William Randall is a multilingual world traveller and an outstanding volunteer, whose pursuit of a career in public sector law took him from Florida to Ottawa, then to Calgary, and now to Edmonton, where he is firmly established in the community — not to mention running a family cattle ranch in the United States.
A native of Florida, Will obtained an undergrad degree in engineering, and while working in a co-op program, quickly realized it was not his calling. His parents then asked whether he would consider a career in law. Encouraged by his uncle who was a judge, and his aunt who was a lawyer, Will wrote the LSAT exam and never looked back.
While at law school, an opportunity came up for a student exchange program at the University of Ottawa. Will relocated and enjoyed the more collegial atmosphere at Canadian universities.
Then the recession hit in 2007, as he was finishing his law degree. “It was tough on students and new graduates in the US and Canada alike,” he explained. Deciding to relocate again, this time to Alberta in the summer of 2008, Will started law studies at the University of Calgary and worked on his Masters in natural resources, energy and environmental law.
While studying, he got a job at a landowner rights organization. He wrote the NCA exams and then articled in Edmonton, working in environmental and aboriginal law. Will’s exposure to big oil sands project approval hearings was a great experience. He spent one year with an international firm before exploring opportunities in the public sector.
“I was always interested in the public sector and in 2013, I applied for and landed a Junior Lawyer position with the Alberta government, where I worked on environmental law, constitutional law, privacy and procurement law.”
In 2021, he joined the Advisor Office for Alberta Workers’ Compensation, and the CEO, Dale Wispinski, an alumna of the Business Leadership Program for In-House Counsel, recommended the program at the Rotman School of Management to him.
“I attended the 2022 cohort of the Program, which was conducted entirely online due to COVID,” he says. “The financial training was particularly helpful, along with the relationships I built. The program offered a valuable experience, and I found the conversations and collaborative projects with other participants to be highly useful.
“It was a worthwhile endeavour, and I would choose to participate again. It’s a no-brainer for in-house counsel to attend this robust program.”
Will is a member of the public sector lawyers’ group within the Canadian Bar Association, where he will serve as Chair in 2026. He encourages members to attend events, learn and network, and to volunteer in the community wherever possible.
“I have long been committed to giving back to the community, and I feel fortunate to have time to do so, whether it is pro bono legal advice I offer at the Edmonton Legal Centre for low-income Albertans, or my volunteer leadership with the CBA. I also lecture at the University of Alberta to MBA and BCom students on natural resources and environmental law.”
In addition to his involvement n the legal community, Will is a 2022 Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta) recognizing significant service to the community. He is also president of the philanthropic Sir Winston Churchill Society of Edmonton focusing on civil discourse.
Where to next? A father-son trip to Nunavut’s Resolute Bay in August to see more of his adopted country.