GUELPH LAWYERS SMITHVALERIOTE LLP
jmurray@smithvaleriote.com
Voice: 519 837 2100 x 312
James grew up in the nearby Town of Erin. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph graduating with an Honours Bachelor degree as the student with the highest standing in his program. From there, James went on to obtain an LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. After completing his law school degree James returned to Guelph to complete his articles with SmithValeriote and was called to the Ontario Bar in June 2008.
James’ primary practice area is civil litigation with a focus on commercial disputes, construction lien matters, insurance claims, personal injury and collections. James has appeared in all levels of Ontario court including the Ontario Court of Appeal, Divisional Court, Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Justice, Provincial Offences Court and the Small Claims Court. James has successfully argued appeals in the Divisional Court and conducted trials in both the Superior Court of Justice and the Small Claims Court. James was counsel on Luis Rodrigues v. London Condominium Corporation No. 21I, a noteworthy decision from the London Small Claims Court dealing with a Director’s right to indemnity and reported on in Issue 2, Fall 2009, of the Canadian Condominium Institute Review. Recently, his article “Bill 118, Countering Distracted Driving: Time for employers to implement or update policies on the use of wireless devices while driving,” was featured in Moving Business Forward published by the Guelph Chamber of Commerce.
James also maintains an active practice in residential real estate regularly acting on purchases and sales of residential real estate and refinances.
In his spare time, James can be found writing and recording his own music or listening to jazz greats like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday