Biography
William F. "Bill" Farley is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Chicago office and member of the Data Strategy, Security and Privacy Practice Group. Mr. Farley represents businesses in complex commercial disputes covering a broad range of legal issues, including data privacy, class actions, 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 works with clients in industries such as banking and financial services, healthcare and life sciences, insurance, media, consumer products, information technology and transportation.
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 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.
Mr. Farley assists clients resolve matters involving breach of contract, trade secret misappropriation, private shareholder rights disputes, breach of fiduciary duty and consumer fraud actions. He has also handled matters involving wills, trusts and estate disputes and is 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.
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.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Farley was a judicial clerk for the Honorable Joy V. Cunningham in the Illinois Appellate Court.
Mr. Farley also maintains an active pro bono practice. His notable representations include being a member of the Chicago pro bono team who helped a Togolese refugee gain asylum in the United States.