Lawyer Profile
James D. Murphy
Calgary, Alberta
Overview
University of Calgary, Bachelor of Laws, 2003 University of Alberta, Bachelor of Arts (with Distinction), Political Science/Philosophy, 1999 Bar admission: Alberta 2004
James's focus is on complex, high-stakes litigation in a wide range of practice areas and industries, including:
From 2011 to 2017 he was also a guest Instructor at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law Trial Advocacy Course.
James has also presented at various conferences, panels, seminars, and other events, including:
Lead counsel to a shareholder in a $95M Arbitration against a major Feedlot and Farming Company. The Arbitration included allegations of corporate oppression, the unlawful sale of all or substantially all of its asset of the corporation (i.e. fundamentally changed its core business) without shareholder approval and the wrongful termination of the former Chairman of the Board and CEO. The dispute was settled before Arbitration.
Lead counsel to DIRTT Environmental Solutions Ltd. and others in a very substantial multi-million dollar claim against its founders, their new company and other former executives and employees. In this dispute there are complex issues, including contractual restrictive covenants, fiduciary duties, common law employment duties and conspiracy to commit an unlawful act. DIRTT has been successful in various pre-trial applications: see 2021 ABQB 252; 2022 ABKB 637 and 2022 ABKB 787. This Action has been scheduled for an 8-week Trial starting in February 2026.
Lead counsel to a beneficiary named in the Estate of a recently deceased Justice of the Court of King's Bench regarding the disposition of his $5M Estate.
Lead counsel to high profile energy brokerage, NE2 Canada Inc., in a hotly contested dispute with two former executives, 5 former brokers and the new energy brokerage they started. This case involves complex and multi-faceted legal claims raising issues regarding the freedom of expression, the lawful role of the media in litigation, alleged breaches of contractual restrictive covenants and fiduciary duties, a conspiracy. This case received extensive media coverage by Bloomberg and other media outlets. NE2 has been successful in multiple pre-trial applications: see 2024 ABKB 637. This Action has not yet been scheduled for Trial.
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 2004 (AB)