James Gayson had spent years managing complex construction projects before entering Osgoode’s Professional LLM in Construction Law. Trained as a Professional Engineer, he built his career across engineering, project management and construction leadership before pursuing formal studies in construction law.
With more than a decade of experience in the demolition industry, James has developed expertise in operations management, health and safety and quality management. As Vice President of Mitchell Demolition Inc. in Canada and President of its U.S. operations, he oversees work that requires balancing technical requirements, operational efficiency and client expectations. His background in civil engineering technology also informs his approach to complex demolition projects, with an emphasis on safety, innovation and sustainability.
His work regularly brought him into contact with legal and contractual issues that could develop into disputes over the course of a project.
“I deal with a lot of legal matters in the sense of construction contracts and the bidding and tendering process,” James says. “A big part of that tends to lead into areas of dispute down the road during the project lifecycle.”
James pursued the LLM to develop another set of tools for navigating those situations.
“Being trained as a Professional Engineer, I’ve always only kind of focused on things through that lens,” he says. “Learning how to study these issues and find practical solutions through the law lens has given me a whole other route to solving problems.”
James began applying what he was learning in construction law while completing the program, drawing on legal research and reasoning to approach contractual disputes from a new perspective. Having previously relied on engineering and technical arguments when negotiating disagreements, he developed the ability to research applicable law and construct legal arguments to support his position. The experience expanded the range of approaches available to him when navigating commercial negotiations.
The program also changed how he approaches potential issues before they escalate. He now places greater emphasis on documenting his position, understanding applicable legal requirements and anticipating risks earlier in a project’s lifecycle. In an industry where projects involve multiple parties, contractual obligations and competing priorities, recognizing potential sources of disagreement can be an important part of effective project management.
James found the program’s coverage of the Construction Act particularly relevant to his work, especially its rules governing payment on construction projects. He explored the subject further in his research paper, examining provisions commonly described as “pay when paid” or “pay if paid” clauses. Such provisions can make a subcontractor’s payment conditional on the general contractor receiving payment from the project owner. His research examined how amendments to the Construction Act affect the application and enforceability of these contractual arrangements, an issue with direct implications for construction law and commercial practice.
Beyond managing individual projects, James’s leadership responsibilities include developing operational procedures, maintaining high standards of project execution and mentoring his team. His progression from Senior Project Manager to Vice President of Canada and President of the United States has also involved a greater focus on organizational strategy and client relationships, drawing on his technical experience to support decision-making across the business.
Wondering if the Professional LLM is right for you? Get information on course requirements, application dates, tuition and more!
James Gayson – Chief Executive Officer, Mitchell Demolition LLC (United States) | Vice President, Mitchell Demolition Inc. (Canada)
Graduate of the LLM in Construction Law (2026)