James is a lawyer focusing his practice on business law, estate planning and commercial transactions. James attended two law schools obtaining both Canadian and U.S. law degrees.
Practice Areas:
Business Law:
James represents corporations, partnerships and sole proprietorships on a variety of issues, including:
- Incorporation and partnership structuring;
- Contract negotiations and joint venture agreements;
- Business acquisitions including share and assets agreements;
- Employment, human rights and labour law;
- Best business practices, marketing and compliance with federal/provincial employment and other business standards.
Estate and Business Succession Planning:
He represents individuals and families in the probate and estate planning process, including:
- Establishing a Will, enduring power of attorney or personal health directive;
- Farm and business succession planning;
- Structuring trusts and inter-vivos transfers of property;
- Probate and estate administration.
Real Estate and Secured Transactions:
James represents individuals and businesses in real estate transfers, lending and secured transactions, including:
- Commercial and residential transfers of real estate;
- Farm and corporate transfers of real estate;
- Leases of commercial buildings, farm properties and oil and gas rights;
- Securing assets and debt.
Qualifications:
James holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit (2007); a Law degree from the University of Windsor (2007); a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University (2002) and an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts (with honours) from the Riverland Community College (1997).
Biography:
James was born in Alberta Lea, Minnesota. By age 12 he was working regularly with his father on the family farm, presently incorporated as J & M Riverview Farms LLC ("Riverview Farms"). At Riverview Farms, James operated a cash crop farming enterprise in partnership with his brothers and father. Experiences at Riverview Farms helped James learn the practical issues related to protecting a business such as partnership formation, use of insurance, trusts, commercial sales and marketing. Additionally, James gained experience in securing input costs through the use of commodities hedging, contracting and bidding.
James began attending Riverland Community College at age 16 while continuing to work at Riverview Farms and received an Associates Degree in 1997. James then served a two year mission for his faith, in Colorado and Wyoming. Thereafter he attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he received a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Psychology and also receiving an English minor. Shortly thereafter, James moved to Ottawa, Ontario where he worked for two years as an intellectual property law clerk at a Canadian international law firm.
James then began attending law school at the combined University of Detroit Mercy and University of Windsor law schools in Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario obtaining the degrees of Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Laws, respectively. James articled with Warren Sinclair following completion of law school and was admitted to the Law Society of Alberta in 2008.
James enjoys spending time with his wife, Christine and their four children, Matthew, Joshua, Adele and Christian. In his spare time, James enjoys hiking, skiing, cycling and working on the family farm in Minnesota.
Professional Memberships and Community Involvement:
James is a member of the following professional organizations:
- Red Deer Chamber of Commerce;
- J Reuben Clark Law Society;
- Central Alberta Bar Association;
- BYU Management Society of Central Alberta.
James is a lawyer focusing his practice on business law, estate planning and commercial transactions. James attended two law schools obtaining both Canadian and U.S. law degrees.