James Stuart Holden (January 29, 1914 – November 18, 1996) was a United States federal judge.
Born in Bennington, Vermont, Holden received an A.B. from Dartmouth College in 1935 and an LL.B. from Albany Law School in 1938. He was in private practice in Bennington, Vermont from 1938 to 1941. He was in the United States Army Major, Infantry from 1941 to 1945. He was in private practice in Bennington, Vermont from 1945 to 1948. He was a State's attorney of Bennington County, Vermont from 1947 to 1948. He was a Chairman, Public Service Commission, State of Vermont from 1948 to 1949. He was a judge on the Superior Court, State of Vermont from 1949 to 1956. He was an Associate justice, Supreme Court of Vermont from 1956 to 1963. He was a Chief justice, Supreme Court of Vermont from 1963 to 1972.[1]
Holden was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the District of Vermont. Holden was nominated by President Richard Nixon on November 11, 1971, to a seat vacated by James L. Oakes. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 23, 1971, and received his commission on November 30, 1971. He served as chief judge from 1972-1983. He assumed senior status on January 29, 1984. Holden served in that capacity until November 18, 1996, due to his death.
He died in Longwood, Florida.