Tyson M. Lies

BIOGRAPHY

Tyson M. Lies is a partner in the firm’s litigation section. An experienced trial lawyer, Tyson represents companies, executives, and individuals in complex commercial disputes, white-collar defense, and government enforcement matters involving allegations of securities fraud and FCPA violations.

A versatile advocate, Tyson has handled cases ranging from massive corporate internal investigations to personal injury and wrongful death suits. Having handled all stages of litigation, he focuses on building straightforward, practical strategies tailored to each client’s business goals.

Before joining Kelly Hart, Tyson worked in public service at both the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Department of Justice. Most recently, he was a trial attorney in the SEC’s Fort Worth Regional Office, where he investigated and prosecuted securities fraud and investment misconduct. In that role, he pursued litigation against individuals and entities for violating the federal securities laws, obtaining favorable judgments in a variety of high-profile matters. Before his time at the SEC, Tyson was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, representing federal agencies and officials in statutory, tort, and constitutional matters. Prior to his time in public service, Tyson worked in the Securities Litigation and SEC Enforcement department of a large international law firm, where he represented officers and companies in response to government enforcement actions and investigations.

Tyson began his legal career as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Jane J. Boyle of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

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EXPERIENCE AND HIGHLIGHTS

• SEC Enforcement and Securities Litigation
  • SEC v. Agridime, LLC: Litigated enforcement action against company and two founders involving a fraudulent cattle investment scheme
  • SEC v. Ismael Sanchez et. al.: Litigated and tried enforcement action against operators of crypto-related Ponzi scheme
  • Litigated and investigated numerous other federal enforcement actions and secured favorable judgments, including multiple judgments ordering millions of dollars in disgorgement and penalties
• Executive & Corporate Defense:
  • Represented a national hospice provider and its executive team in a private securities class action
  • Defended a former public company executive in a private securities class action and in a parallel SEC investigation and enforcement proceeding
  • Represented public company during SEC investigation regarding disclosures addressing amended financial statements
  • Represented public official during an SEC investigation into alleged misstatements regarding a technology company’s stock offering
  • Assisted financial entity during examination by SEC staff 
• Commercial & Civil Litigation
  • Won summary judgment in a quiet title lawsuit involving access roads crossing federally managed lands
  • Secured the dismissal of tort and Bivens claims brought against federal officials arising from a self-determination contract audit
  • Obtained summary judgment denying claims that former employee had violated terms of non-compete agreement
  • Litigated and obtained trial verdict in case alleging commercial fraud and breaches of warranty against manufacturer
• Internal Investigations:
  • Conducted an internal investigation of an acquisition target company following allegations of False Claims Act violations
  • Conducted internal investigation of large international company regarding allegations of workplace discrimination and misappropriation of company assets

AFFILIATIONS

• State Bar of Texas
• Tarrant County Bar Association, Member

HONORS

• Civil Advocate of Year, District of Montana, 2019

EDUCATION

• The University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors, 2013
  • Texas Law Review, Research Editor
  • Texas Law Review, Outstanding Editor of the Year Award, 2013
  • J. Reuben Clark Society, President
  • Townes Hall Scholar, 2010-2012
• Judicial Clerkship: Hon. Jane J. Boyle, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
• Brigham Young University, B.A., summa cum laude, 2010
  • Brigham Young Scholarship, 2004-2008
  • Edwin S. Hinckley Scholar, 2009-2010

ADMISSIONS

• State Bar of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, District of Montana