Press Release

NEW ORLEANS and WASHINGTON—William H. Hines, Managing Partner of the law firm of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre L.L.P., and Norma Jane Sabiston, President of Sabiston Consulting, today announced a strategic alliance between their two firms.

In making the announcement, both firms emphasized that the alliance enhances both firms' ability and effectiveness in Louisiana and other Gulf South states as well as in Washington, D.C. The agreement between the two firms is effective January 1, 2009.

Mr. Hines commented, "Norma Jane Sabiston is an experienced government relations professional who has served both Senators Breaux and Landrieu, as well as Congressman Billy Tauzin. She has a deep understanding of the U.S. Senate and the workings of Congress, and will give our firm and our clients a very experienced counselor on government relations issues.

"As a result of her years serving Senator Landrieu as her Chief of Staff, Norma Jane knows the State of Louisiana and Washington in a way few can equal," added Mr. Hines.

Norma Jane Sabiston opened Sabiston Consulting after serving for 10 years as Chief of Staff for Senator Mary Landrieu's office, and prior to that, in numerous Congressional staff and advisory positions to Presidential, Senatorial and state campaigns.

Ms. Sabiston stated, "This strategic alliance makes sense on many levels. We expand the services we both are able to offer to our clients, and the culture between the two firms is a great fit. Together, our firms can provide even better counsel to our clients across the Gulf South. Jones Walker has deep and broad experience with the critical issues still facing our state and the region, and we believe having our voice heard in Washington is more critical than ever before.

"I have always believed that the Gulf South states have particular interests, and it made sense for the Congressional delegations from those states to work closely together on a bipartisan basis on behalf of those common interests. With this alliance, our offices in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Mobile, Houston, Montgomery, and Birmingham, as well as in Atlanta and Miami, permit us to facilitate the needed coordination of public efforts throughout the Gulf South," said Ms. Sabiston.

Sabiston Consulting provides advice to its client on public affairs, political and government issues.

Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre L.L.P. provides a comprehensive range of legal services to a national and international corporate client base through offices in Alabama, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.

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