William Lorne Northmore Somerville

William Lorne Northmore Somerville, (August 24, 1921 – June 10, 2009), was a Canadian lawyer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He spent his career in private practice with the firm of Borden & Elliot, one of Canada's largest law firms (now Borden Ladner Gervais). For the last ten years of his career, he served as chairman of the firm. He also served as president of the Canadian Bar Association from 1974 to 1975.

Early life and family Somerville was born in Ottawa, Ontario, on August 24, 1921. His parents were William Lorne and Olive Triscott Somerville, and he had one brother, John.

He and his first wife had five children: Nanci, Sarah, Bill, David and Frederick. He married his second wife, Mary, in 1988.

Education Somerville attended the Collingwood Collegiate Institute in Collingwood, Ontario, graduating in 1939. He then attended Trinity College at the University of Toronto, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1943. He interrupted his education to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II. Upon his return to Canada, he studied law at Osgoode Hall Law School, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1948. and as national president from 1974 to 1975. he was also a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel and the American Bar Association. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, including being chairman of the College's Canadian-U.S. Committee in 1988. He was also a Governor of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies.

Later life and death Somerville died peacefully on June 10, 2009, after a long illness. He was survived by his wife, Mary, his five children, and several grandchildren, and predeceased by his brother John. His funeral service was held at the Cathedral Church of St. James on June 18, 2009.

Honours 1960 - Appointed Queen's Counsel by the Province of Ontario. 1974 - Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. 1992 - Appointed Chairman Emeritus of the Toronto office of Borden & Elliott.