2021
LEADERS
Partner
Worth Watching
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INTERNATIONAL
Education: Juris Doctor, Florida International University College of Law; BA, marketing cum laude, Loyola University New Orleans Company Name: Jones Walker LLP Industry: Law & legal services Company CEO: Bill Hines, Managing Partner Company Headquarters Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Number of Employees: 500+ Your Location (if different from above): Miami, Florida Words you live by: Keep it simple. Who is your personal hero? Winston Churchill What book are you reading? Principles by Ray Dalio What was your first job? Intern for Flagler Development Group Favorite charity: Shriners Hospitals for Children Interests: Fishing Family: Married, with 2-year-old twins
Know that Your Hispanic Heritage Is an Asset In my law career, I have worked hard and been committed to my legal practice. I was promoted to partnership in 2017, and I was chosen to be the head of Jones Walker’s Miami office in 2019. I attribute my successes to not only my passion for law but also to my upbringing—the unique experience of being raised in Miami as a first-generation American and son of Cuban exiles. Because my parents fled a communist dictatorship, I was always keenly aware of how lucky I was to live in this country and thankful for all of the opportunities it gave my family. I also believe my Jesuit education played a significant role in shaping my outlook on the world and the responsibility we have as “men for others” to better our community. Latino business leaders must mentor and support the next generation. I think it is important to instill confidence in the next generation and teach them that their Hispanic background is an asset in the business world, since we are the fastest growing minority group in the United States. Accordingly, both leaders 56
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in corporate America and in politics are always looking for ways to connect with the Hispanic community, which presents young Hispanics with a monumental opportunity to share their backgrounds. As Latino business leaders, we have to encourage the next generation to embrace their heritage, master their mother language of Spanish, and expose them to businesses that value input from bicultural employees. I have been lucky enough to have mentors in my professional life like George Fowler, who made the most of his Cuban background to establish himself as one of the leading international lawyers in the United States. Similarly, in my personal life, my brother Tom has used his Hispanic background to achieve success in his career in broadcast journalism. Because of his Hispanic background, he has been able to conduct interviews with foreign leaders in Spanish, as well as deliver stories regarding immigration with a personal touch. Both of these mentors are very proud to be Latino and have leveraged their heritage to achieve
great professional success. Personally, without my bicultural background, I do not think I would be adequately equipped to handle and efficiently respond to my various international cases. I am proud of my Cuban heritage, and I always want to make sure that Latino students, young professionals, and lawyers receive equal opportunities for education and employment. Within the firm, I am a part of the Jones Walker Women’s Initiative and co-lead its Latin American group. In my community, I was elected and serve as a board member of the Hispanic National Bar Foundation, an organization with a mission to help Hispanics achieve their potential through access to higher education and to increase diversity in the legal profession. I believe that it is important to recognize the opportunities granted to me by my professional and personal mentors, and that it is our responsibility as Latino leaders to pay it forward and continue providing these same experiences for younger community members. www.diversityjournal.com
AWARD
LATINO
Luis Llamas
