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  • James R. Jones

    Partner
    Chairman & CEO of ManattJones Global Strategies
     jjones@manattjones.com
    Download Contact (.vcf)

    Washington
    Direct: 202.585.6560
    General: 202.585.6500
    Fax: 202.585.6600
    Education

    Georgetown University Law Center, LL.B., 1964.

     

    University of Oklahoma, B.A., 1961.
    Bar Admissions

    Oklahoma

    Washington, D.C.
    • Profile
    • Representative Matters
    • Honors & Awards
    • Publications
    • Memberships & Activities
    • Speaking Engagements

    Profile

    James Jones’ practice focuses on international trade, investment and commerce, business-government relations and financial services.  A former U.S. Ambassador and Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mr. Jones has also has worked extensively with global distribution and marketing organizations targeting Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. 

    Mr. Jones currently provides business development advice and consulting for clients primarily in Mexico and Latin America.  For example, he provided strategic advice to a multinational automobile manufacturer based in Asia and assisted it in entering the Mexico market.  He works with major energy firms in Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador and Lithuania.  He counseled a U.S. insurance company in its purchase of a privatized Mexican insurance company as well as a U.S.-Mexico joint venture to build a water-treatment project in Mexico.  He is assisting a U.S.-based resort developer in establishing projects in Mexico and Latin America, and assisting a Class I U.S. railroad with investments in Mexico and Panama.  He works with companies and investment funds on restructuring and settlement of debt obligations.  Additionally, Mr. Jones counsels clients on both business and government strategies in the United States.

    Prior to joining Manatt, Mr. Jones served as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico from 1993 to 1997, demonstrating leadership during the Mexican peso crisis and the passage and implementation of NAFTA, developing new, cooperative efforts to combat drug trafficking, and assisting U.S. businesses with commercial ventures. 

    Mr. Jones’ previous experience includes the position of President at Warnaco International and Chairman and CEO of the American Stock Exchange in New York.  During his tenure at AMEX, listings, revenues and market share increased.

    As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma (1973-1987), he was Chairman of the House Budget Committee and ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, where he was active in tax, international trade, Social Security and healthcare policy.

    Mr. Jones was only 28 years old when President Lyndon Johnson selected him as Appointments Secretary, the position presently titled Chief of Staff.  He was the youngest person in history to hold this position.

    Representative Matters

    Honors & Awards

    The Best Lawyers in America, 2008-2013.

    Washington, D.C’s Top Lawyers, 2009.

    Distinguished Alumni Award, Oklahoma University, Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications, 2009.

    Distinguished Alumni Award, Georgetown University.

    Aztec Eagle Award, highest honor the Mexican government can bestow on a non-Mexican, 1997.

    Oklahoma Hall of Fame, inducted 1997.

    Prime Minister’s International Trade Award from Prime Minister of Japan, 1991.

    American Heritage Award from Anti-Defamation League, 1990.

    Honorary Doctor of Laws from Lafayette College, 1996.

    Honorary Doctor of Laws from Syracuse University, 1995.

    Ten Outstanding Young Men of America, U.S. Jaycees, 1968.

    Publications

    Memberships & Activities

    Council Member, Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) of U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2012-present. 

    Director, Drug Strategies 2010 – Present.

    Director, National Crime Prevention Council, 2009-2010.

    Vice Chairman of Homeland Security Southwest Border Task Force, 2009-present.

    Director, Anheuser-Busch, 1997 to 2008.

    Director, Kansas City Southern Railway, 1997 to 2010.

    Director, Grupo Modelo, 1997 to 2009.

    Director, San Luis Corporation, 1999 to present.

    Chairman (nonexecutive) of GlobeRanger Corporation, a software logistics company, 1999 to present.

    Chairman of Meridian International in Washington, D.C., 2001 to present.

    Director, Kaiser Family Foundation, 1997 to 2008.

    Chairman, U.S.-Mexico Business Commission, 1997 to 2008.

    Director, Committee For a Responsible Federal Budget  1997-Present.

    Director, Institute For Representative Government 2005-Present.

    Director, American Academy of Diplomacy 2004-Present.

    National Chairman, World Affairs Councils of America, 2003 to 2008.

    Director, Keyspan Energy Corporation, 1998 to 2007.

    Chairman of the International Business Council of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, 2000-2003.

    Director, American Red Cross, 1997-2003.

    Admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Oklahoma.

    Member, the District of Columbia Bar Association and the Oklahoma Bar Association.

    Speaking Engagements

    Speaker, "Public Affairs in Mexico: Recent Elections and Beyond," Public Affairs Council, Washington, D.C., July 11, 2012.

    Panelist, "The Latin American Decade: Taking Advantage of Opportunities," AACCLA Mid-Year Term Meeting: Business Future of the Americas Conference 2012, Mexico City, Mexico, May 14, 2012. 

    Moderator, "NAFTA Zone," The Business Council, Washington, D.C., May 11, 2012.

    Panelist, "At a Crossroads: Mexico’s Pivotal Election," International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Washington, D.C., March 12, 2012.

    Speaker, "Public Affairs in Mexico," Public Affairs Council Webinar, July 28, 2011.

    Speaker, "Going Global Overnight – Part II: Building Sustainable Investment in Emerging Markets," BIO International Convention, Washington, D.C.,  June 28, 2011.

    Testify at Hearing entitled, "The Colombia and Panama Free Trade Agreement: National Security and Foreign Policy Priorities", before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, March, 2011.

    Speaker, Annual Border Security Expo 2011, Phoenix, AZ, March, 2011.

    Panelist, "Protecting Our Borders," National Journal Policy Summit, Washington, D.C., March 28, 2011.

    Interview, "Prime Minister Calderon's official visit to the US," BBC World News TV with George Alagiah, London, May 19, 2010.

    Speaker, Annual Border Security Expo 2010, Phoenix, AZ, April 28, 2010.

    Speaker, "Josh Lee Lecture,"  University of Oklahoma Political Communication Center, March 25, 2010.

    Speaker, "Red Ink Rising," Peterson-Pew Commission on Budget Reform, 2009.

    Speaker, Ambassador’s Series for Springfield, Illinois Public Broadcasting, 2009.

    Speaker, Annual Lecture on Diversity and Humanity, Rogers State University, 2009.

    Keynote Speaker, GLTE Conference on Climate Change and Environment, 2009.

    Keynote Speaker, HSBC Latin America Economic Conference, 2009.

    Speaker, Chicago Council on Foreign Relations on North American Economy, 2009.