James M. Ayres

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.