William Morris Bursary -- $60,000 and growing for Hamilton-area McMaster students

11 Jul 2010

At William Morris’ 50th Anniversary of practicing law, friends and family surprised the longtime Hamiltonian with the establishment of a $60,000 Bursary in his name to McMaster University. Upon hearing of the Bursary, William Morris graciously added his own contribution to the fund.

William Morris founded his personal injury practice with the innovative vision that personal injury law is not only about the accident but about supporting people in rebuilding their lives. Fifty years later, Bill Morris and the lawyers of the firm are still fiercely advocating on their clients’ behalf through all phases of their rehabilitation and claims process.

“Over the past fifty years of practicing law, William Morris has become synonymous with providing opportunities to those around him. To enable someone to succeed in life is the greatest gift you can give. William Morris, through his work, has changed the lives of so many people by providing invaluable mentorship and opportunities” announced Allen J. Wynperle, past President of the Hamilton Law Association. He went on to note that “the establishment of The William Morris Bursary at McMaster University will continue Mr. Morris’ legacy of providing opportunities to those in need from the Hamilton area”.

As a down-to-earth Hamiltonian himself, William Morris has never been afraid of defying societal and legal conventions and was renowned for wearing his unlaced, steel-toe work boots and an open tie to places where this attire was considered unacceptable. As a lawyer, he has built a reputation for consistently taking on the difficult or risky cases where settlements were not guaranteed and clients desperately needed proper representation.

As a trailblazer in the Ontario legal community, William Morris has also pioneered many innovative practices including being the first personal injury lawyer to hire full-time, regulated health professionals to assist in the management of the medical aspects of the client’s case. The firm was also the first to incorporate accident benefits consultants into a law practice to handle no-fault benefits.

Having argued legal cases at every level of court in Canada over the past five decades, William Morris and the lawyers in his practice have dramatically altered the legal landscape through several high profile litigations. One of the firm’s most momentous cases was the Supreme Court of Canada decision Murphy v. Welsh (1993) that allows minors to sue past the standard two-year limitation. The law extends their limitation period to two years after their 18th birthday, as opposed to two years after the date of the accident.

As a mentor, colleague and legal advisor, Bill Morris has always fought for integrity and fair representation at all levels. The William Morris Bursary continues this tradition, ensuring those in need are provided a true opportunity to succeed.

To view the article as printed in the Hamilton Spectator, click here.

Gifts can be made in honour of William Morris to The William Morris Bursary in care of:
McMaster University
Downtown Centre
125-1280 Main Street West
Hamilton ON L8S 4L8

or online at givetomcmaster.ca

Cheques should be made out to McMaster University.

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