Column: Julian Hall – Politician, Lawyer, Legend
[Opinion column written by Eron Hill]
“The issue of disappointing anyone else must take a distant and inferior second place to the goal of pursuing your dreams and making your life choices as you think fit and with the minimum prospect of regret” – Julian Hall
Those words said to his daughter have are words that we can all listen to and live by.
A politician, a lawyer, a legend. Yes Julian Hall.
Growing up I had frequently heard of the legend of Julian Hall and it was always a dream of mine to be able to meet him, to work alongside him and learn from him.
A dream that I must confess caused great sadness at times as I used to dismiss it as being a dream that was forever lost because of this great man’s death on July 18th 2009.
I didn’t get to meet him in this lifetime, nor did I get to work with the man himself, but certainly the opportunity to learn from him and his life has not escaped me. I work with and under the tutelage of those in the legal fraternity who worked with Mr. Hall and who always tell me stories about the man who some regard as the best legal mind Bermuda has ever seen.
Sometimes we have heroes we’ve never met and the burden lay with us to learn as much as we can about them and carry on their legacy; and when we do we will often feel as if we’ve missed out because we never got to meet them but the reality is…..legends never die!
“The energy required to change the world is not easily found, however, and that is why we need heroes. We need to see that there are people who have gone before us who have taken on the mantle with pride and effectiveness, we need to be reminded that there is a code and a creed which some people adhere to which makes them heroic in ways we often fail to notice. “ - Charles Richardson
I’ve made an effort to research court judgements for cases in which Mr. Hall appeared. With the help of those who worked with and loved him, I’ve managed to secure columns and interviews and articles. I’m truly fascinated by the things I’m learning.
As I read the articles, court judgments, and interviews from almost 15 years ago, it sparks something inside a young grasshopper like myself. As I read for hours I take the advice that Julian gave to others many years ago as if said directly to me today
“Look at my life and take all of the brilliant moments and mirror them, makes lots of money, and enjoy your work… but don’t make any of the mistakes I made… and that should be easy because I’ve shown you what they are…March Forth’ – Julian Hall
And yet another timeless quote.
‘I am also writing. It is very important that I set out- even if only for my children- a history of what I have gone through and experienced. I am determined to finish it if not by the end of this year, then certainly by the early part of next year.’ – Julian Hall
Sadly, Mr. Hall never got to finish his book. I thought long and hard about it, and I’ve decided to make it a mission of mine to continue my research on this great man, meet with his loved ones and those who worked with and alongside him and write a book on the life of Julian Hall, who is truly a Bermudian icon.
We all can learn so much from the life of Mr. Hall and I believe it’s important that his legacy lives on.
Mr. Hall, I will continue to research your life, learn from both your successes and self-admitted failures and in return for the well received and appreciated guidance and wisdom I promise to keep your legacy alive. Forever learning from you.
Sing on Mr. Hall, sing on.
-Eron Hill
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Julian had been a close friend going back many, many years,(to the early years when he’d establishing his Law Firm in the Cedar Parkade.) He was without a doubt, an extremely astute individual. I want to thank you for taking on the challenge of writing Julian’s “story.”
And yet another timeless quote.‘I am also writing. It is very important that I set out- even if only for my children- a history of what I have gone through and experienced. I am determined to finish it if not by the end of this year, then certainly by the early part of next year.’ – Julian Hall
Sadly, Mr. Hall never got to finish his book. I thought long and hard about it, and I’ve decided to make it a mission of mine to continue my research on this great man, meet with his loved ones and those who worked with and alongside him and write a book on the life of Julian Hall, who is truly a Bermudian icon
Nice piece, a good example of a brilliant man who was blackballed by those he associated with.
Julian was a friend of mine. I owe him my life. If you’d like any input from me, message me on Facebook. I’m pretty easy to find. I look forward to seeing your work.
Well done Mr. Hill. Kudos to you for taking on this task. Julian is definitely a legend
A fascinating man whom I never met and always wish that I had. Read on and learn well young buck – nice column!
Nice opinion piece about a remarkably intelligent and charismatic man, but the term “rose coloured glasses” comes to mind.