Overview
James "Jim" Harris is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Dallas office, where he focuses his practice on assisting clients in resolving disputes, administratively and judicially, with local, state and federal governments, and providing advice on influencing legislation and complying with statutes and regulations.
Industry sources commend Mr. Harris' knowledge and skills, saying:
He's practical and has a tremendous amount of experience.
– Chambers USA – America's Leading Lawyers for Business guide, 2021
(He) has a strong reputation for his record in regulatory litigation.
– Chambers USA – America's Leading Lawyers for Business guide, 2019
Mr. Harris' environmental litigation experience includes cost recovery actions, enforcement actions, contested permits, bankruptcy claims, regulation challenges, debarment proceedings and criminal actions.
In addition, Mr. Harris represents clients in litigation challenging local government ordinances, permit decisions and zoning actions, as well as in property tax litigation regarding challenges to valuation, situs determinations and right to exemptions.
Mr. Harris also has served as Criminal Justice Act panelist since November 2001, where he has handled more than a half-dozen criminal matters, including a week-long trial on alleged sales of guns without a permit, resulting in an acquittal.
Credentials
- The University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors
- Southern Methodist University, B.A.S., Environmental Systems, with high honors
- Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- American Bar Association, Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice, 1980-Present; Section of State and Local Government Law, 1980-Present; Section of Environment, Energy and Resources (SEER), 1980-Present
- State Bar of Texas, Administrative and Public Law Section, 1980-Present; Appellate Section, 1980-Present; Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section, 1980-Present; Environmental Law Institute Planning Committee, Co-Chair, December 1988
- Dallas Bar Association
- Scribes, The American Society of Legal Writers
- Dallas Heritage Village, Board of Trustees Chairman, 2007-2008
- Dallas County Heritage Society, Member, 2003-2009; Board of Trustees, 2003-2009
- Mental Health Association of Greater Dallas, Board of Directors, 1985-1990
- Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Inc., Board of Trustees, 2004-2012; Real Estate Committee, 2002-Present
- Gun Barrel City, Texas, Special Master, 1996
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Environmental Law, Litigation-Environmental, 1983-2024
- Chambers USA – America's Leading Lawyers for Business guide, Environmental Law, 2003-2023; Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2022, 2023
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Lawyer of the Year, Dallas Litigation - Environmental, 2012
- The Legal 500 USA, Recognized Attorney, Energy: Regulatory; Environment – Regulatory, 2015, 2018, 2021
- Texas Super Lawyers magazine, Environmental, Environmental Litigation, Administrative Law, Tax, 2003-2004, 2006-2023
- Lawdragon 500, Leading U.S. Environmental & Energy Lawyers, 2021
- Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, Environmental Law, 2017, 2018
- Who's Who Legal: Texas, Environmental, 2007-Present
- ICFM Leading Lawyers 500, InterContinental Finance magazine, 2013