James McDonald, PC (1 July 1828 – 3 October 1912) was a Canadian lawyer, politician, and judge.

He was born in Bridgeville, Nova Scotia, the son of Alexander McDonald and Janet Fraser.

McDonald studied law with Martin Isaac Wilkins and was called to the bar in 1851.

In 1864, he was named financial secretary and served in that post until 1867 when he was an unsuccessful candidate for a federal seat.

McDonald was appointed by John A. Macdonald to the parliamentary committee to investigate allegations related to the Pacific Scandal in 1873.