With his predecessor Jim Martin looking on, Gavin Holihan was administered the oath of office Jan. 2 by Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Senior Judge Carol K. McGinley, becoming the county’s new district attorney.

Holihan’s family, including Nancy Holihan, Melissa Holihan, Travis and Elizabeth Holihan, and Landa and Lamont Carrington, was in attendance.

Lehigh County detectives and assistant district attorneys were also sworn in at the ceremony.

Two new attorneys include First Assistant District Attorney Eric K. Dowdle and Chief of Prosecutions Patricia Fuentes Mulqueen.

Following the ceremony, Holihan met with reporters outside the courtroom. His message for residents was clear: Addressing violent crime in the county would be his top priority.

He succeeds Martin, who served as district attorney for 25 years.

Holihan reflected on their professional relationship.

“Over my career, he’s been more of an adviser than a mentor,” Holihan said. “I spent most of my career as a criminal defense attorney.

“And, for almost my entire career as a criminal defense attorney, he’s been the district attorney,” he added. “We’ve been adversaries more than a mentor relationship.

“As of last year, I’ve been his first assistant,” Holihan said. “It’s been fun and educational.”

Holihan said knowing both the roles of a prosecutor and that of a defense attorney will make him a better district attorney, understanding strategies of each side, as well as the human element in each case.

“They often say it’s different sides of the same coin, but it’s much deeper than that,” Holihan said. “Working well, doing both sides well, really complements the other side. It allows me to see what both sides of the issue are.”

He was asked what he wants the Holihan years to be known for in terms of issues of priority.

“Violent crime,” Holihan replied. “I think we spend a lot of time, money and energy on minor offenses, low-level offenses, that seem to have little impact on the community. While some of those resources are better spent on violent crime, we should be more creative on the approach to violent crime.

“So, I think we are going to take a harsher approach on people who have significant criminal histories,” he said. “I think we are going to take a harsher approach on gun crimes - when the guns were used in violent crimes, in offense or just possession, especially with repeat offenders.”