Mr. Lyman was born in Olympia, Washington, in 1944. He earned a Bachelors degree in accounting at the University of Washington in 1967, and after obtaining his Juris Doctorate in 1970 from Willamette University College of Law, began practicing law in Olympia.

Mr. Lyman began his legal career in the Thurston County Prosecutor's Office, practicing in both the civil and criminal divisions. In 1977 he joined the law firm of Owens Davies, P.S., where he practiced in the areas of Business Law, Mortgage and Deed of Trust Foreclosures, Real Estate Contract Forfeitures, General Business, Estate Planning and Probate. He was for many years the managing partner. Mr. Lyman joined Younglove Lyman & Coker in August 2003, and will continue to practice in those fields of law.

Mr. Lyman is a member of the Thurston County Bar Association (President, 1987-1988) and the Washington State Bar Association, and has also served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Olympia. He currently serves as a part-time Municipal Court Judge for the Cities of Tenino and Tumwater.

Mr. Lyman has given numerous lectures and presentations on estate planning, deed of trust foreclosures and real estate contract forfeitures.