White Collar Defense & Corporate Investigation Practice
Jim Bowman is global co-chair of the White Collar Defense and Corporate Investigations Practice. A skilled litigator and former federal prosecutor, Jim focuses on defending individuals and companies in complex federal criminal investigations and cases, leveraging his extensive experience in 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.
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
Los Ángeles, California
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Major Frauds Section
(appointed)California Central District
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.
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
Los Ángeles, California
Jim spent six years as an associate and counsel at O’Melveny, where he worked on complex civil litigation and white collar defense matters.
U.S. District Court
(appointed)California
Served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Irma E. Gonzalez, researching and drafting opinions, orders, and bench memoranda.
March 2025
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. 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).)
March 2025
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.
Best Lawyers in America
Los Angeles, CA | January 2020
Also recognized 2025
Chambers USA
January 2023
Recognized, also 2024
the Daily Journal
January 2023
Named
The Legal 500 US
January 2023
Offers no date
US Department of Justice Director
March 2025
Offers no date