About James

James is the Chief Innovation Officer at McInnes Cooper, where he leads the firm’s innovation strategy with a passion for pioneering new approaches in the legal industry. As both a Partner and Office Lead Partner in the Saint John office, James brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to his role.

Focusing on corporate and business law, James provides comprehensive legal services tailored to meet the diverse needs of his clients. With a keen interest in establishing effective business structures and facilitating various transactions, James is committed to delivering innovative solutions that drive success. He is known for his adeptness in creating customized project structures to scale large client projects efficiently.

James’s client portfolio includes numerous large corporations and quasi-governmental entities. He is recognized for his ability to develop bespoke technological advancements, streamlining legal processes to enhance productivity and efficiency. By implementing custom-made technological solutions, James empowers lawyers to deliver high-quality results promptly, while providing clients with transparent progress monitoring through intuitive dashboards.

James’s academic background includes a B.Com (Honours) in Economics from Mount Allison University and an LL.B. from the University of New Brunswick. He remains dedicated to lifelong learning, holding certifications from Osgoode Law in “Blockchain, Smart Contracts, and the Law” (2019) and “Privacy and Cybersecurity Law” (2022).

In addition to his professional commitments, James actively engages with the legal community as a member of the Saint John Law Society, the New Brunswick Law Society, and the Canadian Bar Association. He also contributes to the community as a valued member of the Board of Directors of the Saint John Sea Dogs Foundation.

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers® Canada for his practice in Real Estate Law (since 2019) and in Corporate Law (since 2020)

Appointments & Community Involvement

  • Board of Directors for the 2022 Memorial Cup Saint John Host Company Inc.
  • Board of Directors for the Saint John Sea Dogs Foundation
  • Former Board Member of the St Croix Estuary Project Inc., 2014-2017

Education

  • Certificate in Privacy and Cybersecurity Law, Osgoode Hall Law School (York University) (2022)
  • Certificate in Blockchain, Smart Contracts and the Law, Osgoode Hall Law School (2019)
  • LL.B., University of New Brunswick (2006)
  • B.Com (Hons.), Mount Allison University (2003)

Bar Admissions

  • New Brunswick (2007)

Languages

  • English