District Attorney Michael R. Holley
Guided by Integrity. Committed to Montgomery County.
Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott on October 29, 2025, District Attorney Michael R. “Mike” Holley brings more than two decades of courtroom experience, leadership, and public service to the people of Montgomery County.
A decorated U.S. Army veteran and board-certified expert in criminal law, Holley began his legal career in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where he prosecuted and defended criminal cases and later served as a Professor of Criminal Law. Following his military service, he practiced at The Lanier Law Firm before joining the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office in 2012.
Holley quickly rose through the ranks, being named First Assistant District Attorney in 2016. For more than a decade, he has helped guide one of Texas’s most respected prosecutor’s offices — working to ensure fairness, accountability, and the pursuit of justice for every citizen.
A summa cum laude graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law and recipient of multiple awards for ethics and achievement, Holley is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of Montgomery County. His leadership continues the office’s proud tradition of integrity, service, and unwavering dedication to justice.
District Attorney Mike Holley was sworn in as the Montgomery County District Attorney on October 29, 2025.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office experienced a seamless transition in leadership, as District Attorney Mike Holley assumed the role following his appointment by Governor Greg Abbott.
Guided by the same dedication to justice and service that has long defined this office, the transition reflects a continued commitment to the people of Montgomery County.
Meet District Attorney Michael Holley:
District Attorney Michael R. Holley is a Board-Certified criminal law specialist whose career reflects over two decades of service, leadership, and commitment to justice both in the courtroom and in defense of our nation.
A graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law, Holley earned his Juris Doctor summa cum laude in 1999, ranking fourth in his class. During his time at Tech, he was elected to the Order of the Coif, received the Fortney Award for Ethics and the Judge Meade F. Griffin Award for Outstanding Achievement, and earned the highest grade in multiple courses. He later completed a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in Military Law at The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia, where his thesis—focused on ensuring that soldiers receive adequately skilled defense counsel—was selected for conference presentation.
He would later return to the JAG School as a Professor of Criminal Law, instructing service members from every branch of the U.S. military, including future military judges.
Holley began his career serving in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where he advised commanders on operational and administrative law and later served as both a prosecutor and senior defense counsel in Korea, Japan, and Thailand. In 2004, he was individually selected by the Army to lead the prosecution team for the Abu Ghraib detainee abuse cases, one of the most significant and high-profile military prosecutions of its time. His leadership in those cases earned national recognition and underscored his reputation for exceptional trial skill, professionalism, and integrity.
Following his military service, Holley entered private practice, where he handled complex civil litigation, including antitrust and product liability cases. Despite his success in the private sector, he felt a strong pull back toward public service and the courtroom.
In 2012, Holley joined the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, initially serving as a misdemeanor and felony prosecutor before being personally selected by District Attorney Brett Ligon in 2016 to serve as First Assistant District Attorney. In that role, Holley oversaw the daily operations of more than 120 prosecutors, investigators, and staff; advised the District Attorney on all office matters; and continued to try major felony cases. His leadership emphasized mentorship, ethics, and collaboration with law enforcement partners across the region.
In 2025, Holley was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott as the District Attorney for Montgomery County, where he continues his lifelong commitment to justice, integrity, and service. His experience—from the battlefield to the courtroom—shapes his vision for an office that remains tough on crime, fair in judgment, and dedicated to protecting the people of Montgomery County.