Bill Reid has spent his time helping students like he would his own family.
For 30 years, William Reid has been a key support for George Brown students facing legal issues.
These range from housing disputes and workplace problems to family matters and criminal charges.
As his time as the Student Association’s (SA) legal service provider marks three decades, Reid says his approach has stayed the same.
“I treat every student’s situation as if it’s my own situation, or my own children’s situation,” he said. “What would I do if this was my family member? I absolutely do the very same for every student.”
Reid’s work with student unions began by chance.
He was approached first by a different student union, and his work quickly became known.
He quickly noticed the gap students faced with regards to legal matters, as many were dealing with leases, jobs and other legal issues for the first time.
Access to reliable and reasonably priced advice was limited for students during the 90s.
Some time after their incorporation, the SA asked him to provide the same service and became the third student union he worked with.
“I realized that there was a need among students for legal advice and assistance,” he said.
Once the service was promoted, students came in large numbers, he said.
Today, the legal service covers a wide range of issues.
These include housing, employment, civil claims, family and criminal law, and government matters such as OSAP.
The service also supports students starting businesses.
“Not all legal issues are negative situations. If students want to establish businesses on the side, I show them how to do so, how to create contracts, things like that.”
While the core of his work has not changed much, what Reid notes has been the biggest change of the years has come in the form of technological advancements.
“There’s just an expectation that things will be done more quickly. Everyone is now expecting students to do everything electronically, to put things in writing perfectly, and to have it done immediately.”
Being the longest tenured member of the SA team, Reid has seen a lot of change in the organization over the years. While the student union serving George Brown has certainly evolved to become more vital to the everyday lives of the students, he credits the managers and staff’s hard work for ensuring the long-term success he’s contributed towards.
“The managers, and the support staff in all departments are all vital to everything that the Student Association does, and that includes the legal service” he said.
Reid continues to see his role as meaningful work, looking forward to being able to assist the future generations of students who choose to study at George brown.
“It is a pleasure and a privilege,” he said. “I consider myself to have the best clientele any lawyer could ask for.”
