James Murphy, partner at Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP, is a senior litigation lawyer with a practice focused on complex, high‑stakes commercial disputes. He advises clients across a broad range of industries on general commercial litigation, with particular strength in energy, construction, and estate litigation matters. James has extensive experience litigating disputes involving contractual interpretation, oil and gas joint ventures, operator duties, royalty and accounting issues, as well as contentious estate and trust matters.
James is a seasoned trial and appellate advocate, having acted as lead counsel in numerous trials and appeals before all levels of court in Alberta, as well as the British Columbia Supreme Court and the Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench. He is also highly experienced in urgent pre‑trial relief, including obtaining Anton Piller orders, injunctions, and other extraordinary remedies.
Feedlot and Farming Company $95M Arbitration – Lead counsel to a shareholder in a $95M Arbitration against a major Feedlot and Farming Company. The Arbitration included allegations of corporate oppression, the unlawful sale of all or substantially all of its assets without shareholder approval, and the wrongful termination of the former Chairman of the Board and CEO. The dispute was settled before Arbitration.
Lead counsel to DIRTT Environmental Solutions Ltd. – Lead counsel to DIRTT Environmental Solutions Ltd. and others in a substantial multi-million dollar claim against its founders, their new company, and former executives and employees. Issues include restrictive covenants, fiduciary duties, common law employment duties, and conspiracy. DIRTT has succeeded in various pre‑trial applications: 2021 ABQB 252; 2022 ABKB 637; 2022 ABKB 787. Trial scheduled for February 2026.
Disposition of a $5M Estate – Lead counsel to a beneficiary named in the Estate of a recently deceased Justice of the Court of King's Bench regarding disposition of his $5M Estate.
Lead counsel to NE2 Canada Inc. in a $75M dispute – Counsel to NE2 Canada Inc. in a high‑profile dispute with former executives, brokers, and a new competing brokerage. Issues involve freedom of expression, media involvement, restrictive covenants, fiduciary duties, and conspiracy. Extensive media coverage by Bloomberg and others. NE2 has succeeded in multiple applications: 2024 ABKB 637.
- Resolving issues of false allegations of sexual harassment and defamation – Lead counsel to high-profile Calgarians targeted with false allegations. Successfully obtained Restricted Court Access Orders, Anton Piller Orders, Contempt Orders, Vexatious Litigant Orders, and resolved matters privately.
- Arbitration
- Commercial
- Commercial disputes
- Construction
- Dispute resolution
- Energy and construction
- Government and regulatory
- Insurance
- Private client
- Construction and materials
- Energy
- Financial services
- Government and public policy
- Insurance
- Natural resources
- Oil and gas
- Bachelor of Laws, University of Calgary, 2003
- Bachelor of Arts (with Distinction), Political Science/Philosophy, University of Alberta, 1999
- Law Society of Alberta
- Canadian Bar Association
- Executive Committee, BD&P
- Associates Committee, BD&P
- Compensation Committee, BD&P
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Alberta, 2004