William L. Roberts,

Will represents the BC Securities Commission in relation to the receivership and bankruptcy proceedings arising from a Ponzi scheme operated by a notary public, which allegedly raised in excess of $80 million from investors while showing a loss to investors exceeding $25 million. - Benchmark Litigation 2017

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.

• Canadian Bar Association, Member

• Chambers Canada: Restructuring/Insolvency - Nationwide (Band 6), 2025
• Best Lawyers in Canada: Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law, 2014-2025
• Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys - Litigation Star, 2019-2024
• Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory: BV Peer Review rated

William has represented:

• 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
• 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