James E. Held (February 16, 1938 – October 15, 1967) was an American lawyer and politician from Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

He was elected to represent the northern suburbs of Milwaukee in the 1967 session, but died ten months into that term in a traffic accident.

Prior to serving in the Assembly, Held was an assistant to county executive John Doyne.

Held practiced law and worked as a staffer in the office of the Milwaukee County executive, John Doyne.

He died a short time after the accident at Milwaukee County General Hospital, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.