Press Release

NEW ORLEANS, November 18, 2015 – Jones Walker LLP is pleased to announce that the firm’s managing partner, William H. Hines, was recognized by the Southeast Louisiana Council, Boy Scouts of America as the 2015 Distinguished Citizen during a reception at the WWII Museum on November 17th in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

“Bill Hines is an outstanding lawyer who has led his law firm for many years with a business intellect rarely seen. That, however, was not enough for Bill. He has spent unimaginable hours contributing to our community, further leveraging his vision and leadership skills to make our community better in ways most of us never imagined possible. Despite his busy professional schedule, Bill always finds time not only to participate, but also to lead. He is a distinguished citizen and role model for us all and most deserving of this prestigious award, " said Joe Exnicios, President of the Board Southeast Louisiana Council, Boys Scouts of America and Chair of the organization’s Distinguished Citizen Award Committee.  

The Distinguished Citizen Award honors an individual of noteworthy and extraordinary leadership in the community. Each year a committee of Executive Board members of the Southeast Louisiana Council, Boy Scouts of America selects a citizen who inspires youth to lead, accepts responsibility, and cares about principles and causes beyond self-interest.

“I am very grateful to receive this recognition and humbled to join the roster of respected individuals who have been honored by the organization in the past,” said Hines. 

Mr. Hines’ professional career has been interwoven with deep civic and community involvement. In 2003 he received the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year Award for his outstanding involvement in local philanthropy. In 2002 Mr. Hines received both The Young Leadership Council’s Role Model Award and the Metropolitan Crime Commission’s Philip L. Frank, Sr. Memorial Award. He was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame by the Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans, Inc. and into the New Orleans CityBusiness Leadership in Law Hall of Fame. 

He currently serves as the Chairman of UNITY of Greater New Orleans, an organization leading the efforts to end homelessness in the Greater New Orleans area. Mr. Hines has been actively involved with The Idea Village as a member of the board since 2002 and, most recently, as the Chairman from July 2012 to July 2013. Mr. Hines has served as Chairman of the Board of Greater New Orleans, Inc. during its first year of existence, 2004 to 2005, and was the Chairman of the Board of the MetroVision Economic Development Partnership from 2001 to 2003. 

Mr. Hines serves on several local boards including The National World War II Museum, Bayou District Foundation, Tulane University President's Council, and Ochsner Clinic Foundation. He also currently serves in board and/or leadership positions with the Louisiana Appleseed, the World Trade Center of New Orleans, the New Orleans Business Council, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation (he also co-chaired the NCAA 2003 Final Four Host Committee), the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, and the Louisiana State Museum Foundation. 

He has completed terms as Board Chairman of the following organizations: the United Way for Greater New Orleans, the New Orleans Region Community Advisory Board of Teach for America, the Downtown Development District of the City of New Orleans, the Louisiana Committee of 100 for Economic Development, the Council for a Better Louisiana, the New Orleans Arts Council, and WYES-TV 12. 

Mr. Hines is a graduate of Princeton University (A.B. 1978) and the University of Virginia School of Law (J.D. 1982).

About Jones Walker Jones Walker LLP (www.joneswalker.com), with approximately 390 attorneys, provides a comprehensive range of legal services to a national and international corporate client base through offices in Alabama, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, and Texas.

About The Boy Scouts of America
The Southeast Louisiana Council, Boy Scouts of America (http://www.bsa-selacouncil.org/) will provide youth development and leadership programs to approximately 10,000 young people in 11 parishes through Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, Exploring and Learning for Life programs during 2015.