David Lyman

An icon of the Thailand legal market, David Lyman represents a diverse client base in landmark cases and high-stakes matters. David provides straightforward, practical advice to multinational corporations on foreign direct investment, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and anti-corruption issues. Also known as an innovative thinker, David is widely regarded as the go-to lawyer for cases involving extraordinary facts. From representing foreign journalists accused of defamation to setting a precedent for determining compensation in wrongful death cases to locking horns with the Royal Thai Navy over the rights of maritime treasure hunters to defense work in labor matters and murder, David is first and foremost an advocate.

David’s advocacy extends beyond strictly legal matters to creating a better environment for business and a cleaner environment for future generations. As a present Board Member and a past President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand, David has regularly represented the interests of American and foreign investors in high-level meetings with members of the U.S. and Thai governments. A dedicated conservationist, a former submarine officer with the U.S. Navy, and a certified Divemaster, David was a founder member of the Thailand Business Council for Sustainable Development in 1996 and has served on many committees to advance environmental protection. He and his wife, Thassaneeya, own two elephants and seven dogs.

David is also an advocate on the world stage.  He has held key positions at The World Economic Forum’s Davos Annual Meeting for 18 years, in the International Chamber of Commerce’s Commission on Corporate Responsibility and Anti-Corruption since 1996, and in the International Crisis Group since 2003. He also currently serves on the Board of Governors at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

An avid proponent of good business practices, David is entrusted with maintaining the firm’s high profile and stature in the community as its Chief Values Officer (CVO). Among his duties as CVO, David is responsible for keeping the human side of an organization functioning on the course of honest, wise, responsible, legal, and accountable business and professional practices. In his practice, David combines a passion for the law, with all of its political, economic, and social implications, with a deep devotion to Thailand.