One look at today’s most successful businesses and organizations, and it is easy to see what they have in common: access and networks that allow them to connect with markets and people that promote growth and opportunities.

Over the course of Lyall’s career, he has been a leader in British Columbia’s business, government, advanced education and philanthropic communities, and he has built a broad legal practice alongside strong relationships with other such leaders. As a result, Lyall uniquely provides our clients with the access and resources they need to succeed.

Today, the clients that Lyall works with are among the very best in their fields, including banking, real estate, retail, transportation, public companies, charities, construction, post-secondary education, public infrastructure, and technology, as well as family and private businesses with a range of interests here at home and around the world.

With his robust personal and business network, Lyall leads our clients to compete in British Columbia’s corporate community by connecting them with opportunities and legal solutions.

Services
Business structuring Share and asset purchase and sale transactions
Debt and equity financing Shareholder, partnership, owner, joint venture and other strategic alliance agreements
Estate Planning and Estate Administration Charities and Not-For-Profit Organizations
Business succession, including management and employee buyouts Private equity investments
Corporate governance, including disputes and director liability issues General contracts, including purchase and sale, supply, distribution, licensing, leasing and manufacturing agreements

Quite simply, Lyall is someone whom clients can call on to connect law, industry, government and people in order to drive their business. As a result, his clients count on him as a trusted advisor and advocate for their interests.

As a King’s Counsel and recipient of both the Commonwealth Medal for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Lyall recognizes that his profession and practice provide him with numerous public service opportunities that allow him to put the strength of his business and personal connections to work for the community and country.

For more than 30 years, Lyall has worked on behalf of such prominent organizations as the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Airport Authority, Rick Hansen Foundation, Canadian Armed Forces, Salvation Army, Expo 86, Royal Roads University, Vancouver Port Corporation and the International Joint Commission. He also serves as the Honourary Consul General for Tunisia.

Lyall’s practice lends itself to contributing to Vancouver and Canada’s business and greater communities. He provides clients and community members with in-depth knowledge of finance, law and business to help them succeed in an ever-changing, and sometimes challenging, world.

Awards & Distinctions
  • Commonwealth Medal for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, 2012
  • Medal of Merit for outstanding citizenship, the highest award given by Lions International to a non-Lion, 2003
  • Appointed to the Rank of King's Counsel, Canada, 1985
  • Rick Hansen Foundation - "Lyall Knott BC Neurotrauma Professorship Endowment"
  • Commonwealth Medal for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, 2002
  • Canadian Commissioner, International Joint Commission, 2009 to 2013
  • Inaugural Fellow of Royal Roads University, 2009
  • Honourary Captain (N), Canadian Fleet Pacific, Royal Canadian Navy, 2008 to 2014
  • Blythe Eagles Service Award, UBC Alumni Association, in recognition of contributions to the Alumni Association, 2000
  • Honourary Consul for the Republic of Tunisia in British Columbia, 1993
  • Honourary Member, HMCS BYTOWN
  • Honourary Member, The Naval Officers Association of British Columbia
  • Honourary Consul General for the Republic of Tunisia and Member, Consular Corps of British Columbia, 1993
*Lyall D. Knott Law Corporation
Download PDF
Awards & Distinctions
  • Commonwealth Medal for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, 2012
  • Medal of Merit for outstanding citizenship, the highest award given by Lions International to a non-Lion, 2003
  • Appointed to the rank of King's Counsel, Canada, 1985
  • Commonwealth Medal for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, 2002
  • Rick Hansen Foundation - "Lyall Knott BC Neurotrauma Professorship Endowment"
  • British Columbia Provincial Chair, Canadian Forces Liaison Council, 2014 to 2017
  • Canadian Commissioner, International Joint Commission, 2009 to 2013
  • Inaugural Fellow of Royal Roads University, 2009
  • Honourary Captain (N), Canadian Fleet Pacific, Royal Canadian Navy, 2008 to 2014
  • Blythe Eagles Service Award, UBC Alumni Association, in recognition of contributions to the Alumni Association, 2000
  • Honourary Consul General for the Republic of Tunisia in British Columbia, 1993
  • Consular Corps of British Columbia
  • Honourary Member, HMCS BYTOWN
  • Honourary Member, The Naval Officers Association of British Columbia
  • Honourary Consul General for the Republic of Tunisia and Member, Consular Corps of British Columbia, 1993
Industry Involvement
  • Board of Directors, Northern Orion Explorations Ltd.
  • Board of Directors, Blueprint – The Men’s Initiative
  • Chair, Board of Directors, UBC Foundation
  • Board of Directors, Expo 86 Corporation, 1984 to 1987
  • Board of Directors, Orca Bay Basketball Management Inc. and Orca Bay Basketball Services Corp. (the Vancouver Grizzlies), 1995 to 2001
  • Board of Directors, The Sullivan Urology Foundation, 2016
  • Board of Directors, Miramar Mining Corporation, 1983 to 2002
  • Board of Directors, Vancouver Port Corporation, 1992 to 1996
  • Chair, Board of Directors, Canada Place Corporation, 1992 to 1994
  • Vice-Chair Energy Policy Institute of Canada, 2012 to 2014
  • VP Communications and Community Partnership Advisory Committee (UBC), 2013 to 2014
  • Member, Advisory Board, Vancouver Canucks
  • Canadian Association of University Solicitors
  • Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships
  • Wesbrook Council, UBC
  • National Association of College and University Attorneys
  • Law Society of British Columbia
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Vancouver Bar Association
Community Commitments
  • Advisory Council Member, Science World
  • Selection Committee, UBC Alumni Awards
  • Member, Campaign Cabinet, Ronald McDonald House
  • Board of Directors, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
  • Member, Judging Panel, YMCA Women of Distinction Awards Program
  • Board of Directors, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., 2007 - 2011 / Board Secretary 2007 - 2008
  • Board of Directors (Director and Corporate Secretary), Vancouver International Airport Authority, 1988 to 1994
  • Board of Governors, The University of British Columbia Foundation, 2002 to 2008 / Chair 2005 - 2008
  • Board of Directors, 2007 - present, Rick Hansen Foundation / Immediate past chair 2007
  • British Columbia Provincial Chair, 2014 - 2017, Canadian Forces Liaison Council / Board of Directors, 2009
  • Governor, Board of Directors, C.H.I.L.D. Foundation
  • Founding Director, Abbotsford Air Show Canada
  • The Vancouver Board of Trade
  • Chair, Friends of HMCS Vancouver, 1999
  • Former member, Stamp Advisory Committee, Canada Post Corporation
  • The Vancouver Club
  • The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club
  • Sir John A. MacDonald Society
  • Thunderbird Council, UBC
  • President's Strategic Advisory Council, UBC, 2009 to 2013
  • Member, The Salvation Army Greater Vancouver Advisory Board, 2002
  • Member, Judging Panel for 2001 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards Program, 2001
  • Honourary Patron, Timmy's Christmas Telethon, 1995
  • Member, Steering Committee, Vancouver Public Library Capital Fund, 1994 to 1995
  • Member, The National Cabinet, The Banff Centre
Education & Call to Bar
  • Call to Bar: British Columbia: 1974
  • Master of Laws, The University of London, England, 1973
  • Bachelor of Laws, The University of British Columbia, 1972
  • Bachelor of Commerce, The University of British Columbia, 1971