William H. "Bill" Hines

William H. "Bill" Hines


Jones Walker LLP

Recognized since 1999

New Orleans, Louisiana

Practice Areas

Banking and Finance Law

Corporate Law

Insurance Law

International Trade and Finance Law

Project Finance Law

Real Estate Law

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Bill Hines is managing partner of Jones Walker and a member of the Corporate Practice Group. Passionate about economic and cultural development in New Orleans, across Louisiana, and throughout the Gulf South, Bill has been a legal, business, and civic leader for more than 35 years. Since 2006, he has led Jones Walker through a period of significant growth. During this time, the firm’s client base has expanded to include leading regional, national, and international corporations, banks and financial institutions, emerging enterprises, family-owned businesses, professional sports teams, and state and local governments. In addition to his work as primary ambassador for Jones Walker, Bill is deeply connected to the business, cultural, civic, and charitable communities in the region. Among his numerous leadership roles, he has served as founding chairman of the board of Greater New Orleans, Inc., and as chairman of the boards of the MetroVision Economic Development Partnership, The Idea Village, the Downtown Development District of the City of New Orleans, and the Louisiana Committee of 100 For Economic Development. He also has held board and leadership positions with the New Orleans Business Council, the World Trade Center of New Orleans, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation (including serving as co-chair of the NCAA 2003 Final Four Host Committee), and the civic taskforce that persuaded the NBA Hornets (now Pelicans) to relocate to New Orleans. Bill regularly supports a broad range of charitable, cultural, and educational institutions. He has served as chairman of the boards of UNITY of Greater New Orleans, the Council for a Better Louisiana, the New Orleans Arts Council, the United Way for Greater New Orleans, the New Orleans Region Community Advisory Board of Teach for America, and WYES-TV 12, and in leadership positions for Son of a Saint, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, the Bayou District Foundation, the Louisiana State Museum Foundation, the Ochsner Health System Board, and the Tulane University President's Council, among other institutions. In recognition of his service and contributions, Bill was chosen by NOLA Media Group for its New Orleans Tricentennial "300 for 300" list as one of the 300 people who made New Orleans a better place over the past 300 years (click here to read the full feature). Earlier in his career, New Orleans CityBusiness carried a front-page story profiling Bill as one of the leading economic developers in the City of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana (click here to read the full article). Bill has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Insurance Law, International Trade and Finance Law, Project Finance Law, and Real Estate Law since 1999. He has been listed in Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Business/Corporate since 2007. Bill has an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating in Martindale-Hubbell.


Location
  • 201 Saint Charles Avenue
    New Orleans, LA 70170-5100
Education
  • University of Virginia, J.D., graduated 1982
  • Princeton University, A.B., graduated 1978
Bar Admissions
  • Louisiana, LA
Affiliations
  • American Bar Association, Sections of Business Law, International Law, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, Law Practice Management - Committee on Banking Law; Committee on Commercial Financial Service Subcommittee on Maritime Financing; Committee on Partnership and Unincorporated Business Organization; Publishing Advisory Board (1994–1996)
  • Fellows of the American Bar Foundation - Member (2002 to date)
  • Justice for All Ball of The Pro Bono Project for the Greater New Orleans Region - Honoray Chair (2007)
  • Lex Mundi - The Managing Partners Committee; North American Vice Chairman (2012-2014)
  • Louisiana Bar Foundation - Fellow (2003 to date)
  • Louisiana Consular Corps - Vice-Dean (January 2021 to date)
  • Louisiana State Bar Association, Sections of Civil Law, Corporate and Business Law, Corporation and Business Law, International Law, Trusts, Estates, Probate, and Immovable Property Law - Member
  • Maritime Law Association of the United States - Committee on Marine Financing; Committee on Maritime Legislation
  • New Orleans Bar Association - Member; Executive Committee of Young Lawyers Division (1984-1985)
  • Ochsner Health System - Board of Directors (2003 to date); Chairman, Nominating Committee (2009 to date); Chairman, Governance Committee (commencing 2014)
  • State of Louisiana - Honorary Consul of Portugal (2000 to date)
Court Admissions
  • US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
  • US District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana

Jones Walker LLP
Headquarters: New Orleans, Louisiana

151 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

39 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Visit Website View Firm Profile

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Insurance Law
  • International Trade and Finance Law
  • Project Finance Law
  • Real Estate Law
Special Focus:
  • Finance
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Secured Lending
Awards:
  • World Trade Center of New Orleans, Eugene J. Schreiber Award and Order of the Plimsoll Mark (2021) – Given in recognition of contributions and leadership in driving international trade for Louisiana and the Gulf Coast Region
  • NOLA Media Group, 300 for 300 (New Orleans Tricentennial) – chosen as one of the 300 people who made New Orleans a better place over the past 300 years (2018)
  • CBNO-MAC 50th Anniversary Diana Lewis Citizen Participation Award (2016)
  • UNITY of Greater New Orleans Award, Outstanding Leadership to End Homelessness (2016)
  • Southeast Louisiana Council, Boy Scouts of America, Distinguished Citizen Award (2015)
  • Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans, Inc., Business Hall of Fame (2012)
  • American Red Cross, Southeast Louisiana Chapter, Humanitarian of the Year Award (2003) – Recognized for his outstanding involvement in local philanthropy
  • Family Service of Greater New Orleans, Ten Outstanding Persons Honoree (2002)
  • The Young Leadership Council, Role Model Award (2002)
  • Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana, Sanchez to Sanchez to Smith Award (2002) – Given in recognition of an individual's active role with the Hispanic business community both locally and internationally
  • St. Elizabeth's Guild, Volunteer Activists Award (2002) – Given in recognition of outstanding charitable, cultural, and civic volunteer services contributed to our community
  • Victims & Citizens Against Crime, Inc., Award of Merit (2002) – For awareness of the plight of crime victims, willingness to work with VCAC to resolve the problems of crime, and dedication to the citizens of Louisiana
  • New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce, The Joseph W. Simon Memorial Award (2002) – The Chamber’s highest honor
  • Metropolitan Crime Commission, The Philip L. Frank, Sr., Memorial Award (2002) – Awarded to a civilian who exhibits the highest standards of personal and professional integrity and in recognition of the awardee's efforts to promote good government and suppress crime, corruption, or unethical activities in the metropolitan New Orleans area
  • MetroVision, Leadership Award (2001) – In grateful appreciation for outstanding support and leadership
  • New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce, Chairman’s Award (2001) – For exemplary volunteer performance

Publications

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