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
  • Best Lawyers® in Canada, Corporate Law, 2025
  • Commonwealth Medal for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, 2022
  • Commonwealth Medal for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, 2012
  • 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
  • Medal of Merit for outstanding citizenship, the highest award given by Lions International to a non-Lion, 2003
  • Rick Hansen Foundation - "Lyall Knott BC Neurotrauma Professorship Endowment"
  • Commonwealth Medal for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, 2002
  • 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
  • King's Counsel, Canada, 1985
*Lyall D. Knott Law Corporation
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Awards & Distinctions
  • Best Lawyers® in Canada, Corporate Law, 2025
  • Commonwealth Medal for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, 2022
  • 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
  • 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
  • Blueprint – The Men’s Initiative, board of directors
  • Canadian Association of University Solicitors
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships
  • Canada Place Corporation, past board of directors and chair, 1992 - 1994
  • Energy Policy Institute of Canada, past vice chair, 2012 - 2014
  • Expo 86 Corporation, past board of directors, 1984 - 1987
  • Law Society of British Columbia, member
  • Miramar Mining Corporation, past board of directors, 1983 - 2002
  • National Association of College and University Attorneys
  • Northern Orion Explorations Ltd., board of directors
  • Orca Bay Basketball Management Inc. and Orca Bay Basketball Services Corp. (the Vancouver Grizzlies), past board of directors, 1995 - 2001
  • The Sullivan Urology Foundation, board of directors, 2016
  • UBC Foundation, board of directors and chair
  • Vancouver Bar Association, member
  • Vancouver Canucks, advisory board member
  • Vancouver Port Corporation, past board of directors, 1992 - 1996
  • University of British Columbia, psat VP communications and community partnership advisory committee, 2013 - 2014
  • University of British Columbia, Wesbrook Council
Community Commitments
  • Canada West Foundation, Board of Directors, 2023 - Present
  • Abbotsford Air Show Canada, founding director
  • The Banff Centre, national cabinet member
  • Canada Post Corporation, Stamp Advisory Committee former member
  • Canadian Forces Liaison Council, British Columbia provincial chair, 2014 - 2017
  • Canadian Forces Liaison Council, board of directors, 2009
  • C.H.I.L.D. Foundation, board of directors governor
  • Friends of HMCS Vancouver, chair, 1999
  • Ronald McDonald House, campaign cabinet member
  • Science World, advisory council member
  • Board of Directors, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., board of directors, 2007 - 2011
  • S.U.C.C.E.S.S., board secretary. 2007 - 2008
  • Rick Hansen Foundation, board of directors, 2007 - Present
  • Rick Hansen Foundation, immediate past chair, 2007
  • The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, member
  • The Salvation Army Greater Vancouver, advisory board member, 2002
  • Sir John A. MacDonald Society, member
  • Timmy's Christmas Telethon, honourary patron, 1995
  • University of British Columbia, alumni awards selection committee member
  • University of British Columbia, president's strategic advisory council, 2009 - 2013
  • University of British Columbia, Thunderbird Council member
  • University of British Columbia Foundation, board of governors, 2002 to 2008 / Chair 2005 - 2008
  • University of British Columbia Foundation, chair, 2005 - 2008
  • Vancouver International Airport Authority, board of directors (director and corporate secretary), 1988 - 1994
  • The Vancouver Board of Trade, member
  • The Vancouver Club, member
  • Vancouver Public Library, Capital Fund steering committee member, 1994 to 1995
  • Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, board of directors
  • YMCA, Women of Distinction Awards program member and judging panel
Education & Call to Bar
  • Call to Bar: British Columbia: 1974
  • The University of London, England, Master of Laws, 1973
  • The University of British Columbia, Bachelor of Laws, 1972
  • The University of British Columbia, Bachelor of Commerce, 1971