Prominent U.S. Attorney Joins Jones Walker

LAFAYETTE, La., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre L.L.P. announced today that former United States Attorney Donald W. Washington has joined the firm and will practice from the firm's Lafayette office.

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Mr. Washington's practice will focus on complex civil litigation, federal and state criminal investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, and internal investigations and compliance programs in such industries as health care, maritime, and energy. He comes to Jones Walker after serving as the presidentially-appointed United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana from September 2001 until his recent departure from public service.

Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, Mr. Washington was in the private practice of law from 1996-2001. He held various business, engineering, and legal positions at Conoco Inc. from 1982-1996, including serving as Chief Counsel for Conoco's Gulf of Mexico Division from 1993-1996.

Mr. Washington has more than 20 years of experience as a trial attorney and litigator. In addition to his recent experience in federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation, he has litigated cases in the areas of tort claims, commercial contracts, admiralty, insurance, employment, and toxic tort exposure.

William H. Hines, Jones Walker's managing partner, said, "Don's extensive background as in-house corporate counsel, conducting corporate investigations, and in litigation will build upon our strong litigation practice, and he is a particularly good complement to our existing practice in the area of health care and energy litigation, white collar crime, and government investigations. The depth of his knowledge and experience navigating complex legal issues and federal investigations will be a huge asset."

Gary J. Russo, head of the firm's Lafayette office, agreed, "Don has been an exemplary U.S. Attorney for this region and we look forward to his joining Jones Walker, and particularly the Lafayette office."

Mr. Washington said, "I chose to join Jones Walker because the firm has a well-established practice that has tremendous talent and presents exciting, geographically diverse representation opportunities. It provides an excellent platform for someone with my background to continue serving clients seeking a just resolution to their legal issues, while practicing with some of the most prominent and widely recognized lawyers in the nation."

Mr. Washington is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and his juris doctor degree from the South Texas College of Law in 1989, after serving as a commissioned officer in the United States Army.

Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre L.L.P. (www.joneswalker.com) 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, Louisiana, and Texas.

SOURCE Jones Walker