Headshot of David Lyons.
Headshot of David Lyons.
Headshot of David Lyons.
Blurry image of a white wall next to an orange wall.  A shelf with small white objects is visible.
Blurry image of a white wall next to an orange wall.  A shelf with small white objects is visible.
Blurry image of a white wall next to an orange wall.  A shelf with small white objects is visible.

David D. Lyons

Partner

David is General Counsel for the firm and leader of the Business Law group in our London office. He advises clients across sectors (including healthcare, automotive, tech, agriculture, and manufacturing) on corporate law, commercial financing, and real estate matters.

Areas of Expertise

  • Acquisition and Sale of Businesses (M&A)

  • Lending and Financing

  • Commercial Leasing

  • Professional Corporations including Medical and Dental Professionals

  • Technology Law

  • Trademarks and Intellectual Property Matters (Trademark Agent)

  • Incorporation, Business Organization and Corporate Reorganization

  • Shareholder Agreements

  • Contracts and Business Agreements

Education

  • Admitted to Ontario Bar (2007)

  • Licensing Process Program, Law Society of Upper Canada (2007)

  • Bachelor of Laws, University of Western Ontario (2006)

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours History & Political Science), Wilfrid Laurier University (2003)

Education

  • Admitted to Ontario Bar (2007)

  • Licensing Process Program, Law Society of Upper Canada (2007)

  • Bachelor of Laws, University of Western Ontario (2006)

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours History & Political Science), Wilfrid Laurier University (2003)

Education

  • Admitted to Ontario Bar (2007)

  • Licensing Process Program, Law Society of Upper Canada (2007)

  • Bachelor of Laws, University of Western Ontario (2006)

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours History & Political Science), Wilfrid Laurier University (2003)

Awards and Recognition

  • Selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada for Corporate Law and Information Technology Law

Awards and Recognition

  • Selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada for Corporate Law and Information Technology Law

Awards and Recognition

  • Selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada for Corporate Law and Information Technology Law

Selected Presentations and Publications

  • "Legal Issues section of the Business of Dentistry Program", presentation to Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University (January 2018)

  • "Protection of Intellectual Property (Part of Employment Law 101)", presentation to TechAlliance Breakfast Club (November 2013)

  • “Commercial Contracts: Tips & Traps”, presentation to TechAlliance Finance Peer-2-Peer Group (May 2, 2013)

  • “Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation: What your business needs to know”, presentation to various groups (2012-2013)

  • “Commercial Leasing: Special rights in a lease that add value”, presentation to Financial Executives International (FEI) London Chapter (March 2012)

  • Article in London Free Press, “Property Security Act changes may require legal advice”, (December 3, 2007)

Selected Presentations and Publications

  • "Legal Issues section of the Business of Dentistry Program", presentation to Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University (January 2018)

  • "Protection of Intellectual Property (Part of Employment Law 101)", presentation to TechAlliance Breakfast Club (November 2013)

  • “Commercial Contracts: Tips & Traps”, presentation to TechAlliance Finance Peer-2-Peer Group (May 2, 2013)

  • “Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation: What your business needs to know”, presentation to various groups (2012-2013)

  • “Commercial Leasing: Special rights in a lease that add value”, presentation to Financial Executives International (FEI) London Chapter (March 2012)

  • Article in London Free Press, “Property Security Act changes may require legal advice”, (December 3, 2007)

Selected Presentations and Publications

  • "Legal Issues section of the Business of Dentistry Program", presentation to Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University (January 2018)

  • "Protection of Intellectual Property (Part of Employment Law 101)", presentation to TechAlliance Breakfast Club (November 2013)

  • “Commercial Contracts: Tips & Traps”, presentation to TechAlliance Finance Peer-2-Peer Group (May 2, 2013)

  • “Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation: What your business needs to know”, presentation to various groups (2012-2013)

  • “Commercial Leasing: Special rights in a lease that add value”, presentation to Financial Executives International (FEI) London Chapter (March 2012)

  • Article in London Free Press, “Property Security Act changes may require legal advice”, (December 3, 2007)

Representative Work

  • Recent transactional experience includes acting in the sale of an industrial supply business to private equity buyer; acting for a local technology start-up in a multi-party private equity financing, working on cross-border financing and sale transactions and many local and regional owner-operated business acquisitions and sales such as the sale of dental practices

  • Industry-specific experience includes dental, optometry and health care sector transactions, technology, automotive, software, agricultural, and various manufacturing

  • Commercial leasing acting for landlords including representing several large office and mixed use landlord clients

  • Commercial financing transactions including automotive dealership financing and acting as preferred lender counsel for several big banks

  • Acted for the owners of a mid-sized Southwestern Ontario machining business in a combined asset and share sale transaction to a private equity buyer.

  • Acted for the owner of a mid-sized Southwestern Ontario industrial supplier acquired by a U.S. buyer.

  • Acted for the lender in a multi-jurisdictional financing of an automotive dealership group.

  • Acted for the owner of a local commercial systems supplier in a sale to a key employee group.

  • Acted for Canadian subsidiary of US company in the automotive industry in the acquisition and divestiture of dealer stores across Ontario.

  • Acted for both buyers and sellers in a significant number of professional practice transactions including dental, optometry and medical.

Representative Work

  • Recent transactional experience includes acting in the sale of an industrial supply business to private equity buyer; acting for a local technology start-up in a multi-party private equity financing, working on cross-border financing and sale transactions and many local and regional owner-operated business acquisitions and sales such as the sale of dental practices

  • Industry-specific experience includes dental, optometry and health care sector transactions, technology, automotive, software, agricultural, and various manufacturing

  • Commercial leasing acting for landlords including representing several large office and mixed use landlord clients

  • Commercial financing transactions including automotive dealership financing and acting as preferred lender counsel for several big banks

  • Acted for the owners of a mid-sized Southwestern Ontario machining business in a combined asset and share sale transaction to a private equity buyer.

  • Acted for the owner of a mid-sized Southwestern Ontario industrial supplier acquired by a U.S. buyer.

  • Acted for the lender in a multi-jurisdictional financing of an automotive dealership group.

  • Acted for the owner of a local commercial systems supplier in a sale to a key employee group.

  • Acted for Canadian subsidiary of US company in the automotive industry in the acquisition and divestiture of dealer stores across Ontario.

  • Acted for both buyers and sellers in a significant number of professional practice transactions including dental, optometry and medical.

Representative Work

  • Recent transactional experience includes acting in the sale of an industrial supply business to private equity buyer; acting for a local technology start-up in a multi-party private equity financing, working on cross-border financing and sale transactions and many local and regional owner-operated business acquisitions and sales such as the sale of dental practices

  • Industry-specific experience includes dental, optometry and health care sector transactions, technology, automotive, software, agricultural, and various manufacturing

  • Commercial leasing acting for landlords including representing several large office and mixed use landlord clients

  • Commercial financing transactions including automotive dealership financing and acting as preferred lender counsel for several big banks

  • Acted for the owners of a mid-sized Southwestern Ontario machining business in a combined asset and share sale transaction to a private equity buyer.

  • Acted for the owner of a mid-sized Southwestern Ontario industrial supplier acquired by a U.S. buyer.

  • Acted for the lender in a multi-jurisdictional financing of an automotive dealership group.

  • Acted for the owner of a local commercial systems supplier in a sale to a key employee group.

  • Acted for Canadian subsidiary of US company in the automotive industry in the acquisition and divestiture of dealer stores across Ontario.

  • Acted for both buyers and sellers in a significant number of professional practice transactions including dental, optometry and medical.

Client Feedback

“David Lyons and his team have assisted our businesses in many ways. The Achievement Centre was stepping through a change in ownership structure that required careful consideration to the valued relationships of the stakeholders, while stepping through some unusually difficult circumstances. David’s skill in understanding the technical legal requirements, combined with his ability to demonstrate empathy for all sides during the negotiations, was key in helping us reach a very successful conclusion. At every step, David and Lerners met their timeline commitments and exceeded their professional commitments. It is for this reason that we have continued to utilize David and Lerners for a wide variety of commercial law needs.”

Marc Lacoursiere, The Achievement Centre

"Just wanted to say thank you for working with us on this deal. Your professionalism and dedication to clients is unparalleled. You have us as lifelong clients."

A dentist client who sold a practice – June 2022

Client Feedback

“David Lyons and his team have assisted our businesses in many ways. The Achievement Centre was stepping through a change in ownership structure that required careful consideration to the valued relationships of the stakeholders, while stepping through some unusually difficult circumstances. David’s skill in understanding the technical legal requirements, combined with his ability to demonstrate empathy for all sides during the negotiations, was key in helping us reach a very successful conclusion. At every step, David and Lerners met their timeline commitments and exceeded their professional commitments. It is for this reason that we have continued to utilize David and Lerners for a wide variety of commercial law needs.”

Marc Lacoursiere, The Achievement Centre

"Just wanted to say thank you for working with us on this deal. Your professionalism and dedication to clients is unparalleled. You have us as lifelong clients."

A dentist client who sold a practice – June 2022

Client Feedback

“David Lyons and his team have assisted our businesses in many ways. The Achievement Centre was stepping through a change in ownership structure that required careful consideration to the valued relationships of the stakeholders, while stepping through some unusually difficult circumstances. David’s skill in understanding the technical legal requirements, combined with his ability to demonstrate empathy for all sides during the negotiations, was key in helping us reach a very successful conclusion. At every step, David and Lerners met their timeline commitments and exceeded their professional commitments. It is for this reason that we have continued to utilize David and Lerners for a wide variety of commercial law needs.”

Marc Lacoursiere, The Achievement Centre

"Just wanted to say thank you for working with us on this deal. Your professionalism and dedication to clients is unparalleled. You have us as lifelong clients."

A dentist client who sold a practice – June 2022

Memberships

  • Director and Treasurer, London Chamber of Commerce

  • Member, Law Society of Ontario, Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association and Middlesex Law Association

  • Member and Firm Liaison, TechAlliance

  • Past Judge, TechAlliance 'Techcellence' Awards

  • Member, International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC Canada)

  • Past Chair, Annual Golf Tournament in support of SARI Therapeutic Riding (2013-2015)

  • Past director and officer, SARI Therapeutic Riding (2007-2012) and long-time supporter

  • Member, London Tax Discussion Group

Memberships

  • Director and Treasurer, London Chamber of Commerce

  • Member, Law Society of Ontario, Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association and Middlesex Law Association

  • Member and Firm Liaison, TechAlliance

  • Past Judge, TechAlliance 'Techcellence' Awards

  • Member, International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC Canada)

  • Past Chair, Annual Golf Tournament in support of SARI Therapeutic Riding (2013-2015)

  • Past director and officer, SARI Therapeutic Riding (2007-2012) and long-time supporter

  • Member, London Tax Discussion Group

Memberships

  • Director and Treasurer, London Chamber of Commerce

  • Member, Law Society of Ontario, Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association and Middlesex Law Association

  • Member and Firm Liaison, TechAlliance

  • Past Judge, TechAlliance 'Techcellence' Awards

  • Member, International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC Canada)

  • Past Chair, Annual Golf Tournament in support of SARI Therapeutic Riding (2013-2015)

  • Past director and officer, SARI Therapeutic Riding (2007-2012) and long-time supporter

  • Member, London Tax Discussion Group

Practical, Straightforward Advice

David is a partner in Lerners London office, leader of the firm’s Business Law practice group and the firm’s General Counsel. With expertise in corporate law and in commercial financing and real estate law, David serves clients in the healthcare, automotive, technology, agricultural, and manufacturing sectors among others. In his own words, David provides “practical, straightforward advice with a focus on the big picture.”

As a significant part of his practice, David works with landlords on commercial leasing matters. He also acts as preferred counsel for several national banks in financing work, with a sub-focus on the automotive industry. David's extensive M&A experience includes deals in the manufacturing, automotive, industrial, and technology sectors including cross-border transactions.

A registered trademark agent and member of TechAlliance, David helps clients protect their intellectual property. David supports a variety of community non-profit and charitable endeavours including as a Director of the London Chamber of Commerce where he serves as an officer, giving him an understanding of issues affecting the broader business community — knowledge that informs his work with clients.

David is a partner in Lerners London office, leader of the firm’s Business Law practice group and the firm’s General Counsel. With expertise in corporate law and in commercial financing and real estate law, David serves clients in the healthcare, automotive, technology, agricultural, and manufacturing sectors among others. In his own words, David provides “practical, straightforward advice with a focus on the big picture.”

As a significant part of his practice, David works with landlords on commercial leasing matters. He also acts as preferred counsel for several national banks in financing work, with a sub-focus on the automotive industry. David's extensive M&A experience includes deals in the manufacturing, automotive, industrial, and technology sectors including cross-border transactions.

A registered trademark agent and member of TechAlliance, David helps clients protect their intellectual property. David supports a variety of community non-profit and charitable endeavours including as a Director of the London Chamber of Commerce where he serves as an officer, giving him an understanding of issues affecting the broader business community — knowledge that informs his work with clients.

David is a partner in Lerners London office, leader of the firm’s Business Law practice group and the firm’s General Counsel. With expertise in corporate law and in commercial financing and real estate law, David serves clients in the healthcare, automotive, technology, agricultural, and manufacturing sectors among others. In his own words, David provides “practical, straightforward advice with a focus on the big picture.”

As a significant part of his practice, David works with landlords on commercial leasing matters. He also acts as preferred counsel for several national banks in financing work, with a sub-focus on the automotive industry. David's extensive M&A experience includes deals in the manufacturing, automotive, industrial, and technology sectors including cross-border transactions.

A registered trademark agent and member of TechAlliance, David helps clients protect their intellectual property. David supports a variety of community non-profit and charitable endeavours including as a Director of the London Chamber of Commerce where he serves as an officer, giving him an understanding of issues affecting the broader business community — knowledge that informs his work with clients.

Reach Out

Everyone at Lerners is committed to ensuring your matters are addressed with the attention and care you expect.

Reach Out

Everyone at Lerners is committed to ensuring your matters are addressed with the attention and care you expect.

Reach Out

Everyone at Lerners is committed to ensuring your matters are addressed with the attention and care you expect.