Holland & Hart is pleased to announce that former U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho, Josh Hurwit, has joined the firm as a partner in the Boise office. Josh brings exceptional federal prosecution experience and trial expertise to the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice.
As Idaho’s former top federal law enforcement official, Josh led approximately 65 to 70 employees across three statewide offices, managed multi-million dollar budgets, and oversaw major investigations and complex prosecutions, including fraud cases, False Claims Act and RICO prosecutions, cybercrime and antitrust investigations, and novel environmental enforcement actions. He enhanced partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement to increase criminal case referrals and prosecutions to record levels, while initiating new programs in civil rights enforcement, COVID-19 fraud prevention, and fentanyl enforcement. He served as Chair of the Hate Crimes Working Group of United States Attorneys and Vice-Chair of the Border and Immigration Subcommittee of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee.
Prior to his government service, Josh practiced at Am Law 50 firms Covington & Burling and Kirkland & Ellis in San Francisco, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in New York, where he gained extensive experience in complex commercial litigation, securities enforcement matters, bankruptcy proceedings, and civil rights cases. He also served as a law clerk to Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Josh’s prosecution background spans white collar crimes, environmental violations, cybersecurity incidents, public corruption, and regulatory compliance issues, providing clients with strategic insights into how federal agencies build cases, evaluate settlements, and make enforcement decisions. His extensive trial experience includes some of Idaho’s most significant federal prosecutions, and his courtroom expertise enables him to deliver powerful advocacy for clients whether defending against government investigations, litigating complex commercial disputes, or managing crisis situations that threaten business operations. Josh also brings extensive appellate experience, having argued multiple cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and supervising the appellate practice at the United States Attorney’s Office.
“Josh's addition to our Boise office brings exceptional value to our Idaho clients and strengthens our litigation team," said Gabe Hamilton, Administrative Partner of Holland & Hart's Boise office. "Josh has built an outstanding reputation for integrity and civility with federal and state judges throughout Idaho prosecuting some of the states most significant cases, including recently serving as a special prosecutor on the Kohberger trial team. His understanding of how Idaho's legal landscape operates—from state courts to regulatory agencies—combined with his trial experience, make him a powerful addition to our litigation practice.”
“Josh is exactly the caliber of seasoned trial attorney who enhances our litigation capabilities not just in Idaho, but for clients nationwide," said Matt Smith, Leader of Holland & Hart's Commercial Litigation Practice Group. "His decade-plus of federal prosecution experience brings exceptional depth and breadth to our practice, and his proven ability to seamlessly transition between offensive and defensive litigation strategies gives our clients a distinct competitive advantage. Josh's skill in managing complex cases from investigation through trial, combined with his deep understanding of how government agencies approach enforcement decisions, makes him an invaluable addition to our litigation team.”
“When I decided to return to private practice, I wanted to work with the smartest, most talented lawyers on sophisticated cases while continuing to build community here in Idaho," said Josh. "Holland & Hart was the clear choice. The firm's commitment to giving back to the Boise and Treasure Valley communities is important to me both personally and professionally. I'm excited to bring my litigation experience to help clients navigate complex legal challenges while contributing to the firm's tradition of community service.”
About Holland & Hart
Holland & Hart is a full-service law firm with nearly 500 lawyers in 14 offices. Throughout the Mountain West, from coast to coast and beyond, Holland & Hart provides clients with astute legal counsel from a vantage like no other. For more information, visit hollandhart.com.