James Yousif
Lawyer
My Services
Dispute Resolution
James is an experienced barrister and has advocated before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Divisional Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal, representing clients in diverse civil and commercial litigation matters.
Advanced Legal Research
Legal research in the context of active litigation files requires the ability to advance or defend against finely tuned arguments. James offers services in legal research and analysis to lawyers, law firms and businesses engaged in civil actions, appeals and regulatory proceedings in the following areas:
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Contracts and Commercial Disputes
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Trusts and Fiduciary Obligations
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Conflict of Laws
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Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
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Economic Torts
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Defamation
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Immigration Law
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Elder Law
Public Policy Analysis
James has served as a director of policy to federal and provincial ministers. He has experience in all aspects of the development of new legislation, regulation, and public policy—from conceptual phases to the tabling and debate of legislation in the House of Commons and the Senate. He has contributed to drafting numerous Memoranda to Cabinet and supported Ministers in their presentations to Cabinet committees.
James collaborates with government relations professionals and businesses, offering insights and analysis on legal, regulatory and policy options to navigate complex challenges effectively.
About Me
Barrister
James is an experienced litigation lawyer, policy advisor and adjudicator. He articled and worked as an associate lawyer at Teplitsky LLP, Barristers in Toronto, gaining extensive experience in complex civil and commercial litigation.
Immigration and Refugee Policy
James served the Government of Canada for over a decade, including as Director of Policy to the Federal Minister of Citizenship & Immigration, Hon. Jason Kenney. James led the development of the Balanced Refugee Reform Act, which passed with all-party support during the minority Parliament of 2010. This legislation changed Canada's asylum determination system, creating the Refugee Appeal Division and appointing public servant decision-makers. His efforts were acknowledged in the House of Commons during Third Reading Debate.
Seniors Policy
James was the Chief of Staff and Director of Policy to the Federal Minister of State for Seniors, Hon. Alice Wong. James advanced seniors policy and elder law as distinct, interdisciplinary areas of public policy and legal analysis within the federal government. He worked on CPP, OAS and GIS policy. James led a collaboration with the McConnell Foundation to implement the Collective Impact model within the Pan-Canadian stream of the New Horizons for Seniors Program. He also established a partnership between the federal government and United Way’s 211 service.