Dr. James R. Jones
The Honorable James R. Jones attended the University of Oklahoma from 1957-61 where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Sciences at which time he was also commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Military Intelligence branch and served as a counter-intelligence officer. In 1964 he was awarded a law degree from Georgetown Law Center after which he served 2 years active duty and 7 years in the Army Reserve. After his active military duty he became legislative assistant to U. S. Representative Ed Edmondson. At the age of 28 he was selected by President Lyndon B. Johnson to serve as “appointments secretary” a position now known as Chief of Staff. He remains the youngest person in history to hold this position. In 1972 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma where he served until 1987. He served as ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the House Budget Committee. In 1989 he was appointed Chairman and CEO of the American Stock Exchange where he served until 1993 at which time President Clinton appointed him as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. During his tenure as Ambassador he was awarded the Aztec Eagle Award, the highest honor the Mexican government can bestow upon a non-Mexican. He is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and has honorary Doctor of Law degrees from Lafayette College and Syracuse University, and was awarded the Prime Minister’s International Trade Award from the Prime Minister of Japan. Mr. Jones is currently a partner in the Washington DC law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, and LLC with a focus in international trade, investment and commerce, business and government relations and financial services. He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association, Oklahoma Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Earlier this year he was recognized as one of the “Best Lawyers” in America 2008. He is an active speaker to various national and international organizations and serves on numerous corporate boards of directors.