Back

James Woods

Partner

Montréal
[email protected]
514.954.2634

Expertise

Elizabeth Clark

Practice Assistant

Montréal
[email protected]
514.954.1905
514.954.2555

James’ practice focuses on construction litigation. He provides counsel to a variety of contractors, work providers, engineering firms, architectural firms, and manufacturers in the context of major projects, namely in relation to:

  • Construction claims including claims for extras and impact costs;
  • Professional liability;
  • Public procurement and calls for tenders;
  • Governance and compliance;
  • Legal requirements for licences and permits;
  • Construction liens (legal hypothecs).

James is proficient in English, French, Japanese and Spanish.

Experience

  • Obtained (for contractors, work providers, engineering firms, architectural firms and manufacturers) favourable settlements through negotiations in relation to several major claims relating to civil engineering works (site preparation, highways, bridges, hydroelectric works), industrial projects (hospitals, office buildings, etc.) and engineering services.
  • 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 Montréal.
  • 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 vehicle dealership claims due to statutory limitation, thereafter obtaining the dismissal of a judicial review aiming to overturn the arbitration award.
  • Couillard Construction Limitée v. Le Procureur Général du Québec, 2023 QCCS 252: obtained, for a general contractor responsible for construction of an extension of Highway A-5, a favourable judgment awarding 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, for a general contractor whose bid was illegally set aside, a declaration of said bid’s validity and compensation for lost profits.
  • Prévimed inc. v. Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de Laval, 2019 QCCS 4122: obtained, for a healthcare establishment having administered a public call for tenders seeking the provision of respiratory home care services, the dismissal of a claim for lost profits instituted by the lowest bidder, though whose bid was not compliant.
  • Pentax Canada inc. v. Groupe d’approvisionnement en commun de l’Est du Québec, 2014 QCCS 995: representation of a specialized manufacturer having been awarded a significant contract for the provision of medical equipment to various Québec-based healthcare establishments, and obtained the dismissal of proceedings instituted by a competitor aiming to invalidate the public tender process in question.

Beyond our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Barreau du Québec

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2023) of The Best Lawyers in Canada (Construction Law).

Bar Admission & Education

  • Québec, 2012
  • LLB, Université de Montréal, 2010