James Edward Redmond QC

REDMOND, James Edward QC

December 5, 1931 – January 9, 2021

Jim Redmond was born in Grande Prairie in 1931.  His mother passed away when he was a very young boy and he was raised by his father John Redmond.  Jim and his father moved to Edmonton in 1941.  He attended McKay Avenue school and Garneau high school.  Jim obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Law degrees from the University of Alberta, where he was gold medalist in his law class and was the recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship. He received a B.C.L. degree with first class standing from the University of Oxford in 1956.

Jim practiced law in Edmonton for 60 years. He was one of Canada’s leading trial lawyers and international arbitrators.  He appeared frequently at all levels of Courts in Alberta, the Federal Court, and the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as before a number of arbitration tribunals and public inquiry commissions.  He mentored countless students and young lawyers, served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta, and as a lecturer in the Faculties of Commerce and Law at the University of Alberta, and in the Alberta Bar Admission Course. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a member of the London Court of International Arbitration and a member of many other international and industry boards and institutions.  Jim was a legal scholar but immensely modest and was a lifetime student of the law, meeting regularly with his Legal Circle comprised of local practitioners and academics and attending legal conferences, seminars and courses around the world well into his 80s.

Jim loved and supported the Edmonton Arts including the Symphony, the Opera, the Citadel, the Art Gallery and the local jazz scene.  Jim was also a sports fan and athlete.  He was a CKUA radio host, a sportscaster and journalist in his university days. He was an avid tennis player and played regularly in men’s and mixed leagues.  He continued skiing and playing tennis well into his 80s.

Above all, Jim loved his family. He and Vivian were married for over 63 years and had 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.  Their home has always been the centre of family parties, holidays and events for the immediate and large extended family with Jim and Vivian as the consummate hosts.  The hosting extended to travel including special NYC trips for all the grandchildren and annual ski vacations to Snowbird in Utah inspiring a love of travel and skiing in their children and grandchildren.  Jim was a devoted and loving father and grandfather and took much time and interest in their many school and extra curricular activities whether it was a hockey game, school project, concert or ski race.

Jim is survived by his wife Vivian (nee Starko); children: Linda Leblanc (Mario), Ted Redmond (Sandra) and Lisa Redmond (Ron Sorokin); grandchildren: Kevin (Sarah), Andrea (Cameron), Lara, Katie, Jessica, Emily, Jaime, Jack and great grandson Bennett; sisters and brothers in law: Marvin (predeceased) and Adele, Susan and Russ, Patricia and Boris,  Gina and Pat; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

The family would like to thank Dr. Naiker, the medical team at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, and the good samaritans who stopped to help at Meadowlark.

Due to current COVID 19 restrictions a private family service will be held.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the University of Alberta Law School by contacting della.paradis@ualberta.ca or 780-940-1874 or the charity of your choice