Tyler Lemons has joined the national law firm Baker Donelson's Raleigh, North Carolina, office as of counsel. Mr. Lemons brings significant experience in federal criminal prosecution, complex investigations, and interagency enforcement matters.
Mr. Lemons is a former federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of North Carolina, where he also served as Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney – the office's third-highest leadership position. In that role, he coordinated with Department of Justice leadership, worked closely with federal and state law enforcement agencies, and oversaw major enforcement matters involving health care, cybercrime, public corruption, and national security.
Before his appointment as Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney, Mr. Lemons prosecuted organized crime cases, with a focus on long-term, multiagency investigations spanning jurisdictions across the United States and abroad. He served as lead counsel from grand jury proceedings through jury verdicts, and his work was recognized with the Atlanta Division High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) 2025 Investigation of the Year Award and the Eastern District of North Carolina Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) 2024 Operation of the Year Award.
"We're excited to be able to add Tyler to our growing team," said Matthew S. Chester, chair of Baker Donelson's Government Enforcement and Investigations Group. "Like many members of our government enforcement team, Tyler's work for the government, including his work as a former federal prosecutor, will be a valuable resource for our clients and colleagues."
Mr. Lemons earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law and his B.A. in political science from Davidson College. His legal career is informed by six years of active-duty service in the United States Marine Corps, followed by continued service as a Marine Corps Reservist. He currently serves as the reserve Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the 2d Marine Division, advising senior military leadership on investigations, ethics, military justice, and operational law. His active military service includes a deployment to Helmand Province from 2019 to 2020.
Mr. Lemons is the latest attorney to join Baker Donelson's growing Raleigh office, which has recently welcomed former U.S. Attorney Robert J. "Bobby" Higdon Jr., former Assistant U.S. Attorney John David "J.D." Koesters, former in-house counsel to the North Carolina Utilities Commission Warren Hicks, health regulatory and transactions attorney Toni Peck, and investment management attorney Kiki Scarff. Launched in 2021 with six attorneys, the office has grown to more than 20 attorneys whose practices encompass health care, financial services, energy, commercial real estate, government enforcement and investigations, mergers and acquisitions, labor and employment, commercial and construction litigation, and general corporate advice and counsel.
"Tyler's arrival builds on the strong momentum we have established in Raleigh with a growing group of attorneys serving clients across a range of practices," said Matthew W. Wolfe, office managing shareholder for Baker Donelson's Raleigh office. "As the office continues to grow, this depth of experience enhances our ability to advise clients facing complex regulatory, investigative, and business challenges throughout the Carolinas and beyond."