Labor Union Advocacy

For several years, Bill worked alongside our firm with a singular purpose: to help the hardworking men and women of organized labor. While much of his work was devoted to supporting members of the bricklayers union, his commitment extended far beyond any one trade or organization. If someone was a union worker diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, Bill wanted to be there for them.

That commitment was more than a job to Bill. It was a calling.

Bill devoted his life to advocating for working people. He understood the sacrifices union members make to provide for their families, the pride they take in their trades, and the importance of standing together when one of their own needs support. He built relationships throughout the labor community not simply as a representative of our firm, but as someone who genuinely cared about the people he met and the challenges they faced.

His passing leaves a tremendous void for those of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.

“Bill had an extraordinary commitment to the men and women of organized labor, and that commitment was evident in everything he did,” said SWMW Law Ben Schmickle. “He cared deeply about working people and spent years making sure they knew they had someone in their corner. Bill built relationships based on trust, respect, and a genuine desire to help others. We are incredibly grateful for everything he did for our firm, and more importantly, for the countless union members and families whose lives he touched. We will miss him greatly, and we will honor his legacy by continuing the work that meant so much to him.”

At SWMW Law, our relationship with organized labor has always been about more than our legal work. It is about standing beside the people who built our communities, supporting workers and their families, and being there when they need an advocate.

Bill embodied that commitment.

Although he is no longer here to continue that work with us, the relationships he built and the example he set will remain an important part of our firm. In his absence, we will continue to stand with organized labor and do everything we can to support the hardworking men and women Bill spent so much of his life advocating for.

We extend our deepest condolences to Bill’s family, friends, colleagues, and the many members of the labor community who knew and loved him.

We are grateful for the years we had with Bill, proud of the work he accomplished, and honored to carry forward his commitment to working people.