Background

James Mathers is a partner at our Toronto office. James was called to the Ontario Bar in 1982. He graduated from the Faculty of Law of Queen's University in Kingston in 1980.

Before that, he majored in mathematics and economics and received a BA (Hons.) degree from Queen's University with first class honours in 1977.

Areas of Practice

• James specializes in representing banks and other lenders in loan transactions and insolvency matters. He has also represented major corporations as borrowers in loan transactions.

Rankings and Recognitions

• Recognized in the 2011 edition of Chambers Global – The World's Leading Lawyers for Business (Banking & Finance)
• Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in Canada® 2012 (Banking and Finance)
• Martindale-Hubbell BV® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rating
• Recognized in the 2011 Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Banking and Financial Institutions)
• Recognized in the 2011 edition of The Legal Media Group's Guide to the World's Leading Banking Lawyers

Professional Experience

• Has represented lenders in numerous secured and unsecured corporate, commercial and real estate loans.
• Has particular experience in syndicated loans, loans secured by worldwide assets of borrowing groups, loans relating to takeover bids, loans to communications companies and resource companies, subvented financing programs for automobile manufacturers and preparation of model documents for lending programs.
• Has represented lenders in numerous transactions relating to loan realization, including pre-demand negotiations, demands for payment, appointment of receivers, operation of receiverships, mortgage enforcement, other enforcement of security, dealings with government authorities and other creditors, and voluntary liquidations by borrowers.
• Has represented lenders in numerous matters relating to loan restructuring.
• Has experience in representing public regulatory authority in connection with winding up of financial institutions.

Professional and Community Activities

• Leader of the Financial Services Professional Group in our Toronto office (2000-2005).
• Legal advisor to the Canadian Bankers Association Secondary Loan Market Specialist Group that established model credit agreement provisions for use in syndicated bank loan transactions in Canada.
• Co-author of a guide to the Ontario Personal Property Security Act
• Speaker at various seminars, including Insight and Canadian Institute, relating to lending and insolvency matters