William B. Hembroff

Partner

 hembroffw@bennettjones.com
Education
University of Calgary, BA (Hons.), 1995
University of Victoria, LLB, 1998
Bar Admissions
Alberta, 1999
Overview

Will Hembroff assists clients with the resolution of commercial and civil disputes through litigation, mediation and alternative dispute resolution. He has appeared before all levels of Court in Alberta, has extensive Court of Appeal and civil jury trial experience and has represented clients on leave applications at the Supreme Court of Canada. Will appears regularly before administrative tribunals to assist professionals (including physicians, lawyers and pharmacists) with complaint and disciplinary matters.

Will's practice is focused on commercial litigation and tort litigation. On the commercial side, he deals with a broad range of matters including contract and shareholder disputes, commercial leases and landlord-tenant disputes, construction law cases and employment matters. With experience, knowledge and tenacity, he develops strategies and delivers expert advice that result in successful outcomes for his clients.

Will is an experienced insurance litigator, leveraging in-depth knowledge of how insurance companies work to provide his clients with timely and practical advice. He effectively negotiates with insurers to obtain coverage for his clients when coverage is unfairly denied and will litigate when necessary. He provides expert insurance coverage opinions and advice on all types of insurance policies, including those related to personal insurance (property, auto, disability, travel and life) and commercial insurance (CGL, DO and Professional Liability or EO).

Will's practice also encompasses all areas of restructuring and bankruptcy. He acts for creditors, debtors, court-appointed monitors, receivers and trustees in bankruptcy and in large and complex insolvencies and restructurings.

Will is also called on to assist clients in the efficient resolution of catastrophic injury and fatality claims. He regularly practices health law, defending physicians in administrative matters and in complex medical malpractice cases.

Select Experience
•  Successfully defended physician in medical malpractice case whereby the Court dismissed the Action as the Plaintiffs failed to establish liability. The Court made a provisional contributory negligence finding against the Plaintiff of 70% in any event (Peppler Estate v. Lee, 2019 ABQB 144).
•  Successfully defended two physicians in a complex, precedent setting, multi-million dollar medical malpractice case following a five week trial (KS v Willox, 2016 ABQB 483, 2016 CarswellAlta 1594 (WL Can)), and again successfully defended the Plaintiffs’ lengthy appeal to the Alberta Court of Appeal (KS v Willox, 2018 ABCA 271). The Plaintiffs' Application for Leave to appeal further to the Supreme Court of Canada was denied. (Tim Wood, Litigation Representative of K.S., an Infant v. David Willox, et al., 2019 CanLII 32860 (SCC)).