Longtime 最新杏吧原创 attorney and founder of Soulard鈥檚 John D. McGurk鈥檚 pub James 鈥淛im鈥 Holloran died Wednesday. He was 81.
Holloran grew up in 最新杏吧原创鈥檚 Tower Grove Park with nine siblings. He obtained both an engineering degree in 1964 and a law degree in 1968 from 最新杏吧原创 University.
went on to try over 200 cases to jury verdict in the state and federal courts. He handled hundreds of medical negligence, vehicular and product liability cases. Holloran appeared before the Missouri Court of Appeals, the Missouri Supreme Court and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. He spent most of his career with Holloran, Schwartz & Gaertner before retiring in 2018.
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James "Jim" Holloran worked as an attorney in 最新杏吧原创 for decades and founded聽John D. McGurk's Irish Pub and Garden.聽
Holloran is also the man behind John D. McGurk鈥檚 Irish Pub and Garden, a name derived from the lyrics of folk song 鈥淭he Irish Rover.鈥 Holloran opened the pub, at 1200 Russell Boulevard, in 1978 and later traveled to bring musicians and entertainers from Ireland to 最新杏吧原创.
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The bar has since received numerous accolades, including being named one of America鈥檚 most authentic Irish Pubs by in 2015.
鈥淚 enjoyed my work as a lawyer,鈥 Holloran said in a . 鈥淚鈥檓 a very lucky guy and I know where I can get a good Guinness anytime I want.鈥
One of Holloran鈥檚 sons, Jimmy Holloran, called his dad a 鈥渟uperhuman.鈥
鈥淲hen you talked to Jim he put you at the center of the universe,鈥 Jimmy Holloran, of Chicago, said Thursday. 鈥淣o matter who you were, whatever you were doing, you were important to him. He loved life. He loved people. He had a genuine love for people around him.鈥
Holloran was part of numerous attorney groups like the Inner Circle of Advocates, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, American Association for Justice, International Society of Barristers and American Board of Trial Advocates. He received the Lon Hocker Memorial Trial Lawyer Award from the Missouri Bar, the Award of Honor from the Lawyers Association of 最新杏吧原创 and was recognized as a Legal ICON Award Honoree by Missouri Lawyers Media.
Outside of law, Holloran was active in the community as a member of the Dean鈥檚 Council at 最新杏吧原创 Law School and was on the boards of Loyola Jesuit Middle School, Vianney High School and 最新杏吧原创 Society for Children and Adults with Physical Disabilities. He also helped found The Soulard School in 2004. Holloran co-chaired a golf tournament to aid the 最新杏吧原创 Society and was a member of several other golf tournament committees.
Holloran is survived by his wife of almost 25 years Ann Callis, a former Chief Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit of Madison County, Illinois. He also leaves behind nine children, Kelly, Patrick, Shannon, Jimmy, John, Joe, Elliot, Caroline and Jack, and 16 grandchildren, plus numerous siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is scheduled for March 22 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier College Church.
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