Welcome to ILN-terviews, a series of profiles of ILN member firm attorneys, designed to give a unique insight into the lawyers who make up our Network. For our latest interview, we chose ILN member, Bill Holder of our member firm Clark Wilson in Vancouver, Canada.

In one sentence, how would you describe your practice?
I am engaged in the practice of business litigation with about 50% of my files involving real estate/commercial tenancy disputes and the other 50% being larger collection matters. 

Who would be your typical client? 
Real estate developers, commercial landlords/shopping centers, and international creditors.

What would you like clients and potential clients to know about you? 
I’ve been with my firm for just over 30 years – this experience allows me to offer efficient and practical advice.   

What has been your most challenging case? Why? 
For the past 8 years, I’ve been representing an elderly couple who are trying to obtain judicial recognition of a 999 year lease of a waterfront property in my Province’s lake district.  The legal issues are complex, but my clients are, in my opinion, in the right. It’s just one of those cases I personally feel we have to win. The law must find a way to help them. 

What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer? 
I mentored a junior associate in taking her first case to trial. She was nervous, but only because she didn’t recognize the talent she possessed. I’ll always remember the look on her face when she was successful. An advocate was born, and I don’t think she ever looked back. 

What do you do when you’re not practicing law? 
I spend most of my free time enjoying life with my wife and three children.  During a rare pause in the action, I’ll hide in the modest wine cellar in the basement of our home. 

What would surprise people most about you? 
I am a sandan (third degree) black belt in the Shito-Ryu style of traditional Japanese karate. I teach at a local dojo each week where one of my sons is an advanced student. 

What has been your most memorable ILN experience?
I wouldn’t point to a single ILN experience as being the most memorable – I am very grateful to have participated in a number of wonderful conferences. The most singular idea that strikes me at every ILN get together is the common bond we all share as lawyers.  I leave each conference impressed by the wonderful individuals who make up our organization. 

What career would you have chosen if you weren’t a lawyer? 
It’s a toss up between being a chef or a winery owner. 

If a movie were made of your life, who would you want to play you? 
Brad Pitt and Daniel Craig have already offered their services. 

How would you like to be remembered? 
What, I’m going somewhere?

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Photo of Lindsay Griffiths Lindsay Griffiths

Lindsay Griffiths is the International Lawyers Network’s Executive Director. She is a dynamic, influential international executive and marketing thought leader with a passion for relationship development and authoring impactful content. Griffiths is a driven, strategic leader who implements creative initiatives to achieve the…

Lindsay Griffiths is the International Lawyers Network’s Executive Director. She is a dynamic, influential international executive and marketing thought leader with a passion for relationship development and authoring impactful content. Griffiths is a driven, strategic leader who implements creative initiatives to achieve the goals of a global professional services network. She manages all major aspects of the Network, including recruitment, member retention, and providing exceptional client service to an international membership base.

In her role as Executive Director, Griffiths manages a mix of international programs, engages a diverse global community, and develops an international membership base. She leads the development and successful implementation of major organizational initiatives, manages interpersonal relationships, and possesses executive presence with audiences of internal and external stakeholders. Griffiths excels at project management, organization, and planning, writes and speaks with influence and authority, and works independently while demonstrating flexibility in thinking, especially in challenging situations. She also adapts to diverse and dynamic environments with constant assessment and recalibration.

JD Supra Readers Choice Top Author 2019

In 2021, the ILN was honored as Global Law Firm Network of the Year by The Lawyer European Awards, and in 2016, 2017, and 2022, they were shortlisted as Global Law Firm Network of the Year. Since 2011, the Network has been listed as a Chambers & Partners Leading Law Firm Network, recently increasing this ranking to be included in the top two percent of law firm networks globally, as well as adding two regional rankings. She was awarded “Thought Leader of the Year” by the Legal Marketing Association’s New York chapter in 2014 for her substantive contributions to the industry and was included in Clio’s list of “34 People in Legal You Should Follow on Twitter.” She was also chosen for the American Bar Association Journal’s inaugural Web 100‘s Best Law Blogs, where judge Ivy Grey said “This blog is outstanding, thoughtful, and useful.” Ms. Griffiths was chosen as a Top Author by JD Supra in their 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards, for the level of engagement and visibility she attained with readers on the topic of marketing & business development. She has been the author of Zen & the Art of Legal Networking since February 2009.