Lawson Lundell's Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog follows new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. Our goal is to provide a source of valuable information and insight on a wide variety of matters for our readers.
Practice Expertise
- Bankruptcy
- Insolvency and Restructuring
- Litigation
Areas of Practice
- Bankruptcy
- Insolvency and Restructuring
- Litigation
Profile
Will practises in the areas of insolvency and restructuring law with an emphasis on insolvency proceedings, banking litigation, creditors' remedies and fraud claims.
Will routinely represents creditors, debtors and purchasers in restructurings under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, and for financial institutions, Trustees in Bankruptcy and Receivers in connection with residential and commercial foreclosures, receiverships, realizations, bankruptcies, fraud claims and cheque negotiation issues.
Will also represents the British Columbia Securities Commission in relation various matters, including insolvency proceedings, the enforcement of administrative penalties and receiverships.
Prior to being called to the British Columbia bar, Will spent a term as a judicial law clerk to the British Columbia Supreme Court. He also dedicates a significant amount of time to representing pro bono clients in relation to fraud and debt claims.
Will routinely represents creditors, debtors and purchasers in restructurings under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, and for financial institutions, Trustees in Bankruptcy and Receivers in connection with residential and commercial foreclosures, receiverships, realizations, bankruptcies, fraud claims and cheque negotiation issues.
Will also represents the British Columbia Securities Commission in relation various matters, including insolvency proceedings, the enforcement of administrative penalties and receiverships.
Prior to being called to the British Columbia bar, Will spent a term as a judicial law clerk to the British Columbia Supreme Court. He also dedicates a significant amount of time to representing pro bono clients in relation to fraud and debt claims.
Bar Admissions
British Columbia (1999)
Education
Simon Fraser University (B.C. (Psyc.), 1992)
University of British Columbia (LL.B., 1998)
Areas of Practice
- Bankruptcy
- Insolvency and Restructuring
- Litigation
Professional Career
Significant Accomplishments
William has represented:
The Executive Director of the British Columbia Securities Commission in successfully defending an appeal of a Freeze Order: Zhu v. British Columbia Securities Commission, 2013 BCCA 248
Grant Thornton Limited, in its capacity as Monitor of Huldra Silver Inc., in relation to proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
Bank of Montreal in relation to proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act commenced by the Johel Group of Companies
A credit union in obtaining an Order Nisi where the validity of the mortgage was being challenged on the basis of prior allegedly fraudulent transfers:First West Credit Union v. Giesbrecht, 2013 BCSC 564
The British Columbia Securities Commission in proceedings to trace and recover amounts in excess of $13 million relating to the Manna / Legacy fraud
The Bank of Montreal, HSBC Bank Canada, Vancity and Bancorp Financial Services Inc. in relation to various commercial work-outs and realization proceedings
Various lenders and receivers in relation to realization proceedings involving hotels in Victoria and Squamish, B.C.
Grant Thornton Limited, in its capacity as Monitor of Tagish Lake Gold Corp., in relation to proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
The British Columbia Securities Commission in relation to the bankruptcy of Horizon FX Investments Limited Partnership
Meyers Norris Penny Limited, in its capacity as Trustee in Bankruptcy of the Estate of Michael Ernst Ruge, to trace and recover funds on behalf of investors
Grant Thornton Limited, in its capacities as Interim Receiver and Monitor of Load Runner Logistics Ltd. and related entities
A Trustee in Bankruptcy in successfully defending a claim for breach of duty: First Vancouver Finance v. E. Sands & Associates Inc., 2005 BCSC 1413
The Bank of Montreal and HSBC Bank Canada in a number of matters relating to cheque negotiation and clearing issues under the Bills of Exchange Act and Canadian Payment Association Rules, including matters relating to cheque-kiting and forged bank drafts
The Bank of Montreal and HSBC Bank Canada in relation to various fraud claims
Campbell, Saunders Ltd., in its capacity as Trustee in Bankruptcy of the Estate of Ronald Stephen Barker, to trace and recover funds on behalf of defrauded investors
The British Columbia Securities Commission in relation to the bankruptcy of Ian Gregory Thow
The British Columbia Securities Commission in advancing claims against a $20 million fund held by a court-appointed Receiver
The Bank of Montreal, HSBC Bank Canada and various Trustees in Bankruptcy in prosecuting claims under the Fraudulent Conveyance Act and Fraudulent Preference Act
A pro bono client in successfully setting-aside a fraudulent mortgage transaction: Murray v. Affordable Homes Inc., 2007 BCSC 1428
Professional Associations
* Canadian Bar Association, Member
Recognition and Ranking
*Best Lawyers in Canada: recognized for insolvency and financial restructuring law
*Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys: recognized for insolvency litigation in British Columbia
*Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory: CV Peer Review rated
William has represented:
The Executive Director of the British Columbia Securities Commission in successfully defending an appeal of a Freeze Order: Zhu v. British Columbia Securities Commission, 2013 BCCA 248
Grant Thornton Limited, in its capacity as Monitor of Huldra Silver Inc., in relation to proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
Bank of Montreal in relation to proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act commenced by the Johel Group of Companies
A credit union in obtaining an Order Nisi where the validity of the mortgage was being challenged on the basis of prior allegedly fraudulent transfers:First West Credit Union v. Giesbrecht, 2013 BCSC 564
The British Columbia Securities Commission in proceedings to trace and recover amounts in excess of $13 million relating to the Manna / Legacy fraud
The Bank of Montreal, HSBC Bank Canada, Vancity and Bancorp Financial Services Inc. in relation to various commercial work-outs and realization proceedings
Various lenders and receivers in relation to realization proceedings involving hotels in Victoria and Squamish, B.C.
Grant Thornton Limited, in its capacity as Monitor of Tagish Lake Gold Corp., in relation to proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
The British Columbia Securities Commission in relation to the bankruptcy of Horizon FX Investments Limited Partnership
Meyers Norris Penny Limited, in its capacity as Trustee in Bankruptcy of the Estate of Michael Ernst Ruge, to trace and recover funds on behalf of investors
Grant Thornton Limited, in its capacities as Interim Receiver and Monitor of Load Runner Logistics Ltd. and related entities
A Trustee in Bankruptcy in successfully defending a claim for breach of duty: First Vancouver Finance v. E. Sands & Associates Inc., 2005 BCSC 1413
The Bank of Montreal and HSBC Bank Canada in a number of matters relating to cheque negotiation and clearing issues under the Bills of Exchange Act and Canadian Payment Association Rules, including matters relating to cheque-kiting and forged bank drafts
The Bank of Montreal and HSBC Bank Canada in relation to various fraud claims
Campbell, Saunders Ltd., in its capacity as Trustee in Bankruptcy of the Estate of Ronald Stephen Barker, to trace and recover funds on behalf of defrauded investors
The British Columbia Securities Commission in relation to the bankruptcy of Ian Gregory Thow
The British Columbia Securities Commission in advancing claims against a $20 million fund held by a court-appointed Receiver
The Bank of Montreal, HSBC Bank Canada and various Trustees in Bankruptcy in prosecuting claims under the Fraudulent Conveyance Act and Fraudulent Preference Act
A pro bono client in successfully setting-aside a fraudulent mortgage transaction: Murray v. Affordable Homes Inc., 2007 BCSC 1428
Professional Associations
* Canadian Bar Association, Member
Recognition and Ranking
*Best Lawyers in Canada: recognized for insolvency and financial restructuring law
*Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys: recognized for insolvency litigation in British Columbia
*Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory: CV Peer Review rated
Articles
Insolvency and Restructuring Bulletin: SCC Releases its Decision in Sun Indalex Finance, LLC v. United Steelworkers (February 7, 2013)
"The Secrets to Successful Pro-Bono Programs", CBA BarTalk, (October 9, 2012), Author
"The Secrets to Successful Pro-Bono Programs", CBA BarTalk, (October 9, 2012), Author
Blogs
North of 60 Blog
Our North of 60 Blog provides commentary on current legal trends and developments, and legislative updates affecting businesses in Northern Canada.
Pensions and Employee Benefits Law Blog
Lawson Lundell's Pension and Employee Benefits Law Blog provides updates on the most recent legal developments impacting pension and employee benefit plans. We cover a range of topics, including recent case law and changes to relevant provincial and federal legislation.
Privacy & Data Management Blog
This blog is authored by members of the Privacy & Data Management Department. We follow new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. We follow emerging issues, legal developments, and new technology as they impact privacy and data management. We will focus on how organizations can protect, manage and innovate with information considering the various risks, regulatory and governance requirements.
The Business Law Blog
This blog is authored by members of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department. We intend to follow new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. The wide range of experience among the members of our litigation group will provide a diverse and insightful examination of current legal trends and topics. Our goal is to provide a source of valuable information and insight on a wide variety of matters for our readers.
Meet our Firms and Professionals
WSG’s member firms include legal, investment banking and accounting experts across industries and on a global scale. We invite you to meet our member firms and professionals.
