Jim Hodgson practises commercial, corporate and civil litigation. His practice focuses on shareholders' rights, securities litigation, class actions, construction law, product liability and professional liability.
Mr. Hodgson has been involved in a wide range of commercial litigation, representing corporate clients in disputes involving damages for breach of commercial and construction contracts, product liability, civil liability, negligence, shareholders' rights and securities disputes. He has represented clients in a variety of industries, including the automotive, pipeline manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries. He has extensive experience as lead counsel in several high profile cases involving aspects of commercial and securities law both before the courts and the Ontario Securities Commission.
Mr. Hodgson was certified as a civil litigation specialist by the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1990. Prior to joining the firm in 2008, he was a partner of a Toronto litigation boutique of which he was one of the founders.
Selected client work
Mr. Hodgson has acted on behalf of the following clients:
ˇ The co-lead underwriter in YBM Magnex Inc., both before the courts in class action litigation and the Ontario Securities Commission
ˇ Ford Motor Company in valuation and oppression litigation arising out of the going-private transaction involving Ford of Canada
ˇ General contractors in actions against municipalities arising out of the breach of a municipality's duty to treat all tenderers fairly
ˇ Ford Motor Company in multiple product liability cases, including class action litigation
ˇ Johnson & Johnson in multiple product liability cases with respect to birth control pills
ˇ Tracks & Wheels Equipment Brokers Inc. in product liability cases
ˇ Lion Oil Trading Co. in a product liability case relating to contaminated gasoline
ˇ Caterpillar Tractor Co. in a product liability case
ˇ Guelph Engineering Company Limited in a product liability case involving the explosion of a pipeline
A list of reported cases in which Mr. Hodgson has acted as counsel is available upon request.
Speaking engagements
ˇ "Litigating Commercial Damages," Osgoode Hall Law School York University, June 10, 2008
ˇ "Managing Internal and Regulatory Investigations," Osgoode Hall Law School York University, April 24, 2008
ˇ "ADR Mediation and Pre-trial: Practical Tips and Strategies," 2008 OBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education, February 2, 2008
ˇ "Piloting A Civil Action: From Take-Off to Landing," Ontario Bar Association, January 21-24, 2006
ˇ "5th Annual Advanced Forum on Securities Litigation," Canadian Institute, November 14-15, 2005
ˇ "6th Annual Securities Compliance," Federated Press, September 19-21, 2005
ˇ "Securities Litigation," The Canadian Institute, November 29-30, 2004
ˇ "5th Annual Securities Compliance," Federated Press, September 13-15, 2004
ˇ "The Art of Persuasion," American College of Trial Lawyers, April 2, 2004
ˇ "Settlement Negotiations in Complex Security Matters: Getting to Win for all Parties Securities Litigation," The Canadian Institute, November 17-18, 2003
Rankings and recognitions
ˇ Recognized by Benchmark Canada as a litigation star
ˇ Best Lawyers in Canada, 2012 - Class Action Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Director and Officer Liability, Legal Malpractice Law, Personal Injury Litigation, Product Liability Law, Securities Law
ˇ 2011 Lexpert® Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-border Litigation Lawyers in Canada (US Litigation Guide), Litigation - Corporate commercial
ˇ The International Who's Who of Product Liability Defence Lawyers, 2011
ˇ The International Who's Who of Commercial Litigation Lawyers, 2011
ˇ Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
ˇ Lexpert / American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers for Canada - Most frequently recommended for Corporate Commercial Litigation
ˇ Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, 2010 - Litigation: Corporate Commercial, Litigation: Directors' and Officers' Liability, Litigation: Product Liability, Litigation: Securities
ˇ Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, 2011: Dispute resolution
ˇ Martindale-Hubbell - AV Rating
ˇ PLC Which Lawyer? - Dispute Resolution
ˇ Lexpert magazine, November 2007 - "One of Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers"
ˇ Lexpert magazine - "One of the 100 Most Creative Lawyers in Canada"
ˇ Lexpert magazine, July / August 2002 - "One of Canada's Top 25 Corporate Litigators"
Memberships and activities
ˇ The Advocates' Society
- Past President
ˇ Class Action Journal, Federated Press
- Contributing Editor
ˇ Professional Liability and Discipline Litigation, Federated Press
- Co-editor
Related News
Ottawa vowing a crackdown on white collar crime
You can harm people a great deal if you hurt them financially. These are not minor matters, and should be punished, says James Hodgson in The Bottom Line.
06/10/2009
Powerhouse Jim Hodgson has Entered the Building
Ogilvy Renault is pleased to announce the long-awaited arrival of senior partner Jim Hodgson.
01/08/2008
OSC Sends Duic a Message
Jim Hodgson, a senior partner in the Litigation Group, speaks to The Business News on the Ontario Securities Commission hearing on Daniel Duic after he violated a lifetime trading ban.
19/08/2008