Bill Adamson was born on the Westside of Vancouver, where he graduated from high school at Lord Byng Secondary in 1955. He attended UBC, an easy choice of university due to its proximity. His choice of major was easy one too, given his lack of interest or aptitude in Sciences, Engineering, or Teaching, the natural remaining choice was Commerce or Law. He chose Law and graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1962.
He articled to George Van Roggen at Douglas, Symes & Brissenden. He rarely saw his principle as Van Roggen was an important Liberal organizer in British Columbia, and Adamson's year of articles included two federal elections and a provincial election. He stayed with the Firm for 29 years, practicing primarily in the areas of Real Property and Commerical Real Estate. In 1990 he left the firm to work in-house for his prime client, Laing Property Corporation. When the Company was sold by its English parent in 1998, Mr. Adamson chose to retire.
He enjoys spending his spare time playing golf, and is a member of the Point Grey Golf Club.