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James Woods is a partner in our Insurance Law Group. His practice focuses on civil and professional liability. James joined RSS after working with a national firm for many years. There, he gained extensive experience in a wide variety of commercial litigation matters with a particular focus on complex construction disputes in the context of major projects—namely in relation to claims for extras and impact costs, professional liability and public procurement, including calls for tenders. |
Language
English, French, Spanish, Japanese
vCard
Office
Montréal
Representative files and mandates
- Negotiated favourable settlements on behalf of various clients (including insurers, contractors, work providers, engineering firms, architectural firms and manufacturers) for several major claims regarding civil engineering services, engineering works (site preparation, highways, bridges, hydroelectric works), and industrial projects (hospitals, office buildings, etc.)
- Acted as project counsel for a general contractor in the context of a significant project for the reconstruction of the Turcot interchange located in downtown Montreal
- Allen Entrepreneur général inc. v. Régie d’assainissement des eaux du bassin de Laprairie, 2024 QCCS 2572: represented an engineering firm, having obtained the complete dismissal of a claim directed against it in relation to a $14M dispute in the context of a complex project for the renovation and improvement of a water treatment facility, including the design and construction of biomethanisation and desulfurization systems
- Orviande inc. v. Entreposages Frigoriques Total inc., 2024 QCCS 4585: represented a specialized manufacturer, having successfully obtained the complete dismissal of a 6.6M$ claim directed against said manufacturer for alleged construction deficiencies
- 9274-8706 Québec inc. v. Barrington, 2023 QCCS 5145: successfully defended a vehicle manufacturer and distributor in a complex arbitration, having obtained a summary judgment in first instance dismissing the plaintiff dealership’s claims on the basis of statutory limitation, and later securing the dismissal of a judicial review aiming to overturn the arbitration award
- Couillard Construction Limitée v. Procureur Général du Québec, 2023 QCCS 252: obtained a favourable judgment for a general contractor responsible for constructing an extension of Highway A-5, which awarded compensation for the entirety of the amounts claimed for extras and unpaid contractual holdback
- Couillard Construction Limitée v. Procureur Général du Québec, 2022 QCCS 2069: obtained a declaration of bid validity and compensation for lost profits on behalf of a general contractor whose bid was illegally set aside
- Prévimed inc. v. Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de Laval, 2019 QCCS 4122: obtained the dismissal of a claim for lost profits instituted by a non-compliant low bidder, on behalf of a healthcare establishment that had issued a public call for tenders seeking the provision of respiratory home care services
- Pentax Canada inc. v. Groupe d’approvisionnement en commun de l’Est du Québec, 2014 QCCS 995: represented a specialized manufacturer that was awarded a significant contract for the provision of medical equipment to various Quebec healthcare establishments and obtained the dismissal of proceedings instituted by a competitor aiming to invalidate the public tender process in question
Honours
- Best Lawyers in Canada: recognized for Construction Law (2023-present)
- Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory: recognized for Construction Law (2025)
Bulletins
The Court of Appeal delves deep into the parties’ intentions and claimant hits a wall…
March 10, 2026
The Facts In the context of a project for the construction of a ten-storey condo building, the excavation contractor subcontracts the design and installation of a Berlin-type retaining wall (the “Wall”) to Phénix Maritime inc. (“Phénix”) which, in turn, subcontracts the design to Les Investigations Marcel Leblanc inc. (“IML”). Problems arise that substantially delay the […]
When Love and Construction Contracts Go Out the Window…
January 15, 2026
In Gélinas v. LG Constructions TR inc., rendered on October 30, 2025, the Court of Appeal comments on the legal framework governing a contractor unilaterally terminating two construction contracts. In particular, the Court clarifies the application of article 2129 of the Civil Code of Quebec (“C.C.Q.”), which provides, when applicable, that a client is bound […]
Latent Defects: Notice Must Be Given, but to Whom, When and How? The Court of Appeal Answers
October 27, 2025
On this past September 26, in the context of a claim for latent defects, in the matter of Meyer v. Pichette (Estate of Morin), 2025 QCCA 1193, the Court of appeal confirmed a Superior Court judgment which dismissed proceedings in warranty brought against former vendors as sufficient notice of the defects was not provided prior […]
Community Involvement
James has served as chancellor for the Anglican Diocese of Montreal since his appointment in 2025.
Education
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)
Université de Montréal
2010
Call to Bar
Quebec
2012