William S. Clark*
*William S. Clark Law Corporation
Partner
With 35 years of experience, William is recognized as one of Canada’s leading health law lawyers.
Biography
William is a senior partner at Harper Grey, the chair of our professional regulation group and co-chair of our health law group.
William represents clients in both civil and regulatory matters. His primary areas of practice include professional regulation and discipline, civil sexual assault litigation, civil and billing fraud, credentials proceedings, human rights and discrimination in a professional context, privacy, professional ethics, and fitness to practice. He acts both for professional and other stakeholders, with a primary focus in the health professions.
Consistently ranked as a leader in his field, William has been recognized by various legal publications, including Chambers, Lexpert, Best Lawyers and Benchmark Canada.
William has substantial experience in and intimate knowledge in all aspect of health including health law regulation, research frameworks, and professional practice. He has served as an adjunct lecturer in health law at the University of Victoria.
Assistance Team
Expertise
Education
University of Victoria, LL.B., 1988
University of British Columbia, B.A., 1982
Languages spoken
- English
Professional Regulation
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Representing professionals in disciplinary matters including improper administration (billing, record keeping), communication with patients/clients, negligence, and allegations of sexual misconduct
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Advocating for professionals applying for a licence to practice in British Columbia
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Representing clients at tribunals, hearings and other meetings at regulatory organizations such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC, the College of Dental Surgeons of BC, and the College of Physiotherapists of BC
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Advising clients on matters involving breach of confidentiality and the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act
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Counsel on an appeal involving a Constitutional and Charter challenge to a finding of professional misconduct and conduct unbecoming
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Providing policy advice to professional organizations, including advice regarding professional liability insurance
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Counsel to the Royal Commission on Workers Compensation in British Columbia
Litigation
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William often works with other Harper Grey counsel on matters intersecting professional regulation, civil litigation and/or criminal law
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Counsel in a number of Supreme Court of Canada cases such as London Drugs v. Kuhne & Nagel (vicarious liability), A.M. v. Ryan (evidence, disclosure, counselling records), and Hollis v. Birch (establishing a manufacturer’s duty to warn of potentially hazardous medical products)
Professional Credentials
Leadership
- Administrative Justice: A Practitioner’s Guide, Published by LexisNexis® Canada, Contributing Author (2016)
- Harper Grey Administrative Law Observer Newsletter, Editor and Contributing Author
- Harper Grey Canadian Administrative Law Blog, Editor and Contributing Author
- Harper Grey Health Law Group, Assistant Chair
- Harper Grey Professional Regulation Practice Group, Chair
- King David High School, Board Member
- LexisNexis® Harper Grey Administrative Law Netletter™, Contributing Author
- UVIC Health Law, Sessional Instructor
Memberships
- Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, Member
- Canadian Bar Association, National Health Law Subsection, Member
- Medical Legal Society of BC, Member
- The Law Society of British Columbia, Member
Recognition
Recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” in the area of Healthcare (Nationwide) by Chambers Canada®
2023-2024
Recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” in the area of Healthcare (Regional – British Columbia) by Chambers Canada®
2020-2022
Recognized as a “Consistently Recommended” in the area of Medical Negligence (Represents Defendants) by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory®, 2024
2024
Recognized as a “Repeatedly Recommended” in the area of Medical Negligence (Represents Defendants) by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory®
2017-2023
Recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” in the area of Administrative and Public Law by Best Lawyers® Canada
2017-2024
Recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” in the area of Health Care Law by Best Lawyers® Canada
2015 – 2024
Recognized as a “Local Litigation Star” in British Columbia in the area of Health Law by Benchmark Canada®
2019-2024
Recognized as a “Local Litigation Star” in British Columbia in the area of Professional Regulation by Benchmark Canada®
2019-2024
Rated as a “Repeatedly Recommended” in the area of Professional Liability by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory®
2019-2021
Commentaries
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