Professional Biography

Mr. Holmes’ practice focuses on complex civil litigation, securities enforcement defense, and other regulatory defense. He represents clients in a broad range of fraud-based matters, including SEC, FINRA, California Department of Corporations, Department of Real Estate, Department of Insurance, and CFTC investigations, grand jury investigations and criminal and civil litigation involving allegations of financial fraud and related allegations of malfeasance. He also represents clients in general litigation matters, including commercial contract disputes, real estate litigation (including RESPA issues), and employment disputes. Mr. Holmes also represents clients in proceedings before the Department of Insurance, Department of Real Estate, Board of Accountancy, and the Medical Board.

Among other matters, Mr. Holmes led the defense of a multi-plaintiff state qui tam action with allegations totaling well over $300 million, and co-chaired the 21-day trial. While at the SEC, he led SEC investigations and injunctive/administrative actions, and since entering private practice, has led the defense of such actions.

Prior to founding his own law practice, he was a shareholder in Beck, DeCorso, Daly, Kreindler & Harris, a Los Angeles-based white collar criminal and civil litigation firm, was Counsel at Manatt Phelps & Phillips, and Of Counsel at Liner, Grode, Stein, Yankelevitz, Regenstreif & Taylor. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Holmes served as a Staff Attorney in the Enforcement Division of the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (where he was formally recognized for his innovation and leadership), and as Corporations Counsel in the Enforcement Division of the California Department of Corporations. While at the California Department of Corporations, Mr. Holmes was a founding member of the Internet Compliance and Enforcement (“ICE”) unit, and while at the SEC, Mr. Holmes was a member of the Internet Enforcement Branch.

Mr. Holmes has been recognized as a "Super Lawyer" by Los Angeles Magazine and Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine since 2012, and prior to that as a “Southern California Rising Star” from 2007 through 2011. While at Beck DeCorso, Mr. Holmes was individually identified and discussed in the Daily Journal’s “Top Southern California Law Firms” special supplement on June 21, 2007.

Mr. Holmes lives in Santa Monica with his wife and two children.