Research interests
- Refugee Law
- International Human Rights Law
- Administrative Law
James is studying international human rights law with a focus on refugee law under the supervision of Prof. John Packer. A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, James is a civil litigator who formerly served in policy and adjudicative roles in the federal government.
At Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, James worked on the Balanced Refugee Reform Act, which replaced Cabinet-appointed Members with public-servant adjudicators at the Refugee Protection Division of the IRB, and implemented a Refugee Appeal Division.
At Employment and Social Development Canada, James worked in the area of elder law and seniors policy on issues including public pensions, substitute decision-making, elder abuse, and housing. He worked in collaboration with the McConnell Foundation to develop the "collective impact" model of contribution agreement funding and on a partnership between the Government of Canada and the United Way's 211 information service.