, and you don’t have to look your best-you can be in your pyjamas, or in hospital.
You don’t have to make a formal appointment, take a day off work, dress up, spend a fortune on travel and be kept waiting because an earlier client was late for their appointment with Lyons & Lyons Lawyers.
At Lyons & Lyons Lawyers our emphasis is on speed and our clients’ needs.
Lyons & Lyons Lawyers opinion is that there is no right or wrong way to attack a problem. There is no point pontificating about the best approach, which is merely a way of delaying and postponement of the inevitable. Lyons & Lyons Lawyers view is to get the ball rolling, and generally the issues crystallise very quickly, and everyone knows the position of other party, and what has to be done to resolve the matter. If something has been overlooked it can always be amended and added to the claim. Lyons & Lyons Lawyers don’t believe in malingering. The sooner a case is started the sooner it is finished.
Lyons & Lyons Lawyers believe in the German Blitzkrieg philosophy “strike first and move fast”
Often parties are sparring with shadows which do not eventuate.
Lyons & Lyons Lawyers play a wonderful roll:-
- informing their clients of the law; and
- what they see as their clients entitlements;
- what they see as the other parties entitlements;
- acting as a buffer zone between the parties;
- liaising with the other Lawyer;
- trying to narrow the issues of the case to save time and money; and
- trying to bring about a settlement.
Lyons & Lyons Lawyers “Buffer Zone” contribution is terribly important-it keeps the parties apart and lifts the burden from the client’s shoulders, saving months of agony, worry anxiety and sleepless nights. Let Lyons & Lyons Lawyers do the worrying.
Lyons & Lyons Lawyers do not take on work outside our field of expertise, as this would not be in a client’s best interests, but rather Lyons & Lyons Lawyers will refer clients to a firm which has that expertise.
Lyons Lawyers are small enough to provide you with personal, individually tailored assistance yet, with many years of legal experience, our highly skilled team have the professional knowledge and expertise that is often associated with a major city law firmLyons & Lyons Lawyers are known to be extremely successful negotiators who work determinedly to get the best results for you and your family.
Just pick up the telephone and speak to Lyons & Lyons Lawyers and we will point you in the right direction without charge.
Lyons & Lyons Lawyers are pleased to welcome everyone to our offices, however in this new age and technology such as Skype there are alternative means of communication, and ways of avoiding the tyranny of distance and time.
Whether in person or via the technological highway Lyons & Lyons Lawyers friendly and approachable solicitors. Lyons & Lyons Lawyers take the time to examine your case fully, listen to your needs and discuss all the options available to you. Once you approach Lyons & Lyons Lawyers you can be assured that your case will be handled with complete confidentiality.
Nevertheless you must help us and provide information, assistance and support when called upon by Lyons & Lyons Lawyers. The motto of our old school is, “united we stand, divided we fall”. In other words it is a team effort.
Lyons & Lyons Lawyers are responsive, respectful and trustworthy. If your case is stressful or emotionally charged we ensure you are treated with sensitivity and compassion. Our team is responsive, respectful and trustworthy. We act as a buffer zone between you and the other protagonist. The buffer zone is enormously important. We can advise you on your rights and we seek to protect you when you may be unaware of the legal defences or redress available to you. We also maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity at all times.
Lyons & Lyons Lawyers do not waste time — once we have taken on a case we work to achieve the best results as quickly and efficiently as possible. If your matter cannot be resolved out of court, Lyons & Lyons Lawyers will be able to represent you in the relevant court or tribunal.
Lyons & Lyons Lawyers have acted for our clients in the High Court of Australia, Supreme, District and Local Courts, Federal Court, Federal Magistrates, Family Court, and Workers Compensation Commission.
Lyons & Lyons Lawyers will take you through the procedure involved and ensure you understand how your case will be heard and prepare you accordingly. You can feel confident that we will work consistently and tirelessly on your behalf and that our knowledge and experience across these institutions determines that we get the best results for you.
Lyons & Lyons Lawyers are committed to providing you with the best service possible. Lyons Lawyers are passionate about our work and proud of our strong reputation in the industry. Lyons & Lyons Lawyers are open and straight-talking so you know exactly where you stand, yet we are friendly and approachable so you can be comfortable working with us. Lyons & Lyons Lawyers regard each individual with the utmost respect and value each case we take on.
You can be confident that you will be treated with understanding and consideration and Lyons & Lyons Lawyers will work with dedication and commitment to achieve the results you desire.
Lyons & Lyons are members of the Australian Lawyers Alliance, a group of lawyers and other professional who are “dedicated to the protection and promotion of justice, freedom and the rights of the individual”. The Alliance monitors government policies and proposals and campaigns effectively for progressive law reform.
Jim Lyons
Lyons & Lyons
Level 2, 35 Spring Street
Bondi Junction
NSW 2022
P: 8383 3115
F: 9389 5192
E: jwlyons@lyonsandlyons.com.au
Skype: jw.lyons