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James J. Heelan KC

Partner

Partner | Email

T: 780.917.4275

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Edmonton

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Heelan James
 
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T: 780.917.4275


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Edmonton

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James Heelan has extensive experience in a broad range of litigation and regulatory matters. He has been recognized as a leading lawyer in the areas of corporate commercial litigation, employment law, medical negligence and professional liability by Lexpert and was named in Lexpert's Special Edition on Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers and in Lexpert's Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross Border Litigation Lawyers. Most recently, James has been named 2023 Edmonton Lawyer of the Year in Bet-the-Company Litigation by Best Lawyers and was recognized by Chambers Canada.

His practice has a particular focus on:

  • Corporate/Commercial disputes;
  • Representation of financial institutions and investment advisors;
  • Employment matters; 
  • Professional negligence and regulatory matters for a variety of professionals including accountants and lawyers with a particular emphasis on assisting physicians; and
  • Assistance to Public Office holders and officials in navigating election laws,  conflicts of interest and ethics matters. In this regard, he has acted on matters before the Alberta Ethics Commissioner and Elections Alberta. He has also assisted Public Office holders in defamation matters.

James has appeared before all levels of courts in Alberta and courts in several other provinces. He has also appeared before various arbitration panels, public inquiries and regulatory bodies, including the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, Securities Commissions, the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), the Mutual Funds Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA) and the Alberta Human Rights Commission.

James has extensive mediation experience and acts as a mediator. As a further commitment to his work as a mediator, he completed training in Mediation and Conflict Management through Harvard Law School in 2022.

As a former managing partner of the Edmonton office of Bennett Jones, James brings considerable management experience and a business perspective to client issues.

He has served as a Governor of the University of Alberta, a Director with Covenant Health, a Director of the Friends of the Jubilee Auditoria, a Governor of Newman Theological College and a Director of Prospects Literacy Association.

He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2005.

Education

University of Alberta, BA, 1988 University of Alberta, LLB, 1991 

Bar Admissions

Alberta, 1992

Recent Experience

An Investment Advisor before the Alberta Securities Commission in relation to allegations of market manipulation. 2019 ABASC 89
A former Investment Advisor before the Alberta Securities Commission acting as a Dealing Representative when his registration had been suspended. 2019 ABASC 58
Physicians in the defence of a medical malpractice action related to obstetrical care. 2019 ABQB 171, 2018 ABQB 486
A leading investment brokerage and individual investment advisor in the successful defence of a $3.1 million claim alleging breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duties. 2015 ABQB 354, 2017 ABQB 354, 2018 ABCA 153.
Various medical professionals and regional health centres in proceedings relating to the successful defence of a medical malpractice Action. 2018 ABQB 486.
A leading plastics and plastic resin manufacturer, in the successful defence of a multi-million dollar claim in breach of contract. 2014 ABQB 422.
An individual member of a First Nations Band in a proceeding relating to an Action for breach of contract arising from the Nation's land claim. 2015 ABQB 101.
A leading investment brokerage defending claims of breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duties in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. 2018 BCSC 1966, 2017 BCSC 2128.
A large charitable organization in their successful defence of a claim for declaratory relief. 2018 ABQB 8, 2019 ABCA 399.
A plaintiff law firm in a defamation Action against a large media corporation. 2016 ABQB 692, 2017 ABQB 687.
A leading investment brokerage and an individual branch manager in a successful settlement proceeding before the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (2018 IIROC).
An individual investment advisor in successful settlement proceedings before the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. 2018 IIROC 12.
Physicians in their successful defence of a medical malpractice Action, including appearances at the Alberta Court of Appeal. 2007 ABQB 577, 2008 ABQB 259, 2010 ABCA 64, 2010 ABCA 190.
An individual investment advisor before the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada in successful settlement proceedings. 2018 CANLII 65330 (CA MFDAC).
Several physicians in their successful defence against claims of medical malpractice at the Court of Queen's Bench and Court of Appeal. 1999 ABQB 912, 2001 ABCA 260, 2004 ABCA 4, 2004 ABCA 267, 2004 ABCA 345.
An individual investment advisor before the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada in settlement proceedings. 2017 IIROC 23.

Recent Recognition

Best Lawyers - Canada
2023 Lawyer of the Year, Bet-the-Company Litigation
Recognized for Bet-the-Company Litigation and Corporate and Commercial Litigation
Chambers Canada
Ranked, Healthcare: Contentious
Lexpert Special Edition—Canada's Leading Health Sciences Lawyers

Recognized as a leading Health Sciences lawyer

Lexpert Special Edition - Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers
Recognized as one of Canada’s leading Litigators
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Consistently Recommended, Litigation – Corporate Commercial; Medical Negligence – Represents Defendants
Repeatedly Recommended, Employment Law – Employer; Professional Liability
LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell
Received a BV Distinguished Peer Review Rating
Lexpert Guide to the Leading U.S./Canada Cross-border Litigation Lawyers in Canada
Recognized as one of Canada's leading Cross-Border litigators

Insights, News & Events

Speaking Engagements

Evidence for Litigators Program With the Advocates' Society

February 08, 2023
       

Speaking Engagements

Alternative Methods for Handling Shareholder Disputes

October 24, 2022
       

Blog

Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada Announces Amalgamation with Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada

October 19, 2022
       

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