Jones Walker LLP

We understand that expanding into a new state or region is a challenge—one requiring the experience of attorneys well-versed in economic development law and incentive negotiation. From conception to completion, Jones Walker represents private interests in all aspects of economic development projects. Our broad-based representation begins with a thorough understanding of each project to better serve the goals of the client. We emphasize practical advice, recognizing that today's economic development clients often face difficulties in areas outside traditional finance and development law. In 2008, Southern Business & Development magazine named Jones Walker one of the "Top Ten Firms that Understand Economic Development," an honor reflecting our attorneys' capabilities in this area.

Our attorneys assist businesses with incentives, tax, environmental, real estate, tax credits, tax increment financing, utilities and labor and employment issues. We negotiate custom solutions that are both effective and cost-conscious. Our experienced economic development attorneys employ multiple areas of legal practice with an understanding of tax, public and private partnerships and finance, real estate development, administrative law and government relations to provide clients with innovative options for financing economic development projects.

Some solutions we have engineered for clients include ad valorem tax relief, tax strategies on franchises and sales taxes, economic development districts, economic development corporations, job programs, Enterprise Zone Programs, Federal Renewal Community Status, economic development programs and structures, development agreements, new markets and other tax credits, payroll rebates, equipment tax incentives, worker training programs, community development zones, and infrastructure improvements, as well as federal funding and grant opportunities.

We work closely with in-house and other company counsel; consultants; division, parent, and subsidiary administrators; CEOs; CFOs; tax administrators; human resources personnel; site selection consultants; engineers; architects; and financial advisers. Our longstanding relationships with state and local officials, economic development officials, and national site-selection consultants ensure confidence in negotiating agreements for public-private partnerships.

Diversity Mission Statement

Jones Walker LLP strives to encourage, foster and increase diversity across the firm. To this end, the Diversity Committee has adopted the goal of fostering a work environment that welcomes different perspectives, backgrounds and life experiences and ensures that an individual’s professional growth, experience or advancement is not limited because of gender, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability or other similar factor.

Purposes of the Diversity Committee

• To increase awareness of the importance of diversity within the firm and of the means by which diversity enriches the firm;
• To encourage all lawyers and staff members to develop mutual respect and appreciation for different perspectives and backgrounds; and
• To develop and implement strategies to assist the firm in recruiting, retaining and advancing staff and lawyers from diverse backgrounds.
• Jones Walker values all employees who contribute positively to the firm’s practice, the firm’s environment, and the greater community we serve.

In 2009, Jones Walker was named to MultiCultural Law Magazine’s list of "Top 100 Law Firms for Women," part of a series of listings of the top 100 law firms for diversity. The listings are compiled based on diversity statistics derived from annual surveys that the publication sends to law firms with more than 100 attorneys.