JAMES HOLOHAN
Managing Principal, Investigations
Direct Tel: +1 332 296 8311
Email: jholohan@brithem.com
“Selecting the right investigator is like picking the right lawyer. It’s important and it matters, and Jim is among the best.”
Michael Bowe
As the leader of Brithem’s investigative team, James Holohan provides the firm’s clients with a built-in, trusted investigative partner who will operate at the highest standards.
A former senior member of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and commander of Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau’s detective squad, Jim brings more than 35 years of governmental and private sector experience to his work. After leaving the NYPD, Jim joined a New York-headquartered law firm where he founded and led an affiliated private investigations and business consultancy. He later led the Safety, Security and Investigations practice at the risk intelligence start-up RANE (Risk Assistance Network + Exchange), which helped leading law firms, financial institutions, private equity firms, and high-net-worth individuals unravel complex problems. He comes to Brithem from Brown Rudnick, an Am Law 200 firm where he worked closely with Michael Bowe and Lauren Tabaksblat.
In addition to his role as commanding officer of the Manhattan District Attorney’s detective squad, Jim also served as the commanding officer of three NYPD Narcotics Division commands including being a founding member and original leader of the Kennedy Airport Narcotics Smuggling Unit (KANSU).
Jim’s accomplishments in general investigative techniques have made him an asset to his clients. He has developed a reputation for successfully handling manipulative short-selling cases and was involved in developing some of the biggest and most high-profile cases of the day leading to successful results.
Credentials
St. John’s University, B.A.
Certified Fraud Examiner, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (2001–present)
Certified International Investigator, Council of International Investigators (2012–present)
Impact Matters
Protected stakeholders from an infamous “bear raid”
Jim led the investigation on behalf of Fairfax Financial Holdings that has been credited with saving the company from failure and restoring billions of dollars in investor value.
Uncovered corruption in New York City
As commanding officer of the Manhattan District Attorney’s detective squad, Jim led an investigation into corruption within the New York City Department of Buildings and other agencies leading to the arrests and convictions of a number of high-ranking city officials.
Led a government investigation into mortgage securities
Jim directed a private investigation on behalf of the United States Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) in its suits against numerous financial institutions accused of misrepresenting mortgage-backed securities sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, ultimately resulting in multibillion-dollar recoveries by the U.S. government.
Overall Experience
Jim has:
- Led an investigation into a proposed board member for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors for a real estate investment trust company to determine otherwise undisclosed alliances.
- Acted on behalf of Harbinger Capital in claims arising from its multibillion-dollar effort to construct a wireless communications network.
- Acted on behalf of the Ottawa Senators in disputes with the NHL, players, and business partners.
- Acted on behalf of Biovail Pharmaceuticals and Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk in a defamation claim brought by a former Bank of America analyst.
- Engaged with various leading private equity firms and their portfolio companies in support of their M&A activity, internal investigations, as well as safety and security matters.
- Acted on behalf of Allied Partners and its principal Eric Hadar in disputes over defective remediation of the Miami Savoy hotel.
- Led an investigation on behalf of a major automaker in connection with price-fixing and bid-rigging involving numerous automotive parts suppliers.
Press and Media
Recent Speaking Engagements
- “Children v. Goliath: The Effort to Hold Massive Corporations Responsible for Child Pornography on Pornhub,” MCLE, New England’s 27th Annual Personal Injury Law Conference (May 20, 2025)
Professional & Community Affiliations
- President, The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen of the City of New York (January 2023–December 2024)
- Chair, Mechanics Institute of the General Society of the City of New York (2022–23)
- Board of Governors, The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen of the City of New York (2018–22)
- Co-chair, Mechanics Institute of the General Society of the City of New York (2020–22)