James A.S. Legh
Mr. Legh has been a litigation lawyer in Victoria since 1987. 35 years in the field make him one of the most experienced personal injury lawyers in B.C., representing clients from around the world for whom he has obtained settlements or judgments as high as $6.3 Million. He has been successful at every level of court in British Columbia in a variety of cases.
His litigation experience is extensive in many areas of law, including: wills and estate litigation, commercial litigation, business law, professional malpractice, employment law, family law, tax appeals, and property assessment appeals.
While a litigator, Mr. Legh has also had a great deal of experience in business not only running a successful law firm but in a number of other businesses including restaurants, resorts, and importers. He has acted for hundreds of companies over the years, helping to ensure they too are successful and avoid the legal pitfalls facing them.
He graduated with his LL.B. from the University of Manitoba in 1985 and is a member of the Law Societies of both Manitoba and British Columbia. He obtained his Family Law Mediation designation in 1993 and has authored numerous legal articles including his work as a co-author of the BC Property Assessment Manual. For many years he has been actively involved with the executive of the Victoria Bar Association, including acting as President on two occasions and as the ongoing editor of the Bar’s newsletter.
Mr. Legh also has a strong commitment to giving back to the community and has been a lifelong volunteer with many organizations including Scouts Canada, with which he has been a member since 1970.
TRAJECTORY
1985 – Articled at the Federal Department of Justice
1985 – Graduated from the University of Manitoba
1986 – Called to the Bar in Manitoba
1988 – Called to the Bar in British Columbia
1993 – Received Family Law Mediation designation
1999 – Founder of Lawyers on Stage Theatre (LOST) for lawyers to support local charities/Arts
2000 – Victoria Bar Association – Executive member
2001 – Saanich Volunteer Award
2005 – Medal of Merit for Scouting
2006 – Creator of the VBA newsletter The Praecipe written and published 6 times a year from 2006 to the present
2006 – President of the Victoria Bar Association
2008 – CBA (B.C.) Community Service Award
2011 – Bar to the Medal of Merit for Scouting
2013 – Victoria Bar Association – Volunteer Award
2016 – Certificate Of Commendation for Scouting
2018/2019 – BC Law Schools Moot Coach (winning teams)
2019 – University of Victoria Law School / sessional lecturer – 2019 Law 307B, Civil Procedure and Drafting
2021 – Victoria Bar Association – Pamela Murray Award – presented annually to a member who has constantly maintained high professional standards and has contributed substantially to the well-being of the local Bar
2024 – elected Bencher of the Law Society of British Columbia
2024 – appointed to the Board of Directors of the Continuing Legal
Education Society of BC (CLEBC)
Book James Legh for keynote speeches
legh@sll.ca
Areas of Law
PUBLICATIONS
British Columbia Real Property Assessment Manual
“Know Your Rights” – Learning Disabilities Association
The Praecipe – VBA newsletter
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
2019- Victoria Paralegal Association
2018 – Victoria Bar Association New ICBC
2018 – Scouts Auction Dinner
2017 – Sooke Chamber of Commerce
2017 – Scouts Auction Dinner
2016 – Sooke Chamber of Commerce
GIVING BACK
Scouts Canada:
- Greater Victoria Deputy
- Area CommissionerLeader over 40 years
- Part of organizing team – BC Provincial Jamborees 2015 and 2019
2010-2015 – Scouts Canada Foundation – National Chair
National Chief Scout Association – Past Chair
National Chief Scout Association – Past Chair
1995-2000 – Saanich Police Board – Member
Capital Region Municipal Amalgamation Society – Director
Capital Region Municipal Amalgamation Society – Director
Victoria Foundation – Past committee member
Children’s Museum of Victoria Association -former Vice president
Learning Disabilities Association of British Columbia – former director
Stages Dance Theatre Society – former director
Kaleidoscope Theatre Productions Society – former director
AWARDS
The Pamela Murray Award (2021)
Certificate of Commendation for Scouting (2016)
VBA Volunteer Award (2013)
Bar to the Medal of Merit for Scouting (2011)
CBA (B.C.) Community Service Award (2008)
Medal of Merit for Scouting (2005)
Sannich Volunteer Award (2001)
SLL Team Members
Testimonials
Here’s what our happy clients had to say about our services:
Jim Legh is funny and makes relief from stressful situations.
Province ordered to pay $6.3 million to Baby Molly’s family
Mr. Legh did a great job helping me with ICBC. We settled before trial for much more than I was offered at first. He was very good throughout.
I was offered $45,000 by ICBC, but Mr. Legh obtained a judgment for over $300,000
The case involved losses we suffered due to the negligence of a major crown corporation. Mr. Legh was able to resolve the claim and obtain fair compensation for us without having to go to trial. It was truly a case of a local, family company winning against a major corporation, due in no small part to the skill of Mr. Legh.
It took a couple of years, but the first offer of $30,000 ended up at $140,000, so I was very happy. Jim sure knows how to get a fair result.
I have had to consult Mr Legh on a few occasions and he was very helpful and gave great legal advice. He takes the time to understand what needs to be done and the service is top notch. If I need a lawyer in the future, he’ll be the first person I call.
Jim is very diligent with a great sense of humour. I have also met some of the other lawyers in his group and I am impressed with them all. I highly recommend this law firm, they really know their stuff and treat people well. Thanks Jim.
Mr. Legh is such a calming person. I was very stressed, and he helped me reduce that. He was great to talk to.
