Mr. James Reid

James Reid recounts his journey from Scotland to becoming a prominent Ottawa lawyer specializing in municipal law. Born in Cupar, Fife, Reid studied law at St. Andrews University before emigrating to Canada in 1956. After teaching briefly in Eganville, he completed the Bar Admission Course and articled with Gordon Metcalfe, City Solicitor of Ottawa.

Reid’s career divides into two main phases: his work with the City of Ottawa (1961-1966) and private practice with Hewitt, Hewitt & Nesbitt (1966-1995). At the City, he handled significant cases involving Charlotte Whitton’s controversial housing standards by-law, which was ultimately struck down by the Court of Appeal. His private practice focused heavily on municipal law, including the landmark Township of Marlborough case that challenged improper subdivision schemes.

Reid’s most significant contribution was his role as counsel for the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton’s first Official Plan, a complex two-and-a-half-year Ontario Municipal Board hearing that established regional planning precedents. He also handled notable shopping centre designation disputes and various litigation matters. The interview concludes with his reflections on legal practice changes from the 1960s to 1990s, noting the dramatic increase in practitioners and the loss of the more collegial atmosphere of earlier decades.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.