James Kevin Wholey

James Wholey

Jim has broad experience at the intersection of federal government, national security and international business.

Jim’s specific focus is on the legislative, policy and compliance issues involved in international investment, trade and business development. Through his international business and federal government relations practice, he assists clients with transnational compliance matters (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), export licensing and involvement with various sanctions regimes) and works frequently with the presidential administration and Capitol Hill. He spent more than a decade as a senior staff member for several U.S. senators, including three years as chief of staff to then-Senate Leader Bob Dole (R-KS), for whom he also handled trade and telecommunications issues.

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Education & Admissions

Education
  • University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 1980
  • Brown University, A.B., with honors, 1975
Admitted to Practice
  • District of Columbia
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Speaking Engagements

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  • Participant, Negotiable Hostilities “Fireside Chat,” West LegalEdcenter, August 2023
  • Presenter, “Regulatory Review – and Investor Implications – in U.S. Foreign Direct Investment,” LawExchange International, June 2023
  • Co-Moderator, “Negotiable Hostilities – Part IV: REXIT – The “Nuts and Bolts” of Contract and Investment Disputes When Leaving Russia,” Webinar, West LegalEdcenter, June 2022
  • Co-Moderator and Speaker, “Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) Regulations,” “Negotiable Hostilities – Part III: Doing Business with Russia in the Current Crisis,” Webinar, West LegalEdcenter, April 2022
  • Speaker, “U.S. (And Other) Regulations Regarding ‘Foreign’ Investment in Telecom Infrastructure,” TowerXchange, Meetup Americas Borderless Digital Forum, July 2020
  • Moderator, “Negotiable Hostilities – Part II: Telecom Deals With Foreign Investors in the Current Administration,” West LegalEdcenter Webcast, July 2020
  • Panelist, “Global Business Opportunities and Compliance Challenges,” Buffalo Business First State of the Region Breakfast, May 2019
  • Guest, The Hard Question with BQ, WCGO Chicago, December 2018
  • Guest, “Tariff Talk with Jim Wholey, Former Chief of Staff for Senator Bob Dole,” The Hard Question with BQ, December 2018
  • Speaker, “Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS),” Phillips Lytle Monthly Data Security Download, February 2018
  • Speaker, “Top 10 Things to Do This Year for Contract and Policy Review,” Phillips Lytle Monthly Data Security Download, February 2018
  • Speaker, “Specialized Export Compliance Topics,” Upstate New York Trade Conference, June 2016
  • Presenter, “The Changing Labor and Employment Landscape,” “What Government Contractors are Facing in 2016,” Phillips Lytle LLP Seminar, March 2016
  • Presenter, “New Regulatory and Legislative Developments in Washington that will Impact Government Contractors in the New Year,” “What Government Contractors are Facing in 2016,” Phillips Lytle LLP Seminar, March 2016
  • Moderator, “The Politics of Finance: 2016 Elections and the Markets,” DC Alternative Investment Consortium, January 2016
  • Speaker, “The Growing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Market,” Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster Event, December 2015
  • Speaker, “On the Front Lines: New Risks and Knowledge,” “Cybersecurity Today: New Players, New Risk, New Knowledge,” October 2015
  • Chair/Moderator, “International Trade in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR),” 2015 Upstate New York Trade Conference, June 2015
  • Presenter, Inaugural Meeting of the DC Alternative Investment Consortium (DCAIC), May 2015
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Activities & Professional Associations

Present Activities

  • Republican Senators, Candidates and Committees, Advisor
  • National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Lecturer
  • Tribune Broadcasting, Guest Panelist

Past Activities

  • Department of Defense Transition Team for President George W. Bush
  • White House Transition Team for President George H. W. Bush
  • Senate Committee on Commerce, Special Outside Counsel
  • Senate Judiciary Committee, Intellectual Property Subcommittee, Special Outside Counsel

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
    • Senior Lawyers Division

Articles & Publications

Articles

  • Author, “U.S. Sanctions Policy,” Phillips Lytle Newsletter Global Coverage, December 2016
  • Author, “Foreign Corrupt Practices Act,” Phillips Lytle Newsletter Global Coverage, December 2016
  • Author, “New Risks, Costs for Federal Government Contractors,” Buffalo Business First, March 2016
  • Author, “Smaller Companies, Bigger Risks,” Buffalo Law Journal, January 2015

Publications

  • Co-Author, “US Regional Real Estate – New York,” Chambers Global Practice Guide, May 2023
  • Co-Author, “US Regional Real Estate – New York,” Chambers Global Practice Guide, June 2022
  • Co-Author, “US Regional Real Estate – New York,” Chambers Global Practice Guide, May 2021
  • Co-Author “USA Regional Real Estate – New York,” Chambers Global Practice Guide, May 2020
  • Co-Author, “USA Regional Real Estate – New York,” Chambers Global Practice Guide, June 2019
  • Co-Author, “Regional Real Estate, New York – Law and Practice,” Chambers Global Practice Guides, June 2018