James Zibarras

James Zibarras, a well-regarded trial and appellate lawyer with a wealth of experience across Canada and the U.S., crafts litigation strategies that are both effective and cost-conscious for his clients. James is a seasoned lawyer with decades of experience in fraud cases, with a focus on urgent civil remedies like asset freezing, civil search and seizure, and third-party disclosure. He is known for securing decisive outcomes in fraud, anticounterfeiting, and contractual disputes, and frequently represents clients in appeals. James’s courtroom experience and commitment, including pro-bono work for fraud victims, make him a trusted choice for complex legal matters.

A sought-after speaker, especially on fraud-related matters and litigation strategies,

James’s knowledge and experience shine through in his dynamic presentations and noteworthy contributions to legal education. James is an active member of various legal associations and has received notable recognition in directories for his litigation prowess. Serving as a Deputy Judge of the Ontario Superior Court part time for several years, James has garnered respect for his work within legal circles and beyond.

Updated Jan 2026

• In 2014, James successfully argued Voltage Pictures v. John Doe (2014 FC 161), one of the leading Federal Court cases on identifying copyright infringers by using their internet protocol (IP) addresses.
  
  
• In 2014 and 2017, James was successful in using the civil contempt remedy to send two fraudsters to jail for 3 months and 6 months respectively (see Valani v. Garrick and Scheckel v. Walker) for failing to comply with Court orders requiring them to account for millions of dollars they fraudulently stole from their respective victims, one being Canadian and one being from the United States.
  
  
• In 2017, in 2092280 Ontario Inc. v. Srimoorthy Pathamanathan et al., James successfully argued the first ever ex parte appeal in Ontario, which remedy James created so as to preserve the element of surprise when bringing motions for Mareva injunctions and other extra-ordinary civil remedies.
  
  
• 2092280 Ontario Inc. v. Srimoorthy Pathamanathan et al. – Successfully obtained leave to argue the first ex parte appeal in Ontario. The appeal related to important aspects of Mareva Injunction relief.
  
  
• Voltage Pictures LLC v. John Doe – Obtained the first order by a Canadian Federal Court requiring an ISP to disclose the identity of 2000 of its customers who downloaded Voltage’s copyrighted films.

• Appellate
• Arbitration
• Commercial
• Commercial disputes
• Dispute resolution

• Bachelor of Laws, University of Victoria, British Columbia, 2003
• Bachelor of Commerce, University of Witwatersrand, 1997

• Association of Certified Fraud Investigators
• Hellenic Canadian Lawyers Association
• The Advocates’ Society
• Ontario Bar Association
• British Columbia Bar Association
• Deputy Judges Association
• American Bar Association
• California State Bar Association

• Ontario, 2004
• California, 2000
• British Columbia, 1998