Jones Walker expands State Government Relations Practice with Addition of Stephen Waguespack

NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Walker announced that Stephen Waguespack has joined the firm as Special Counsel.  In this capacity, he will also serve as the Director of Jones Walker's Multi-State Government Relations practice.  Mr. Waguespack will coordinate the State Government Relations practice throughout the firm and also focus on representing and developing new business and economic development opportunities.

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"We are thrilled to have Stephen join the firm. He is a strong addition to our team," remarked William H. Hines, firm managing partner. "Stephen's experience and reputation in government will be a tremendous asset to our clients confronted with regulatory and policy issues, and his experience in fostering new economic development and business opportunities will help build on our strong tradition in that area."

Prior to joining Jones Walker, Mr. Waguespack served in several key positions for Governor Bobby Jindal, most recently as Chief of Staff.  Throughout his tenure, he also served as Policy Director, Deputy Chief of Staff and Executive Counsel.   He served as the lead attorney and negotiator for the Governor and worked closely with stakeholders, legislators and other officials to develop and execute the Governor's agenda for the state.

Chuck McMains, Government Relations Special Counsel in Baton Rouge, noted, "our Government Relations team has worked closely with Stephen during his tenure with Governor Jindal and his ability to deliver common sense and effective solutions to legislative, executive and industry challenges will be a key asset to the firm."

Mr. Waguespack has been the lead advocate in the Legislature on the Governor's policy initiatives. In the 2007 Governor's campaign, Mr. Waguespack served as then-Congressman Bobby Jindal's policy director. Before that, he spent the previous 10 years in Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill, as a consultant for The Alpine Group and senior legislative aide to U.S. Congressman Joe Barton of Texas.

"Having Stephen join our firm and also coordinate our state government relations practice significantly strengthens our ability to meet client needs throughout the Gulf Coast," added Dennis Miller,  Government Relations partner in the Jackson, Miss. office.

Mr. Waguespack holds a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Louisiana State University and a juris doctor degree from The Columbus School of Law at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the Louisiana State Bar and a native of Gonzales, Louisiana.  He, his wife Colleen, and their three sons live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

About Jones Walker
Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre L.L.P. (www.joneswalker.com), with more than 375 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, and Texas.

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