The Canadian Bar Association is deeply saddened by the passing of the Hon. Bryan Williams, K.C., former president of the CBA. He leaves behind a profound and enduring legacy in the legal profession.
Throughout his long career, he was heavily involved in the CBA, leading the association as its 58th President in 1986-1987. One of his priorities as President was strengthening the structure of the association’s Sections at both the Branch and National levels. He also served as CBABC President in 1977-1978, and was Chair of the National Legislation & Law Reform Committee in 1983-1984.
He attended law school at the University of British Columbia and became a pillar of the province’s legal community. As a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of B.C., he brought his wealth of litigation experience to the position and advocated for justice system reforms, such as improving rights of the incarcerated.
He took on numerous roles advocating for the administration of justice, serving as a commissioner on the B.C. Law Reform Commission, chair of the B.C. Legal Aid Society, and founding chair of the CBA Law for the Future Fund, which has provided over $5.2 million in financial support to Canadian law research projects since 1984.
On behalf of the entire CBA, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, his loved ones, his colleagues, and all others whose lives he touched.
