Emily Clough

At the helm of one of Western Canada's premier law firms, Emily steers Clark Wilson with a deft hand, ensuring top-tier legal services for clients both domestically and internationally. Her expertise in Trusts and Estates has not gone unnoticed, earning her the Best Lawyer® accolade in Canada and commendations from Lexpert.

Emily's courtroom prowess is evident across all judicial levels, where she's been pivotal in landmark British Columbia cases, notably in matters of wills variation and marriage incapacity. Her legal battles have garnered attention nationwide, with features in the Globe & Mail and CBC.

Her recognition extended in 2019 when she was shortlisted for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, spotlighting her as a vanguard in elder law. By 2021, the Estates & Trusts team under her leadership was in the running for the Contentious Trusts and Estates Team of the Year at the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners’ Private Client Awards.

Beyond her legal practice, Emily dedicates herself to legal education and reform. She led both the British Columbia Law Institute and the Canadian Centre for Elder Law, institutions known for their rigorous legal research and reform initiatives. Clark Wilson benefits from her commitment to pro bono work, a testament to her leadership of the firm's pro bono committee. Emily's altruism shines as she aids low-income seniors with wills and incapacity planning, ensuring their wishes are respected. Additionally, as vice president of Health Justice, she champions legal improvements in coercive health care practices under BC's Mental Health Act.

Emily's voice resonates beyond the courtroom as a prolific writer and speaker on elder law and incapacity, contributing to the Continuing Legal Education Society of BC and supporting the Alzheimer Society through seminars on safeguarding vulnerable adults' rights.

Her professional journey is marked by notable qualifications, including her designation as a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Educationally, Emily's foundation was laid at Gonzaga University, where she graduated with honors in 2001, followed by a Juris Doctor from the University of Victoria in 2007. Her practical legal skills were honed during a judicial clerkship at the Supreme Court of British Columbia from 2007 to 2008, culminating in her admission to the Bar in British Columbia in 2009.

Emily's legal acumen spans elder law, estates and trusts, and charities and not-for-profits law, showcasing her versatility and dedication to her field.