James C. Holman, an attorney who represented corporate and banking clients and had been board chairman of a children's charity, died of congestive heart failure Monday at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. The Timonium resident was 61.
Born in Springfield, Mo., he earned a bachelor's degree in history from Drury University, a law degree at Vanderbilt University in 1971 and a master's degree in law from George Washington University.
After law school, Mr. Holman served in the Army at Fort Holabird. He then became a law clerk in a Washington federal tax court and practiced law in Kansas City, Mo., for three years before joining Baltimore's Whiteford, Taylor & Preston in 1979.
"He had a keen mind and was always a consummate professional and gentleman," said Albert J. Mezzanotte Jr., managing partner of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston. "He was quiet and soft-spoken."
Mr. Holman practiced business and commercial law and represented numerous clients, including McDaniel College, banks and individuals engaged in commercial transactions.
"He was a precise and talented lawyer," said Bob Sloan, a legal associate and friend from their days together in law school. "He had an affable personality and never lost his temper."
Friends that the Whiteford firm recalled Mr. Holman as a father figure to many of the firm's younger partners and associates.
"On the nights that I would work late, Jim would stop by my office and wait for me to finish my work so he could drive me home. He didn't want me walking five blocks by myself," said Maria de L. Mojica, an associate at the firm.
Mr. Holman was a former board chairman of Family and Children's Services of Central Maryland, a group he joined in 1996, and he remained active in the organization at his death.
"He always talked of how proud he was of the work the staff did here," said Stan Levi, the organization's executive director. "He was a gracious man with positive things to say. He recognized that our people work with difficult issues, and he was in awe of the way they worked."
He was also chairman of the agency's services and development, 150th anniversary and executive committees.
"I was struck by Jim's sensitivity and graciousness. We nicknamed him Gentleman Jim because that was always how he presented himself. He was a true statesman in his dealings with the board, always listening to all opinions and committed to guiding it to consensus without rancor," Mr. Levi said.
