James Leon Holmes (born 1951) is a United States federal judge.
Born in Hazen, Arkansas, Holmes received a B.A. from Arkansas State University in 1973, an M.A. from Northern Illinois University in 1976, a Ph.D. from Duke University in 1979, and a J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1982. He was a law clerk, Hon. Frank Holt of the Supreme Court of Arkansas from 1982 to 1983. He was in private practice in Little Rock, Arkansas from 1983 to 1990, and again from 1992 to 2004. He was an Adjunct faculty, Political Science Department, University of Arkansas in 1983. He was a Tutor/professor, Thomas Aquinas College from 1990 to 1992. He was an Adjunct faculty, School of Law, University of Arkansas in 2002.
Holmes is a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Holmes was nominated by President George W. Bush on January 29, 2003, to a seat vacated by Stephen M. Reasoner. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 6, 2004, and received his commission on July 7, 2004. He has served as chief judge from 2005 to present.