LAWYER PROFILE
James Bunting

James Bunting

Canada 2027

Chambers ranking badge
Chambers ranking badge

Ranked in 4 practice areas

Sports Law

Nationwide - Canada

1 year ranked

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration

Nationwide - Canada

9 years ranked

Litigation: General Commercial

Ontario

3 years ranked

Contributions and articles

1 Global Practice Guides

About

Provided by Tyr LLP

Canada

Practice Areas

Jim Bunting is a founding partner of Tyr LLP. Known for his bold approach as a trial lawyer, Jim represents clients on their most challenging issues. Jim is a preeminent litigator and trial lawyer. He has led landmark trials and arbitrations both internationally and within Canada, and is repeatedly recognized as one of the top litigators in Canada.

Jim has deep experience in a wide range of areas, including high-stakes commercial disputes, appeals, class actions, securities, constitutional challenges, franchise disputes, construction disputes and sport-related litigation. Jim is highly regarded for his ability to solve complex problems both in and outside the courtroom.

Jim believes deeply in giving back to the community. He was awarded the 2016 Lexpert Zenith Award for Diversity & Inclusion to recognize his pro bono work with global athletes. He represented South African born, 800-metre Olympic champion, Caster Semenya (and before her Dutee Chand) in appeals seeking to strike down regulations that require certain women to lower their naturally-occurring testosterone levels as a condition of participation in women's sport. He also served as Athlete Ombudsperson to the Canadian Olympic Committee during the Olympic Games in Rio, is a former volunteer counsellor and Chair of the Board of Camp Oochigeas (now Campfire Circle) and former member of the board of directors of the Jays Care Foundation.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Canada Guide

Sports Law - Nationwide - Canada

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

James Bunting is a leading sports litigator and trial lawyer who represents athletes, sports organisations and other stakeholders in high-profile disputes and arbitrations. He is particularly renowned for his work on precedent-setting sports cases, including matters involving athlete rights and eligibility, and is widely regarded as one of Canada's leading advocates in complex sports-related litigation.

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration - Nationwide - Canada

Band 2
Band 2

Individual Editorial
James Bunting is a skilled sports arbitrator who also acts on a wide array of contractual disputes, drawing upon his considerable litigation experience. He is a founding member of Toronto-based Tyr LLP.

Litigation: General Commercial - Ontario

Band 4
Band 4

Individual Editorial

Toronto-based James Bunting has extensive experience acting for clients in commercial disputes, appeals, construction disputes and sport-related litigation.

Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) - Nationwide - Canada

Band 5
Band 5

Individual Editorial

James Bunting has wide-ranging class action experience, with particular expertise in consumer-related cases.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • James Bunting sets the standard for high level advocacy and legal representation.
    Sports LawChambers Canada Guide
  • James Bunting is an exceptional litigator. He is very bright and very thorough, and extremely committed to his clients’ causes. He is one of the best advocates I have ever seen at the CAS.
    Sports LawChambers Canada Guide
  • Jim is very prominent, with excellent knowledge of sports law regimes, and is incredibly reliable and effective.
    Sports LawChambers Canada Guide
  • Jim is my secret weapon when we really need the voice of authority and experience in the room. I trust him to make his recommendations with a full understanding of the challenges facing our organisation.

    Sports LawChambers Canada Guide
  • He leads with vision, passion, deep insight and expertise with a single objective - to win. He was incredibly inspirational and a wonderful colleague to collaborate with. His professionalism and collegiality are outstanding.

    Sports LawChambers Canada Guide
  • James can pivot very quickly when presented with a challenging question or the need to change strategy.

    Dispute Resolution: ArbitrationChambers Canada Guide

Ranked Individuals at Tyr LLP (10)

Nationwide - Canada

Ontario

All Contributions (1)

Provided by Tyr LLP

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