I had to do this recently to an existing project, so I'd like to provide a conditional alternative to the selected answer... Depending on the complexity of the project in question, there is another option that could in my opinion be more efficient.
Quite simply:
- Make it possible to target all applicable links: - Example: add - class="no-link"to all relevant- <a>elements.
 
- Disable typical link functionality by targeting the appropriate CSS selector. - Example: apply the usual - e.preventDefault()override to elements matching- $('a[href="#"].no-link')
 
JS Bin example.
That said, most often simpler is better..  If you don't need to add a custom class to numerous links on a page, then don't. :) Also be very careful when using this, having insufficiently specific jQuery selectors could result in some links being disabled when you don't expect them to be.