Jim Bowman is a skilled litigator and former federal prosecutor. His practice focuses on defending individuals and companies in complex federal criminal investigations and cases, with extensive experience on public corruption, campaign finance, and healthcare fraud matters.
Jim served as Deputy Chief in the Major Frauds Section and as the Securities Fraud Coordinator in the United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. During his eight years as a federal prosecutor, Jim served as the lead prosecutor on numerous high-profile cases (including cases featured on the MSNBC program “American Greed”), tried several cases as lead counsel, and successfully argued numerous appeals before the Ninth Circuit.
Jim supervised a team of prosecutors in the Major Frauds Section (one of the largest white collar prosecution units in the country) and oversaw the investigation and prosecution of dozens of cases in the Section. He received awards from the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Los Angeles Police Department, and other federal and local agencies, including the 2012 DOJ Director’s Award for Superior Performance.
Before becoming a federal prosecutor, Jim spent six years as an associate and counsel at O’Melveny, where he worked on complex civil litigation and white collar defense matters.
Private Practice Experience
- Secured acquittal on all counts for billionaire private equity executive Thomas J. Barrack, Jr., who was charged with acting as an illegal foreign agent, making multiple felony false statements, and obstructing justice, following highly publicized, two-month federal criminal jury trial. (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/04/nyregion/trump-thomas-barrack-acquitted.html)
- Represented individual in federal criminal investigation by US Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles alleging violations of campaign finance laws and Foreign Agents Registration Act, which was resolved with no criminal charges filed.
- Defending Fortune 100 health care plan in False Claims Act suit filed by US DOJ in connection with the submission of Medicare Advantage data to the government.
- Representing Fortune 100 company in criminal US DOJ investigation relating to allegations of healthcare fraud.
- Representing large public entity in responding to state government investigation of potential pattern and practice of civil rights abuses by local law enforcement organization.
- Representing large public entity on immigration issues, filing numerous amicus briefs to further the entity’s support of immigrant residents and local law enforcement priorities.
- Representing CEO of Taiwanese company on federal criminal charges alleging violations of anti-dumping laws.
- Representing individual in federal criminal investigation regarding alleged failure to disclose overseas bank accounts and tax evasion.
- Defended Fortune 500 online auction company against civil RICO claims alleging it knowingly abetted sale of counterfeit products, which ended with dismissal of the RICO claims and favorable settlement.
- Defended hospital at seven-month federal criminal trial alleging criminal violations of the federal Anti-kickback Statute, which ended with a hung jury and dismissal of criminal charges.
- Pro bono representation of cognitively-impaired minor serving a life sentence for murder. Drafted and argued federal habeas petition that resulted in published opinion vacating client's sentence and remanding case for a new trial. (Holguin v. Harrison, 399 F.Supp.2d 1052 (N.D. Cal. 2005).)
Government Experience
- Prosecution of United States v. Scott London, a criminal insider trading case against a senior vice president of a major international accounting firm who had been passing confidential information to a close friend in exchange for bundles of cash. Following a sting operation and the defendant's arrest, which was covered extensively by the media, the defendant pled guilty and was sentenced to federal prison.
- Prosecution of an insider trading ring that illegally generated more than $3 million in profits. All five defendants were convicted and sentenced to federal prison.
- Prosecution of defendant who defrauded thousands of families in East Los Angeles out of more than $50 million in affinity fraud scheme, resulting in defendant's conviction at trial. Seized $12 million from defendant, including $4 million in cash, which was one of the largest cash seizures in a fraud case in California history.
- Prosecution of con artist who carried out a predatory fraud scheme that defrauded hundreds of families out of more than $40 million. Defendant was convicted after trial and sentenced to 22 years in prison.
- Investigation involving one of the largest art heists in Los Angeles history. Oversaw sting operation that led to the recovery of paintings worth more than $10 million.
- Investigation and prosecution of organized crime members involved in theft and attempted sale of stolen paintings worth more than $1 million.
Admissions
Bar Admissions
- California
Court Admissions
- US District Court, Central District of California
Education
- University of California at Los Angeles, J.D., 2000: Order of the Coif; Managing Editor, UCLA Law Review
- Stanford University, B.A., Political Science, 1995
Honors & Awards
- Named one of the "Top White Collar Lawyers" by the Daily Journal (2023)
- Recognized by Chambers USA for Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (2023)
- Recognized by Best Lawyers for Criminal Defense: White Collar in Los Angeles (2021-2024)
- Recommended by The Legal 500 US
- US Department of Justice Director’s Award for Superior Performance
Professional Activities
Clerkships
- Hon. Irma E. Gonzalez, US District Court, Southern District of California
Board Member
- Inner City Law Center
Corporate & Government Experience
- Deputy Chief, Los Angeles US Attorney’s Office, Major Frauds Section
- Securities Fraud Coordinator, Los Angeles US Attorney’s Office, Major Frauds Section