James Noronha

James Noronha is an Associate Lawyer at PooranLaw, where his practice focuses on estate planning, disability law, human rights and corporate law for non-profits and charities. His legal and advocacy work reflect a lifelong commitment to advancing the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities and their families.

James brings over 16 years of leadership experience with Special Olympics Ontario, where he spearheaded youth programming, health promotion, inclusive education, research partnerships, and technology innovation.

James graduated from the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he was elected President of the Law Students’ Society. He served as an executive member of the Advocacy Society, was a founding member of both the Lincoln Alexander Mature Students’ Association and Danny’s Legacy Initiative, which engaged law students in supporting people facing food and housing insecurity near campus. During law school, James worked as a Teaching Assistant in International Criminal Law for former ICC President, Professor Chile Eboe-Osuji.

In addition to his professional work, James is deeply engaged in community service, advocacy, and volunteerism. He has served as Director of Youth Ministry at St. George’s on-the-Hill Anglican Church, where he mentors youth and young adults through leadership, advocacy, community service and social justice initiatives. James volunteers with children and families facing complex health challenges. At the Hospital for Sick Children, he supports children and families in the Multi-Organ Transplant Unit, and at Campfire Circle (formerly Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium) he supports children with cancer and serious illness as both a camp counsellor and drama instructor. In addition, James teaches drama to children and youth through Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation.

Community Involvement

• Selection Committee Member, Toronto Sport Hall of Honjour (City of Toronto) – 2018 to Present
• Director of Youth Ministry, St. George’s on-the-Hill Anglican Church (2001 to Present) – 2001 to Present
• Child Life Volunteer, SickKids Hospital (Multi-Organ Transplant Unit) – 1996 to present
• Volunteer, Campfire Circle (formerly Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium) – 2015 to present
• Volunteer Team Manager, Special Olympics Toronto Youth Basketball Program – 2023 to present
• Past Chair, Inclusive Sport Working Group, City of Toronto Sport Resource Group (2019)
• Former Member of the Ontario Parasport Collective a Canadian Paralympic Committee initiative – (2018-2019)
• Former Member of the Sport and Belonging, Inclusive Research Working Group at the University of Toronto (2017-2019)

Awards

• Valedictorian, Lincoln Alexander School of Law, Class of 2024
• Dennis Mock Student Leadership Award (2024) – Faculty of Law recipient
• Spring Forward Award for Community Engagement and Leadership (2024), Toronto Metropolitan University
• Dale H. Lastman Leadership Scholarship (2021)
• Lincoln Alexander Cup – Negotiation Competition Winner (2021)
• Ontario Public Service Amethyst Award (2003)
• Toronto Sunrise Rotary Youth Impact Award (2002)

Selected Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Arbour-Nicitopoulos KP, Bobbie K, Noronha J, King S, Levere S. Special Olympics Youth Games and Unified Sports – Success, Impact and Lessons Learned. Sport For Life Canadian Summit, Gatineau, Québec (2020).
• Bobbie K, Cedergren N, Monicatti K, Noronha J, Reinford V, Sutton C. Athlete/Partner Transition Between Schools & Community. Special Olympics North America Sport and Health Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota (2019).
• Orr K, O’Rourke R, Renwick R, Wright V, Noronha J, Bobbie K, Arbour-Nicitopoulos KP. Youth Experiences of Traditional Sports and Unified Sports. North American Society for the Sociology of Sport Conference, Virginia Beach, Virginia (2019).
• O’Rourke R, Orr K, Renwick R, Wright V, Noronha J, Bobbie K, Arbour-Nicitopoulos KP. “I’m No Different”: Perceptions of Disability Status Among Special Olympics Athletes. North American Society for the Sociology of Sport Conference, Virginia Beach, Virginia (2019).
• Noronha J. Special Olympics Programming for Children & Youth. Keynote presentation, Foundation for Prader-Willi Syndrome Research Conference, Gatineau, Québec (2017).
• Noronha J. Guest Lecturer, Adapted Physical Activity. University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology (2017–2020).
• Noronha J. Guest Lecturer, Adapted Physical Activity, University of Waterloo, Faculty of Kinesiology (2020-2023).
• James has also delivered guest lectures and presented on panels at Humber Polytechnic, Centennial College, Durham College, Ontario Tech University, and Sir Sandford Fleming College, sharing his expertise with students in the fields of sport and inclusion.