Thomas Jefferson School of Law alumnus Lee Vernon, who began practicing law in January 2015, references Thomas Jefferson School of Law's Center...
Lilys McCoy
Adjunct Faculty
J.D., University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law;
B.A., University of California at San Diego, California, Department Honors in Political Science with Distinction
E-mail: lmccoy@tjsl.edu
Lilys D. McCoy is the Director of the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Center for Solo Practitioners and the Director of the Thomas Jefferson School of Law National Trial Team. Ms. McCoy received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at San Diego in June 1987 with Department Honors in Political Science. She graduated from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in May 1991 and was admitted to the California State Bar in December 1991. In 1999, she completed Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming. For 20 years prior to joining Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Ms. McCoy practiced consumer and business litigation, trying both jury trials and bench trials and representing clients in judicial arbitrations, contractual arbitrations, and mediation hearings.
Ms. McCoy has stayed involved in the local and statewide legal community throughout her career. She is currently Vice President of the San Diego County Bar Association Board of Directors and the San Diego Inn of Court. Ms. McCoy served as president of Lawyers Club of San Diego from 2002-2003 and as Chair of the Lawyers Club Judicial Endorsements Committee from 2003-2005. Ms. McCoy served as Co-President of the Tom Homann LGBT Law Association from 2005-2007. In 2009-2010, Ms. McCoy served as the Chair of the California Conference of Bar Associations, presiding over the annual Conference of Delegates in 2010 in Monterey, California.
Ms. McCoy has spoken on consumer protection issues to community and legal organizations including Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego, the Camp Pendleton Legal Assistance Office, and the Southwest Navy Legal Service Office. In 2004 and 2005, Ms. McCoy helped coordinate the consumer law segment for the San Diego Superior Court, North County Division, Youth-Day-in-Court program. She currently volunteers with the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of California CARE Program, which exists to provide education on consumer issues to schools and other community organizations. She was an instructor of Civil Litigation, Evidence Law, and Business Law at the U.C. San Diego Extension Paralegal Program from 2010 to 2012. She was a member of the American Inns of Court (Enright Inn) from 1998 to 1999 and is an instructor for the San Diego Inn of Court Evidence and Trial Workshops (2003 through present). She is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
In 2016, Ms. McCoy received the Adjunct Professor of the Year from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Student Bar Association and in 2015 she received the school’s Lewis & Clark Award for Innovation and Dedication. In 2014, Ms. McCoy received the San Diego County Bar Association Service to the Profession Award. In 2013, she was designated a Woman of Achievement by California Women Lawyers. In 2007, Ms. McCoy received the Belva Lockwood Award from Lawyers Club. Ms. McCoy also received the Tom Homann LGBT Law Association’s 2008 Co-President’s Award. Ms. McCoy was selected as a San Diego Daily Transcript Top Attorney in 2006, 2013, 2014, and 2015 and was selected for San Diego Super Lawyers in 2007 and 2009. Ms. McCoy has an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized as a Top Attorney by San Diego Magazine.
