Jim was born in Halifax Nova Scotia in 1947. He moved to Edmonton with his family when he was 2 yrs. old and has called Edmonton his home since then. Jim attended College St Jean from grades 8 to 12 and then received his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Alberta. From there Jim went to Ottawa and received his Law Degree from the University of Ottawa in 1974.

He then practiced Law with his father until 1981 when he moved to what is now known as the Ackroyd Law firm and has practiced there ever since. Jim has received the distinction of Queen’s Counsel in 2010, a distinction among Lawyers.

In 1991 Jim joined the Board of Directors of WINGS of Providence and continued as a Board member for 23 years (and Vice President for many years), until 2014 when he resigned as a board member due to his Legal Practice workload.