William L. Roberts*

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Over 25 years of practice, Will has built a reputation as a leading practitioner in complex insolvency, banking, and fraud-related litigation. He is routinely trusted to act for creditors, debtors, regulators, and court-appointed officers in high-stakes proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Actand the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Will’s work on significant matters, including Poonian v. British Columbia (Securities Commission), 2024 SCC 28, reflects his skill as an advocate. Will is widely recognized by peers and leading legal directories, including Chambers, Benchmark Litigation, and Lexpert, and is trusted by clients for his strategic and practical advice.

Will’s excellence extends beyond his practice to leadership within the firm and the profession. He is currently a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, and has spent many years act on the firm’s Conflict & Ethics Committee and the firm’s Pro Bono Committee. Will has also made sustained contributions to legal education and scholarship through his frequent speaking engagements at leading conferences, including the Annual Review of Insolvency Law Conferences, the CAIRP National Conferences, and the Canadian Bar Association. Will’s ability to explain complex legal concepts in a clear and accessible manner makes him a popular and effective speaker to a variety of audiences.

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William has represented:

Counsel for the British Columbia Securities Commission in Poonian v. British Columbia Securities Commission, 2024 SCC 28, which determined the enforceability of financial sanctions in bankruptcy proceedings. Named 2025 Impact Case of the Year by Benchmark Canada.
Counsel for Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver-Fraser Branch (CMHA-VF) in a restructuring under the Bankruptcy & Insolvency Act, which ensured continuity of housing and other critical mental health and addiction services, despite insolvency. Named Canadian Social Interest Restructuring of the Year by Insolvency Insider.
Counsel for the purchaser of a Vancouver development project in receivership proceedings, where Will obtained a precedential determination that novel reverse vesting order transactions are both economically and and jurisdictionally sound: British Columbia v. Peakhill Capital Inc., 2024 BCCA 246; leave to appeal to SCC dismissed 2025 CanLII 38366 (SCC).
Counsel for the British Columbia Securities Commission in relation to enforcement of financial sanctions in the United States, where the Supreme Court of Nevada unanimously determined that certain Canadian regulatory penalties are enforceable in the United States: Lathigee vs. British Columbia Sec. Comm'n 136 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 79; writ of certiorari denied by the Supreme Court of the United States: Docket No. 21-180
Counsel for Ernst & Young Inc. and MNP Ltd. as liquidators of a private company owning development lands in Kelowna, BC, where the Court clarified the proper role and jurisdiction of the Court in voluntary liquidations under the BC Business Corporations Act: Ernst & Young Inc. (as Liquidator) v. Callahahan AE#3 and others, 2025 BCCA 11.
Counsel for the debtor in a successful restructuring a significant cattle and dairy farm BC. The client supplied a material percentage of all dairy produced and sold in BC, but was unable to service its $75 million of debt. Will represented the client through proceedings under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act that resulted in a successful restructuring of the debt and transitioned the farm to the next generation of farmers within the operating family.
Counsel for Bank of Montreal, as senior lender to a Donnelly Group of pubs and restaurants, in relation to their restructuring the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act as a result of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The proceedings resulted in virtually all locations remaining in operation and most employees continuing their employment.
Counsel for a significant group of private oil and gas producers to restructure $450 million of senior debt under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act. The proceedings involved significant industry-specific issues, including the enforceability of gross overriding royalties (a common financing vehicle in mining and resource-based industries): Re Accel Canada Holdings Limited, 2020 ABQB 182.