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 to various matters, including insolvency proceedings, the enforcement of administrative penalties and receiverships.
Will is a member of the firm's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee which is responsible for identifying and guiding the implementation of measures to further advance equity, diversity and inclusion at Lawson Lundell.
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 to various matters, including insolvency proceedings, the enforcement of administrative penalties and receiverships.
Will is a member of the firm's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee which is responsible for identifying and guiding the implementation of measures to further advance equity, diversity and inclusion at Lawson Lundell.
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.
Languages
English
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
* The Executive Director of the British Columbia Securities Commission in successfully defending an appeal relating to the distribution of tout sheets containing material misrepresentations about the subject securities: McCabe v. British Columbia Securities Commission, 2015 BCCA 176
* The Executive Director of the British Columbia Securities Commission in successfully defending an appeal relating to an fraudulent investment scheme that resulted in losses exceeding $60 million: Michaels v. British Columbia Securities Commission, 2016 BCCA 144
* The Executive Director of the British Columbia Securities Commission in successfully defending a leave application relating to a fraudulent investment scheme involving fictional web-based advertising memberships: Zhu v. British Columbia Securities Commission, December 3, 2015, CA42960
* 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
Additional Information
Rankings & Recognition
* Best Lawyers in Canada 2014-2027: Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law
* Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys 2019-2026: Litigation Star
* Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2025-2026: Insolvency & Financial Restructuring (Leading Practitioner)
* Chambers Global 2025-2026: Restructuring/Insolvency (Band 6)
* Chambers Global 2025-2026: Restructuring/Insolvency - Nationwide (Band 6)
* Benchmark Litigation Canada Awards 2025: Impact Case Award for Poonian v. British Columbia (Securities Commission)
* Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory 2013
* The Executive Director of the British Columbia Securities Commission in successfully defending an appeal relating to the distribution of tout sheets containing material misrepresentations about the subject securities: McCabe v. British Columbia Securities Commission, 2015 BCCA 176
* The Executive Director of the British Columbia Securities Commission in successfully defending an appeal relating to an fraudulent investment scheme that resulted in losses exceeding $60 million: Michaels v. British Columbia Securities Commission, 2016 BCCA 144
* The Executive Director of the British Columbia Securities Commission in successfully defending a leave application relating to a fraudulent investment scheme involving fictional web-based advertising memberships: Zhu v. British Columbia Securities Commission, December 3, 2015, CA42960
* 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
Additional Information
Rankings & Recognition
* Best Lawyers in Canada 2014-2027: Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law
* Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys 2019-2026: Litigation Star
* Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2025-2026: Insolvency & Financial Restructuring (Leading Practitioner)
* Chambers Global 2025-2026: Restructuring/Insolvency (Band 6)
* Chambers Global 2025-2026: Restructuring/Insolvency - Nationwide (Band 6)
* Benchmark Litigation Canada Awards 2025: Impact Case Award for Poonian v. British Columbia (Securities Commission)
* Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory 2013
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.
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