James D. Steele

Prior to studying law, James earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S), graduating with Great Distinction. While earning his Juris Doctorate of Law at the U of S, James was awarded the P.E. Mackenzie Prize for the highest academic standing in the Evidence course and served as student editor of the Saskatchewan Law Review.

James’s life is balanced with his passion for music. James is extensively involved in fiddle music throughout Saskatchewan, performing regularly.  He is a former Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion, a six-time Grand North American Champion, and nine-time Saskatchewan Champion.  James is also a member of the Board of Directors for the John Arcand Fiddle Fest.

James is also on the board of editors of the Canadian Bar Association, Saskatchewan Branch publication BarNotes.

Practitioner Articles

• James Steele, “Emmett Hall: a Life” (2015) 30.1 CBA BarNotes 16
• James Steele, “Heritage Capital Corp v Equitable Trust: Municipal compensation payments will not run with the Land” The Court.ca (9 October 2016)
• James Steele, “Enforcement of Municipal Bylaws: A Primer” (2016) 31.1 CBA BarNotes 17
• James Steele, “The Law and Practise of Out-of-Court Evidence” (2016) The Advocate 8
• James Steele, “Rectifying Wills: A Litigator’s Guide” (December 2017) The Advocate 8

Academic Articles

• James Steele, “The Partisan: The Life of William Rehnquist by John A. Jenkins” 2014 Sask. L. Rev. 77(2)
• James Steele,  “The ‘Duty to Defend’ Exception:  Solicitor-Client Costs and Liability Coverage Proceedings“, Issues in Focus in Craig Brown & Thomas Donnelly, Insurance Law in Canada, loose-leaf (Toronto: Thomson Reuters, 2016) 
• James Steele, “Statutory Forebears: Legislative Evolution as a Means of Statutory Interpretation” (2018) 39:3 Stat.L.R. 303
• James Steele, “Deterrence not Damages: The Punitive Rationale for Solicitor-Client Costs” (2018) 36 Can J Ins L 164
• James, Steele, “Resulting Trusts over Torrens Land“, Issues in Focus in Brian A Schnurr, Estate Litigation, 2d ed., vol. 1 (Toronto: Thomson Reuters, 2017).

Blog Articles

• Case comment on Figley v. Figley, 2018 SKQB 102
• Case comment on Olson v. Skarsgard Estate, 2018 SKCA 64
• Case comment on Klassen v. Estate of John Arnold Wiers, 2018 SKQB 32 
• Case comment on Karpinski v. Zookewich  Estate, 2018 SKCA 56
• Case comment on Carlson v. Carlson Estate, 2018 SKQB 196

• Co-presentation with M. Kim Anderson, Q.C., for the Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association Fall Seminar, October 21, 2016 (Campsite leases);
• Co-presentation with M. Kim Anderson, Q.C., for the Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association Fall Seminar, April 7, 2017 (Eviction of tenants and other lease issues);
• Co-presentation with Sean Sinclair before the Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers Association, April 20, 2017 (Challenging of Wills);
• Co-presentation with Sean Sinclair before the CBA Wills, Estates and Elder law Section, September, 2017 (Estate Litigation)