William J. Willis,
Founding Partner
William J. Willis is a well-known business lawyer and community leader in South-Western Ontario. His practice centres on a value added, ‘just-in-time’, and ethical approach to delivering top quality legal services. This approach, matched with William’s hard work ethic, has proven to be very effective in developing and maintaining strong client relationships, a reputation of integrity and a level of sincere appreciation from his clients.
In late 2016, William became Founding Partner of Willis Business Law. As a designated Certified Corporate and Commercial Specialist, he is well suited to head the firm’s business law department. William strives to mentor his team of talented lawyers and impart in them the importance of professionalism, valuing client relationships and being active in one’s community.
Within the firm, William is a valued role model to his team and supports his team whenever needed. William is a strong believer in team building and can often be heard reciting the phrase “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. In that regard he is constantly motivating and encouraging all members of his team to be the best version of themselves resulting in limitless potential as a whole.
In his personal time, William enjoys spending time with his two daughters and wife, Dina.
- University of Windsor, B.A. (Economics)
- University of Windsor, B.A. (Political Science)
- University of Windsor, LL.B.
- Ontario, 2005
- Speaker at the Windsor Economic Development Corporation’s Growth Options & Sources of Capital Available to Mid-Market Canadian Businesses
- Speaker at the University of Windsor’s Odette Project for Technology, Innovation and Commercialization seminar
- Speaker at the Ontario Bar Association’s “Commercial Leasing: The Must Know Update” professional development program
- Speaker at an event sponsored by TiE Detroit in Michigan regarding business opportunities in Canada
- Panellist at the Driving Cross Border Business Seminar in Michigan
- Co-author of Paper on “Waiver and Estoppel in a Commercial Leasing Context” presented at professional development program sponsored by the Ontario Bar Association
- Corporate Lawyer to Watch- 2017 Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/ Canada Cross- Border Corporate Lawyers
- Business Professional of the Year 2012- Business Excellence Award
- Appointed to the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation board.
- Treasurers Medal – Law Society of Upper Canada, awarded to the student attaining the highest grade in the Bar Admission Course
- Board of Governors Medal – University of Windsor, awarded to the student attaining the highest standing among all graduates in the Faculty of Law
- Board of Governors Medal – University of Windsor, awarded to the student attaining the highest standing among all graduates in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Honorary Member of the Local Golden Key International Honour Society – honorary members are elected by local Golden Key chapters and are individuals who are active on campus or in the community in areas of scholarship, leadership or service
Current
- WindsorEssex Development Corporation – Board Member
- University of Windsor Board of Governors – Chair
Past
- University of Windsor Senate – Member
- University of Windsor Faculty of Law- Instructor
- Securities and Regulation Course
- Contracts Course
- Bankruptcy and Insolvency Course
- United Way Centraide of Windsor-Essex County – Board Member
- Windsor Symphony Orchestra- Board Member
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