James Harold Rayner

James was born and raised in London Ontario, and is the youngest of five children. During his youth, James pursued interests in photography and film-making for which his accomplishments received recognition.

James attended the University of Western Ontario (UWO) from 1977 to 1982, completing an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in History, and a Diploma in Practical French. In 1988, James completed a Master of Arts degree in Public History at UWO and, in 1994, his Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Windsor. During his terms at UWO, James was a regular contributor to the student newspaper, and anchored three remarkable community radio programs.

James has worked as a Foreign Expert in China, and as a consultant in Ottawa to Federal Commissions, the House of Commons, and Crown agencies. James articled for a large national law firm in Waterloo region and, after his call to the Ontario Bar in 1996, worked in general practice obtaining a broad range of experience in litigation and family law. In 2001, he joined a full-service law firm to develop a practice focused on Family Law. James acted as the Standing Agent for the Ministry of Community and Social Services in matters of support enforcement, and is a current member of the Oxford Law Association. He is the author of numerous newspaper columns on a range of family law topics. James has built the foundations of his law practice on the tenets of compassion, effective advocacy, and problem-solving though negotiation. He encourages clients to consider all options for resolution before turning to the Court for relief.

James` daughters are his passion. He has a long-standing interest in photography and music, and enjoys camping, stargazing, hiking, cycling and, circumstances permitting, travel.