TRIBUTES FOR LEGAL LEGEND
Legal fraternity mourns loss of ‘heart-and-soul’ mentor
A PROMINENT Gold Coast legal figure and Aussie rules fanatic is being remembered as a “selfless, heart-and-soul” man.
Scott Anthony Reid, a partner at national firm MinterEllison, passed away suddenly in his sleep last Friday.
The 52-year-old’s death has come as a huge shock to those who knew him.
The head of MinterEllison’s litigation and dispute resolution team on the Gold Coast and father of three held numerous roles in commercial litigation and legal managerial roles in banking and government.
Mr Reid came to the Coast in 2006 and became heavily involved in the push for the city to win an AFL licence.
Known for his capacity to mentor junior lawyers, Mr Reid also sat on the Bond Law School Advisory Board.
MinterEllison partner Ken Petty said Mr Reid was “selfless, a real heart-and-soul person”.
“He was not interested in material possessions or accolades, he was interested in people and deep relationships inside and outside of MinterEllison,” Mr Petty said.
“He was so very passionate about people, he genuinely cared and took a long-term interest in helping many, including me, to be a better person or to achieve a particular outcome.”
Mr Petty described Mr Reid as an intuitive leader and lawyer who understood the responsibility to humanity that came with it.
“He loved his community, his network and they loved him.”
Gold Coast business figure John Witheriff said Mr Reid often gave his time freely to those in need of legal help.
“He did it very quietly, but he spent a lot of time at the Bond legal service clinic helping people, especially small business people who couldn’t afford a lawyer.”
Despite Mr Reid’s passion for the Suns, for which he helped secure the licence, the Richmond Tigers were always his “first love”.
“It was Scott’s passion that was behind the push for the Gold Coast team, but it was always a source of concern for me I was unable to switch his allegiance,” Mr Witheriff laughed.
Adam Merlehan, the managing director of the Merlehan Group, also worked with Mr Reid during his time at MinterEllison.
“Scott was an amazing mentor and friend,” he said.
“Aside for his exceptional legal talent, he will be remembered for his deep care and compassion for others.
“Scott had a wonderful perspective on what really matters in life and got people to smile and not sweat the small stuff.
“He had a profound ability to connect deeply with all he met, from every walk of life.
“Scott enriched the lives of so many and will be missed dearly. I am certainly one of them.”
Before coming to the Gold Coast, Mr Reid worked in PNG and Samoa for more than 14 years.
Despite his commitment to the Gold Coast he remained involved in PNG community matters.
He held the role of chairman of AFL PNG Limited, operating the largest and most successful sporting development program in PNG and was a member of the PNG institute of company directors.
A funeral service for Mr Reid will be held in Melbourne tomorrow at the Balwyn North Uniting Church.
Another celebration of his life for his Queensland friends and colleagues is expected to be held next week on the Gold Coast.