James L. Gould
A partner at Hamilton Howell Bain & Gould, Jim came to the
practice of law following a diverse set of experiences: working
in the field of construction; obtaining the qualification of
Second Lieutenant in the Canadian Armed Forces Infantry
Reserves; obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree at McMaster
University; obtaining an Honours Degree in Social Work as the
graduating gold medalist; and, working as a social worker in the
field of child protection in both Ontario and in British
Columbia.
After graduating from The University of British Columbia Faculty
of Law, Jim clerked at the British Columbia Court of Appeal. He
then worked for five years at a large Vancouver law firm where
he practiced general civil litigation. Following his general
litigation experience Jim founded a small litigation boutique
where his practice was focused on employment and labour law on
behalf of employees and trade unions. Jim was pleased to join
Hamilton Howell Bain & Gould in 2008 where his practice is
dedicated to labour and employment law.
Throughout his legal practice Jim has been involved in a wide
variety of labour and employment cases. His practice in this
area has included work with the British Columbia, Ontario and
Alberta Labour Relations Boards, the British Columbia Provincial
and Supreme Courts, various Administrative Arbitration Tribunals
including the British Columbia Employment Standards Branch and
Human Rights Tribunal and the Saskatchewan Dispute Resolution
Office. Jim has also appeared before the Federal Court of Canada
and been involved in cases that appeared before the British
Columbia Court of Appeal.
Jim's approach to dispute resolution and litigation is
practical, flexible and client centered. He recognizes the
importance of understanding his clients' needs and alters his
approach accordingly. Jim welcomes a fight when that is in his
clients' interests, but he is also prepared to advise his
clients to walk away when it makes sense to do so.
A fully qualified arbitrator and mediator, Jim is also an
accredited civil mediation roster member for the British
Columbia Mediator Roster Society, a member of the British
Columbia Arbitration and Mediation Institute and has acted as
both mediator and counsel in mediations and arbitrations in a
wide variety of circumstances.
Jim has been a guest lecturer at the University of Victoria, the
University of British Columbia and the British Columbia
Arbitration and Mediation Institute.
Jim lives in Vancouver with his wife and two children. When not
practicing law he loves traveling, spending time with his family
and friends and engaging in challenging athletic feats like
swimming the Salish Sea to raise money for disadvantaged
children and competing in the Alcatraz Challenge.