2009 James MacLellan

James MacLellan graduated from Brock University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Business Administration.  He had entered Brock as an early admission grade 12 student and soon found his place in the encouraging, enabling environment of Brock.  In addition to his courses, he enjoyed his participation with the intercollegiate volleyball team.  Long lasting friendships developed during his time at Brock as well as respect for the dedicated business faculty members.

Following graduation, James was employed by The Guarantee Company of North America in the Contract Surety Department as a financial analyst and then as a surety claims adjuster.  In September 1990, he began law school at the University of Windsor and after graduating in 1993 was called to the bar in January 1995.

James has spent his legal career at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (formerly known as Borden & Elliott), Canada’s largest national law firm with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Waterloo, Ottawa and Montreal.  He was made a Partner at BLG in 2001.

James specializes in construction and surety law.  This work includes both litigation as well as corporate/commercial matters.  On behalf of his clients, he has appeared in all levels of the Court in Ontario and in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.  In addition to his surety practice, James advises institutional clients on their infrastructure and capital redevelopment programs providing project delivery, procurement, contract drafting and day-to-day contract administration advice.  In 2009, James was listed in the construction law section of the “Best Lawyers in Canada”.

James is a Visiting Lecturer for the Surety and Construction Law Course at the School of Continuing Studies – University of Toronto, sponsored by the Surety Association of Canada.  He is a long standing member of the executive of the Construction Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association and is currently serving as Chair. James is a frequent speaker at construction and surety industry conferences, including Canadian Construction Association, Surety Association of Canada and Building Innovation Leading Development (Residential Home Builders Association).

James has continued to maintain his ties with the Goodman School of Business through participation in the committee organizing the annual Golf Tournament. which raises funds for Brock business student programs and scholarships. 

James lives in Oakville with his wife Heidi (Brock, B.A., 1988) and their two children.