Attorney for Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, Providence Equity Partners, and Madison Dearborn Capital Partners in the context of the contestation by a group of bondholders of one of the most important privatizations in history. The contestation was dismissed by the Superior Court following over 30 days of trial, which made it one of the most important and complex “real-time” litigations in Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada unanimously upheld the decision of the Superior Court, in BCE Inc. v. 1976 Debentureholders, [2008] 3 S.C.R. 560.

Attorney for a group of Quebec corporations holding in the aggregate over $1 billion of frozen Asset-Backed Commercial Paper (ABCP) in contesting the plan of arrangement under the CCAA for the restructuring of the $32 billion Canadian non-bank ABCP market.

Securing awards in damages in excess of $82M in capital against a satellite television broadcaster for having neglected to act to eradicate the piracy of its television signals, in Vidéotron s.e.n.c. v. Bell ExpressVu LP, 2015 QCCA 422.

Attorney for Manulife Corporation in a major securities class action alleging improper disclosure to the market.

Attorney for Saputo Inc. and Lino Saputo Sr. in a multi-million dollar libel lawsuit instituted against the Canadian media.

Attorney for Quebecor Inc., Quebecor Média Inc., Vidéotron ltée, and Pierre Karl Péladeau in a libel suit against the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Sylvain Lafrance, and Robert Rabinovitch.

Attorney for a major global provider of catering services for aircrafts and trains in the context of a complex commercial arbitration.

Attorney for KPMG LLP in defense against a multi-million dollar claim against the auditors of a corporation.

Attorney for Ernst & Young in defense against a multi-million dollar claim against the auditors of a corporation.

Attorney for Yellow Group in injunction proceedings taken against Bell Canada to force the continuation of telecommunication services.

Successful contestation of a class action, on the merits, against a retailer in the field of movie rentals, in Buonamici v. Blockbuster Canada Co., [2007] R.J.Q. 776 (C.A.); AZ-50271216 (S.C.).

Appointed by the Supreme Court of Canada as Amicus Curiae, in Bank of Nova Scotia v. Thibault, [2004] 1 S.C.R. 758 (S.C.C.).

Obtained the dismissal of the Motion for authorization to commence a class action presented by Mr. Mario del Guidice against Honda Canada Inc., in Del Guidice v. Honda Canada Inc., [2007] 6 R.J.Q. 1496 (C.A.), conf. J.E. 2005-1302 (S.C.).

Obtained the confirmation of the implied undertaking of confidentiality rule in examinations for discovery in Quebec, upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada, in Lac d’Amiante du Québec, ltée v. 2858-0702 Québec inc., 2001 SCC 51; [2001] 2 S.C.R. 743.

Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Litigation Counsel of America, the Federation of Defence and Corporate Counsel, and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (London)

Named by Lexpert magazine in 2013 as one of the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada

Best Lawyers 2013 – Montreal, Corporate and Commercial Litigation

Best Lawyers 2012 – Montreal, Bet-the Company, Litigation

Recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada in Bet-The-Company Litigation, corporate and commercial litigation, defamation and media law, directors' and officers' liability, labour and employment law, legal malpractice law, securities law, class actions litigation, appellate practice, international arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, since 2006

Named by Lexpert magazine in 2012 as one of the most frequently recommended lawyers

Named by Lexpert magazine in 2012 as one of the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada

Named by Lexpert magazine in 2012 as one of the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Litigators in Canada

Named by Lexpert magazine in 2011 as one of the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada

Named by Lexpert magazine in 2010 as one of the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Litigators in Canada

Named by Lexpert magazine in 2009 as one of the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Litigators in Canada

Named by Lexpert magazine in 2008 as one of the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada

Named by Lexpert magazine in 2007 as one of the Leading 500 Litigation Lawyers in Canada

Named by Lexpert magazine in 2006 as one of the 100 most creative lawyers

Named by Lexpert magazine in 2005 as one of the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada

Named by Lexpert magazine in 2005 as one of the Leading 100 Canada/US Cross-Border Litigators in Canada

Recipient of the James A. Robb award, McGill University, Faculty of Law

1975        Université d'Aix-Marseille
                MacDonald Travelling Scholarship – McGill University (Comparative Law) 

1974        McGill University, Faculty of Law
                B.C.L. (1973), LL.B. (1974)
                Benjamin Robinson Memorial Prize - 1st Place Standing, National Program

1970        McGill University
                B.A. Honours in Economics and Political Science

TEACHING AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

2005 International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda: trial advocacy training

2004-2012 Chairman, Law Faculty Advisory Board, McGill University

Since 2000 Adjunct Professor, McGill University, Faculty of Law

1999-2000 Chairman, sub-committee of the Joint Committee of the Quebec Bar and Chamber of Notaries respecting the English version of the Civil Code of Quebec: Book 7: Evidence

Since 1998 Governor of the Quebec Bar Foundation

Since 1997 Co-Editor, Corporate Litigation, Federated Press

1993-2002 Sessional Lecturer – McGill University, Faculty of Engineering,  “The Law for Architects and Engineers”

1992-1998 Member of the Task Force on Economic Consequences of Litigation World Wide, International Bar Association

Since 1991 Member of the Law Faculty Advisory Board, McGill University

1990-1998 Canada Co-Chair, International Litigation Sub-Committee, International Bar Association

Since 1987 Sessional Lecturer – McGill University, Faculty of Law, “Trial Advocacy – Civil Litigation”

1984-1987 Sessional Lecturer – McGill University, Faculty of Law, “Civil Procedure”

ASSOCIATIONS

Barreau de Paris
Law Society of England and Wales
Quebec Bar
Canadian Bar Association
Law Society of Upper Canada
Law Society of British Columbia
Law Society of Alberta
Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America
Diversity Law Institute, LCA
The Trial Law Institute, LCA
American Association for Justice
American Bar Association
International Bar Association
American Arbitration Association
London Court of International Arbitration
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (London)
Fellow of the Federation of Defence and Corporate Counsel
Canadian Commercial Arbitration Centre  
The Advocates' Society

LexisNexis LégisPratique, Marie-Louise Delisle, James A. Woods & the Honourable Joseph R. Nuss, Q.C., Code de procédure civile annoté – Arbitration Section, Editions 2008 to 2013.

Dispute Resolution, Marie-Louise Delisle, James A. Woods & Christopher Richter, in Getting the Deal Through – Canada-Quebec Section, Editions 2009 to 2013.

Secret professionnel de l’avocat et transaction commerciale complexe : un privilège relatif aux négociations?, James A. Woods & Eric Bédard, Développements récents en droit des affaires, vol 371, Yvon Blais, 2013.

La responsabilité des administrateurs et membres de la direction, James A. Woods, Federated Press Conference, Montreal, May, 2012.

International Commercial Arbitration: the Equitable Jurisdiction of Arbitral Tribunals – the Québec Perspective, James A. Woods & Samuel Bachand, ADR Institute of Canada National Annual Conference, Halifax, 2012.

Top 10 Cases of the Last 20 Years, James A. Woods, 4th Annual Class Action Symposium, Ontario Bar Association, Toronto, 2012.

Les 25 ans de la réforme de l’arbitrage au Québec, James A. Woods, McGill University, Faculty of Law, 2011.

North-American Venues: Pot of Gold or Pandora’s Box?, James A. Woods, IAPCO Conference, 2011.

Quebec, Christopher Richter, James A. Woods & Marie-Louise Delisle, in Getting the Deal Through: Dispute Resolution, Simon Bushell (contributing editor), 2011 at 34.

Le procès : une stratégie gagnante, James A. Woods, Canadian Institute Conference, 2010.

Responsabilité des administrateurs et membres de la direction dans les fusions et acquisitions, James A. Woods, Federated Press Conference, Montreal, November, 2010.

Realities of Modern-Day Litigation: Consulting Expert/Testifying Expert, James A. Woods, KPMG National Forensic Conference, November, 2010.

L’arbitrage d’hier à aujourd’hui : évolution de l’encadrement international, James A. Woods, McGill University, 2010.

Arbitration: Principles, Pathways and Pitfalls, James A. Woods, Honorary President of the Conference, McGill University, Faculty of Law, 2010.

Quebec, Christopher Richter & James A. Woods, in Getting the Deal Through: Dispute Resolution, Simon Bushell (contributing editor), 2010 at 28.

Responsabilité des administrateurs et membres de la direction dans les fusions et acquisitions, James A. Woods, Federated Press Conference, Montreal, October, 2009.

Pleins feux sur les PRD – Du lieu de travail local au marché international, James A. Woods, ADR Institute of Canada Conference, Gatineau, October, 2009.

Ontario and Quebec, Christopher Richter & James A. Woods, in Getting the Deal Through: Dispute Resolution, Simon Bushell (contributing editor), 2009 at 35.

Measuring the Results of Class Actions, Bogdan Catanu & James A. Woods, International Bar Association Conference on Class Actions, Rome, 2007.

Enforcement of International Commercial Arbitral Awards in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, James A. Woods & Bogdan Catanu, First Annual Energy Dispute Resolution Conference, Alberta, 2006.

L'évaluation des dommages lors de recours collectifs : le fil d'Ariane à travers le labyrinthe d'un quantum incertain, James A. Woods, Canadian Institute Conference on Class Actions, 2006.

Une mise à jour sur l'étendue des dommages octroyés dans le cadre d'un recours collectif, James A. Woods, Canadian Institute Conference on Class Actions, 2005.

Impact des scandales financiers : les administrateurs et dirigeants sont moins à l'abri des poursuites, James A. Woods, Insight Conference on Business Law and Business Management, 2005.

The Case for a Uniform Policy of Multiple Defendant Class Actions, James A. Woods, vol VII, no 2, Corporate Litigation, 2004.

L’arbitrage permet-il réellement de régler de manière efficace les litiges commerciaux? Considérations juridiques et pratiques, James A. Woods, Canadian Bar Association Conference, Quebec, 2003.

The Jurisdiction of the Courts of Quebec in National and International Class Actions: a Comparative Analysis With the Approach Adopted in Common Law Provinces, James A. Woods, Insight Conference on Class Actions, Toronto, 2003.

Recours collectifs nationaux et internationaux : compétence des tribunaux québécois, James A. Woods, Insight Conference on Class Actions, 2002.

When a Class Action May Be Brought: the Balance Between Efficiency and Fairness, James A. Woods, vol V, no 1, Corporate Litigation 278, 2001.

The Application of Arbitration Agreements in the Context of Multi-Party Disputes, James A. Woods, vol III, no 2, Corporate Litigation, 1999.

Economic Consequences of Litigation World-Wide, James A. Woods & Charles Platto, Publisher, I.B.A. and Kluwer Law International, 1999.

Les conséquences économiques des litiges, James A. Woods, International Bar Association Conference, Vancouver, 1998.

Les actionnaires victimes d’abus : ce que les tribunaux ne peuvent pas faire – Le divorce corporatif : gestion des conflits entre actionnaires. Comment limiter les dégâts?, James A. Woods, Canadian Bar Association, 1997.

Punitive and Exemplary Damages: BMW and Beyond, James A. Woods, Corporate Litigation, Federated Press, 1997.

Exemplary and Punitive Damages: the Civil Law Hammer, James A. Woods, The Law and You, McGill University, Faculty of Law, 1996.

Going Too Far: Abuse of Rights in Employment Law, James A. Woods, The Law and You, McGill University, Faculty of Law, 1994.

Cross Examination of an Expert Witness, James A. Woods, Canadian Bar Congress Demonstration, Toronto, 1994.

The Economic Dimensions of Civil Litigation and Arbitration in Canada's Market Economy, James A. Woods, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 1993.

Examination and Cross Examination of the Expert Witness, James A. Woods, Young Bar Association of Montreal Presentation, 1993.

Les éléments juridiques de la fraude, James A. Woods, Canadian Institute Conference on Fraudulent Insurance Claims, 1992.

Les fausses représentations et réticences du preneur, James A. Woods, Canadian Institute Conference on Insurance Denial in the Event of a Claim, 1992.

Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments Between Provinces in Canada: the Constitutional Dimensions of the "Real and Substantial Connection" Test From a Quebec Perspective, James A. Woods, 22d Annual Workshop on Commercial and Consumer Law, McGill University, 1992.

Grey Goods: the Canadian Position Including Related Transnational Procedural Problems, James A. Woods, International Bar Association 24th Biennial Conference “Europe 1993 and Beyond,” Cannes, 1992.

Le droit des actionnaires minoritaires, James A. Woods, Canadian Bar Association, Business Law Section, 1991.

The Leveraged Buy-Out: Commercial, Civil and Insurance Fraud Considerations, James A. Woods, Meredith Memorial Lectures, Commercial Crime and Commercial Law, McGill University, Faculty of Law, 1990.

Recent Developments in the Civil Law in the Banker-Client Relationship, James A. Woods, Canadian Institute Conference on Banking Litigation, 1990.

Le contrat entre les parties : prévenir ou guérir, James A. Woods, Canadian Institute Conference on the Law and Construction “Êtes-vous à jour?,” 1990.

Leaks of Underground Storage Tanks: Insurance Guarantees and Civil Responsibility, James A. Woods, Canadian Institute Conference on Managing Underground Storage Tanks and the Environment, 1990.

Le comptable face aux procédures judiciaires, James A. Woods, Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, Seminar on Chartered Accountants’ Professional Liability, 1989.

Cases and Materials on Civil Procedure, James A. Woods, (Toronto: Carswell Legal Publications), 1987.

Les principales réclamations de l'entrepreneur contre le propriétaire, James A. Woods, Insight Conference on Construction Claims, 1987.

Legal Implications of Agreements to Repair as a Means of Settling Claims Against Architects, Engineers or Building Contractors, James A. Woods, 23 Construction Law Reports 187, 1986.

Non-Disclosure, Errors in Unaudited Statements and Other "Deviant" Behaviour: latet anguis in herba, James A. Woods, Meredith Memorial Lectures 66, (Richard De Boo), 1985.