James M. Ayres
1 lawyer · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 369 handling Administrative & Regulatory Law.
About James M. Ayres
James M. Ayres runs a Toronto sole practice built around municipal and environmental law. Ayres was called to the Ontario bar in 1984, after earning a J.D. from the University of Windsor in 1982 and a B.A. (Hons.) from Trent University in 1978. Ayres is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in three separate areas: Municipal Law (Land Use Planning and Development), Municipal Law (Local Government), and Environmental Law.
The practice covers land use planning and development, municipal governance, expropriation, environmental approvals, waste management, and the environmental due diligence side of corporate finance, securities work, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate restructuring. Ayres appears before the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Superior Court of Justice and Divisional Court, and the Ontario Court of Justice, and regularly before municipal councils, tribunals, and boards, including the former Ontario Municipal Board. The practice also advises ratepayers, municipalities, and councillors on by-law powers, prosecutions, municipal liability, conflict of interest, and municipal elections matters.
Before setting up an independent practice, Ayres articled with Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General and worked there for five years, then acted as counsel to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and to the Niagara Escarpment Commission. Ayres also served as Deputy Director of Titles for the Real Property Registration Branch of the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, and represented the Government of Ontario at Parts I and II of the Walkerton Inquiry.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Municipal Law (Land Use Planning and Development).
- Certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Municipal Law (Local Government).
- Certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Environmental Law.
- Completed a Certificate in Carbon Finance through the University of Toronto's Centre for Environment.
- Completed the Business Essentials for Lawyers program through the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies.
- Represented the Government of Ontario at Parts I and II of the Walkerton Inquiry.
In the community
- Serves as Vice-Chair and a member of the City of Kawartha Lakes Committee of Adjustment.
- President of the Simcoe Chapter of Lambda Alpha International, an honorary land economics society.
- Member of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleWho handles what
The neighbourhood
The office at 10 King Street East is a short distance from Yonge Street, which Wikipedia lists as the eastern boundary of what's generally mapped as Toronto's Financial District, a downtown business district whose origins trace to the mid to late 19th century when regional banks began setting up headquarters in the area. It's a fitting setting for a practice built on land use, municipal governance, and the regulatory side of corporate and property transactions, work that runs through the same downtown institutions and government offices clustered around that stretch of the city.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of law does James M. Ayres practice?
- Municipal and environmental law. That covers land use planning and development, municipal governance, expropriation, environmental approvals, waste management, and the environmental due diligence side of corporate finance, securities transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate restructuring.
- Is James M. Ayres a certified specialist?
- Yes. Ayres is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Municipal Law (Land Use Planning and Development), Municipal Law (Local Government), and Environmental Law.
- Does the firm appear before municipal councils and tribunals, not just courts?
- Yes. Ayres appears before the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Superior Court of Justice and Divisional Court, and the Ontario Court of Justice, as well as regularly before municipal councils, tribunals, and boards, including the former Ontario Municipal Board.
- Can Ayres advise on environmental risk in a corporate deal or transaction?
- Yes. Ayres regularly advises corporate clients on environmental issues in commercial transactions, including managing environmental risk, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, real property realizations, and bankruptcies.
- What government or public sector background does Ayres bring to municipal disputes?
- Ayres articled with Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General and practised there for five years, then acted as counsel to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and to the Niagara Escarpment Commission. Ayres also served as Deputy Director of Titles for the Real Property Registration Branch of the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, and represented the Government of Ontario at Parts I and II of the Walkerton Inquiry.
- Where is the office and how do I get in touch?
- The office is at 10 King Street East, Suite 600, Toronto, ON M5C 1C3. Contact is by phone or email, listed on the firm's website.
Where to find them
10 King Street East, Suite 600, Toronto, ON M5C 1C3 · 647-361-2656
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Landlord & TenantListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗