James Harnum
Partner
Practice Area
Expertise
Pension and Benefit Issues in Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Public Sector Pension and Benefit Plans, Pension and Benefit Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings, Multi-Employer Pension and Benefit Plans, Employment Standards
Called to the Bar
Ontario, 2011
James Harnum provides counsel to unions, employees and boards of trustees on all aspects of pension and benefits administration and litigation. A significant part of his practice involves assisting employees of insolvent companies in recovering amounts owed to them, whether for wages, severance pay or post-retirement benefits. James also has experience in litigation involving the intersection of constitutional rights with labour and pension law. He has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario.
James has served as an adjunct professor at Western University Law School, teaching the Pension and Benefits course. He has also lectured on pension law at the University of Toronto, Osgoode Hall and Queens. He is an editor of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans’ Legal and Legislative Reporter, a frequent contributor to other industry publications and a regular speaker at conferences. James is also a member of the Ontario Bar Association’s Pension and Benefits Law Section Executive.
James graduated in the top two per cent of his class at Osgoode Hall Law School, and is a proud alumnus of the Workers’ Rights Division at Parkdale Community Legal Services. He articled at the Court of Appeal for Ontario, where he clerked for Justice Eileen Gillese and Associate Chief Justice Dennis O’Connor.
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Experience
- Nortel Networks
- Target Canada Corporation
- US Steel Canada Inc.
- Sears Canada Inc.
- Danier Leather Inc.
- Hollinger Canadian Publishing Holdings Co.
- The Shaw Group Inc.
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Education
J.D., 2010, Osgoode Hall Law School
B.A., 2006, University of Toronto
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Memberships / Affiliations
Member, Canadian Bar Association
Member, Ontario Bar Association
Member-at-Large, Ontario Bar Association Pension and Benefits Law Section Executive
Member, Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers
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James's Publications
- Legislative Developments and the Top 20 Cases of 2019 - 2020
- Legislative Developments and the Top 20 Cases of 2018 - 2019
- Legislative Developments and the Top 20 Cases of 2017 - 2018
- Legislative Developments and the Top 20 Cases of 2016 - 2017
- Legislative Developments and the Top 20 Cases of 2015 - 2016
- Legislative Developments and the Top 20 Cases of 2014 - 2015
- Legislative Developments and the Top 20 Cases of 2013 - 2014
- Legislative Developments and the Top 20 Cases of 2012 - 2013
- Deriving the Right to Water from the Right to Life, Liberty and Security of the Person: Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Aboriginal Communities in Canada
