Retired
Former Vice Chairman
KPMG LLP
Sven Erik Holmes was the Vice Chairman of KPMG LLP. In this role, he oversaw the firm’s risk management functions as well as its office of general counsel, office of government affairs, security department and ethics and compliance program. Judge Holmes also served as KPMG’s Chief Legal Officer, Counsel to the Board of Directors and as a member of the Management Committee. Judge Holmes was a partner with the Washington, D.C. law firm of Williams & Connolly LLP when he was appointed by President William J. Clinton as United States District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma, where he served for ten years, the last three as Chief Judge. Judge Holmes has served in a number of key positions in law, government and academia, including: Adjunct Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Tulsa College of Law, 1999-2005; General Counsel and Staff Director, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, 1987-1989; Select Committee on Secret Military Assistance to Iran and the Nicaraguan Opposition (Iran-Contra Investigation), 1987; Executive Director, Democrats for the 80’s (Independent Political Action Committee), 1983-1985; and Administrative Assistant, Oklahoma Governor David L. Boren, 1975-1977. He was the Vice President of the Baltimore Orioles from 1989-1993. Judge Holmes has received a number of awards including: Ethisphere’s 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics (2009); National Law Journal’s Americas 50 Outstanding General Counsel (2014); and Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting (2007). He is a Member of the Board of Directors of Equal Justice Works, a Member of the Board of Trustees for the Ford’s Theatre, and Chairman of the Council for Court Excellence in Washington, DC. Judge Holmes received his A.B. from Harvard University, his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and his LLM in taxation from Georgetown University Law Center.
Why I am a trustee:
To contribute to the process of providing high-quality education to high-quality students and to participate in a vibrant liberal arts community.
Graduated from:
Harvard University, B.A. (1973)
University of Virginia Law School, J.D. (1980)
Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M. (Taxation) (1987)
Profession:
Business/Law
When I was in college I studied:
Social Studies (combined economics, government and history)
Today I wish I had studied:
English
Favorite book:
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Favorite film:
The Godfather
Favorite cuisine:
American
Role model:
Nelson Mandela
Education/Career Advice for Students:
Pursue those things that inspire in you both abiding curiosity and enthusiasm.