William F. “Bill” Farley
Partner – Holland & Knight LLP
Description of field of expertise
William F. “Bill” Farley is an attorney in Holland & Knight’s Chicago office and practices commercial litigation. Mr. Farley represents businesses in complex commercial disputes covering a broad range of legal issues, including class actions, data privacy, business torts, domestic and international supply chain disputes, and commercial landlord-tenant actions. He is also an International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Certified Information Privacy Professional for the U.S. private sector (CIPP/US).
Mr. Farley’s data privacy practice includes defending clients in class actions involving website wiretap litigation and biometric privacy laws such as the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), as well advising clients on compliance with data privacy laws nationwide. He has also helped clients resolve matters involving breach of contract, trade secret misappropriation, private shareholder rights disputes and consumer fraud actions. He handles all phases of the litigation process from pre-complaint negotiations through trial. Mr. Farley’s experience also includes resolution of matters through alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration and mediation.
In addition to his comprehensive trial and arbitration capabilities, clients rely on Mr. Farley for creative and practical solutions and strategies to resolve disputes before litigation whenever possible. He employs a business-minded approach, and enjoys learning about his clients’ industries, short-term and long-term goals and concerns. This allows Mr. Farley to play an advisory role by keeping clients informed of emerging trends in their industries, in effort to avoid potential litigation in the future or reduce liability exposure.
Mr. Farley is also an experienced appellate lawyer at the state and federal level. In particular, Mr. Farley has handled matters before the Illinois Appellate Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?
- Be indispensable—treat the partners you work for like your most important client. Building your internal brand and reputation will pay dividends throughout your career.
- Find an area that merges your interests/passions with your practice. If you are passionate about the issues you work on, it will allow you to effortlessly pour time and attention into your practice without it feeling too much like chore.
- The importance of networking cannot be stressed enough, both internally (within your firm or business) and externally. Opportunities happen when you are front of mind and an unexpected person has a need that is in your area of expertise.
Final thoughts…
Always be willing to reach out to new people. Most people are more receptive to new connections than you may think. By the same token, always be generous with your time in helping others and for those that have helped you. Pay it forward.