“When we put positive energy out into the world, that energy returns to us exponentially,” says Terry Lyons.
The founder of the law firm Lyons & Associates, whose defining distinction is having a dual degree in law and social work, looks at life through a lens of helping others. “Our firm believes strongly that we have a duty to give back and do many charitable endeavors,” she says.
The firm, which has offices in Morristown, Somerville and Freehold Township, has grown so much that its Morristown office recently doubled—and the firm christened the new Morristown space by hosting a packing event for Operation Shoebox, a Hillsborough-based organization that ships care packages of food and toiletries to U.S. military personnel at 800 bases in 70 countries.
“Operation Shoebox has local roots and a global impact,” Lyons says. “Local business partners, vendors, friends and neighbors all contributed to help us pack 25 cases with four boxes each—enough goodies for 100 troops. We were able to make a financial donation as well.”
Such work is part of the corporate culture that Lyons has instilled at the firm. “We do this on a regular basis,” she says. “It’s who we are; it’s in our blood.”
Lyons—who was named one of the “Top 10 Best Female Attorneys” by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys and whose firm was declared the No. 2 best place to work in New Jersey by NJBIZ—approaches giving back to the community with the same energy and dedication as she devotes to her practice, staff and clients. “We jump when opportunities present themselves to help others,” she says.
And Lyons actively seeks those opportunities. For example, on the first Mother’s Day after the start of the pandemic, her staff hand-delivered individually wrapped roses to mothers who were working on the frontline as first responders or medical providers at Morristown Medical Center and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital–Somerset.
The firm also has supported Hillsborough Girl Scout Troop #60561, which is designed for girls with special needs. “Along with our business partners, we purchased over 500 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies from the troop, which will help them with the additional resources and accommodations that they require,” Lyons says.
Last year, to recognize Juneteenth and in support of local minority-owned business the firm partnered with the nonprofit Grades4Life, Somerset Community Action Program and Rally Youth Sports on a summer basketball program for area youths. During each week of the six-week program, the partners rewarded participants for their academic and social achievements with food and services supplied by minority-owned businesses, including a bakery, a restaurant and a mobile gaming arcade.
“As entrepreneurs, we always are thinking about how to create commerce out of empty space, so when we receive a call to action, that type of thinking allows us to come together to creatively approach the issue. It’s our secret sauce,” she says. “We’re all in this together. It takes a village to raise a child, but it equally takes a village to sustain the village.”
Learn more about Lyons & Associates and their new location (60 Columbia Rd., Bldg. B, Ste. 150, Morristown) at LyonsPC.com. If you want to help send care packages to troops overseas, visit OpShoeboxNJ.org.
