James D. MacNeil

Jamie is the immediate past CEO and Managing Partner of the firm. His practice is primarily focused on Construction Law and Commercial Litigation. He has provided advice and litigated construction cases involving lien claims and disputes, bidding and tendering issues, delay claims, negligence, contract disputes, design issues, building deficiencies, etc. He has also represented clients in many arbitration and mediation cases. Jamie is included in The Best Lawyers in Canada publication for both Construction Law and Commercial Litigation, and has been listed each year since 2016.

In addition to his construction law practice, Jamie has acted for clients in disputes involving property litigation, employment law, landlord and tenant (both commercial and residential) disputes, securities litigation, collection matters, some environmental law issues, shareholder disputes, and many other forms of commercial litigation and contractual disputes.

Jamie has appeared at all levels of court in Nova Scotia, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland & Labrador, the New Brunswick Court of Queen’s Bench, and the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island, as well as the Tax Court of Canada and both the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal. Jamie has also successfully argued and appeared before the Regional Assessment Appeal Court, Workers’ Compensation Board, Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal, Labour Standards Tribunal, Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, National Energy Board and various other boards and tribunals. He is a frequent speaker on builders’ liens, construction law, collection practices, and various other litigation issues and matters.

Jamie is a Board Member of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia and is a former Board Member and Vice Chair of Events East Group. He is also a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, the Law Society of New Brunswick, the Law Society of Newfoundland & Labrador, the Construction Association of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Bar Association. Jamie is also the firm’s TAG Alliances representative and is the co-chair of that organization’s Best Practices and Firm Management specialty group.

Jamie is a fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers. This is an invitation only organization that recognizes accomplished construction lawyers in Canada. In 2019, he was selected as a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America (CLSA). The CLSA is an invitation-only international honorary association composed of preeminent lawyers in construction law and related fields.

Background

Education

• 2000: LL.B., University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick
• 1993: Bachelor of Arts, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Employment

• 2022 – Present: Partner, BOYNECLARKE LLP, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
• 2012 – 2022: Managing Partner, BOYNECLARKE LLP, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
• 2010 – 2012: Sessional Instructor/Part-Time Faculty (Civil Training Workshops), Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law, Halifax, Nova Scotia
• 2007 – 2012: Partner, BOYNECLARKE LLP, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
• 2001 – 2006: Associate Lawyer, BOYNECLARKE LLP, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
• 2000 – 2001: Articled Clerk, BOYNECLARKE LLP, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Professional Memberships

• Fellowship – Canadian College of Construction Lawyers
• Fellowship – Construction Lawyers Society of America
• Member – Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
• Member – Law Society of New Brunswick
• Member – Law Society of Newfoundland & Labrador
• Member – Canadian Bar Association
• Fellow – Construction Lawyers Society of America
• Member – Halifax Chamber of Commerce
• Former Member – TEC Canada

Community Activities

• Board Member – Construction Association of Nova Scotia
• Board Member – Events East Group
• Former Volunteer – Halifax Hawks Minor Hockey Association
• Past Board Member – Halifax Convention Centre Corporation
• Former Coach – Dunbrack Youth Soccer
• Past Committee Member – Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia (BIANS) Annual Golf Classic (2001-2005)
• Volunteer – Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia (2000-2006)
• Former Board Member – Alderney Landing Association

Publications

• BOYNECLARKE LLP Law Letter: Builders’ Liens
• BOYNECLARKE LLP Law Letter: Small Claims Court

Presentations

• Frequent speaker on Builders’ Liens and various litigation topics.

Awards and Honours

• Fellowship – Canadian College of Construction Lawyers (2021)
• Fellowship – Construction Lawyers Society of America (2019)
• Included in The Best Lawyers in Canada published by Best Lawyers® (2016-2023) for Construction Law
• Included in The Best Lawyers in Canada published by Best Lawyers® (2016-2022) for Corporate and Commercial Litigation
• Listed in Benchmark Litigation since 2017 for Construction Law and Commercial Litigation