Born in Lions Gate Hospital in 1961, Jim Hanson graduated from Windsor Secondary in North Vancouver before attending Simon Fraser University, UBC Law School and Oxford University in England (Wadham College) (BCL). Jim was called to the bar of British Columbia in 1985.

During his 38 year legal career, Jim has handled a wide variety of cases including personal injury, class actions, sexual assault, common assault, and other areas of law. Jim’s 38 year experience includes serious brain injuries, paraplegic, quadriplegic, psychiatric, death claims and catastrophic injury claims. Jim earned notoriety as a class counsel for the passengers on the doomed British Columbia ferry Queen of the North. Jim handles cases of sexual assault, boating, train and airplane accidents, slip and falls, sporting and ski accidents, dog attacks and common assaults.

Additionalluy, In 2014 Jim was elected Councillor in North Vancouver District (re-elected 2018 and 2022). Jim sits as council appointee on the North Vancouver Policing Committee and is chair of the North Shore Standing Committee on Substance Use. Jim sits on the Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Relations Committee.

Jim resides in Blueridge with his wife Ruth, together they have adult children. The family all enjoy the outdoors. Jim is an avid small boatsman and salmon fisherman. Jim keeps fit by enjoying the Grouse Grind and frequent trail running in the Blueridge area. Jim is an accomplished alpine skier.