In Memoriam: Jim Thistle

It is with great sadness that McInnes Cooper advises of the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Jim Thistle, on March 3, 2016, after a mercifully brief battle with ALS.

Jim was a friend and bright light with his co-workers in our St. John’s office and throughout our firm.  Jim was respected both locally and nationally as a leading practitioner in public law litigation and resource development, with his immeasurable experience in energy and natural resources, aboriginal, and environmental law. Jim served as Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General for Newfoundland & Labrador.  He played a key role in the 1985 Atlantic Accord that set the stage for development of this province’s offshore oil and gas industry.  He was subsequently appointed as General Counsel for the Hibernia offshore oil project.  In private practice Jim worked on several major resource projects, in North America and internationally.

Every major oil and gas and mining company doing business in Newfoundland and Labrador had the privilege of working with Jim. As a highly respected litigator, Jim served as counsel before all levels of court and tribunals in Canada.  He was a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. 

And Jim certainly was much bigger than his law practice.  He adored spending time with his family, running with his dog, and promoting his political party.  He was a wine aficionado like no other, a philosopher, a poet, an engaging story teller, a natural comedian, a straight shooter, and a true intellectual. 

Jim’s legacy includes the dozens of lawyers he mentored throughout his career.  He has enriched the lives of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.  We have been privileged to know and work with Jim during his all too short a life with us. He will be greatly missed.

In recognition of the memory and life of Jim Thistle, and to enable his many colleagues to attend the memorial service, McInnes Cooper’s St. John’s office will be closed for the day Tuesday, March 8.

“LIFE IS EXCELLENT” – Jim Thistle