James Renihan

James Renihan stands out as a distinguished partner within the Toronto-based litigation and disputes division, where his prowess as a commercial litigator is both innovative and effective. His legal battles span across various commercial and civil arenas, showcasing a talent for navigating complex contracts, tackling issues of director and officer liability, unraveling fraud, defending shareholder rights, and resolving disputes in commercial real estate and franchise relationships. James doesn't shy away from employment litigation, representing both sides with equal fervor, and his expertise extends to defending and prosecuting in professional negligence cases.

His knack for dissecting intricate legal theories as effortlessly as he does fact-heavy cases sets him apart. James's legal journey is marked by a series of high-stakes trials, appeals, and arbitrations, alongside urgent motions for relief across Ontario's judicial levels, with notable appearances in Federal Courts and the British Columbia Supreme Court. Before his current role, he honed his skills at a prestigious litigation boutique in Toronto and a major international law firm in New York, after clerking for the Ontario Court of Appeal's judges.

In his capacity as the Toronto local chair for the litigation and disputes group, James has steered clients through turbulent legal waters. His achievements include safeguarding a retail group from a landlord's overreach in a shopping mall tenancy agreement, shielding a leading homebuilder from a $3 million development charge, and offering crucial legal insights as Amicus Curiae during the COVID-19 pandemic on tolling limitation periods. His strategic litigation has protected business interests, like securing an injunction for a real estate firm against premature contract terminations and overturning restrictive covenants for a property management company.

James's legal acumen has not gone unnoticed, with accolades including consistent recognition by Best Lawyers in Canada for Franchise Law and nods in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for his litigation expertise. His future promise was highlighted early in his career with a Lexpert Rising Star award, acknowledging his status as a leading lawyer under 40.

His academic background is equally impressive, with a J.D. from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, complemented by a philosophy degree from McGill University. James's legal career is underpinned by bar admissions in both Ontario and New York, alongside active memberships in the Ontario Bar Association, New York Bar Association, and The Advocates' Society, reflecting his commitment to the legal profession across borders. His participation in the Canadian National Jessup International Law Moot team further exemplifies his dedication to legal excellence.