Atty. James E. "Jim" Wright III
Jim Wright is a partner in the Maritime and Litigation practice groups. He represents clients in a broad range of commercial disputes, regulatory investigations, and criminal cases.
Admiralty and Maritime Law & More Attorney · Serving New Orleans, LA · 48+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About James E. "Jim" Wright III at a Glance
James E. "Jim" Wright III is a maritime attorney based in New Orleans, Louisiana, practicing at Jones Walker Llp. They have 48+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1978. Admitted to practice in Louisiana (1978). Educated at Georgia Institute of Technology (BS) and Louisiana State University (JD). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Admiralty and Maritime Law (2026) and Best Lawyers in America — Transportation Law (2026). Serves clients in New Orleans, LA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About James E. "Jim" Wright III
- Jim Wright is a partner in the Maritime and Litigation practice groups
- He represents clients in a broad range of commercial disputes, regulatory investigations, and criminal cases
- Jim has more than four decades of experience as a trial attorney in civil and criminal jury and judge trials in federal and state courts
- His areas of practice include maritime, white collar crime, oil and gas regulatory enforcement, environmental, customs, gaming regulatory enforcement, commercial litigation, products liability, personal injury, and professional errors and omissions cases
- Jim has represented plaintiffs and defendants in major maritime litigation in a range of disputes, including the failure of downhole drilling equipment causing the loss of a well, the failure of mooring equipment on a deep water drilling rig, defense of civil claims arising out of the hijacking of a container ship by Somali pirates, and the sinking of a bulk carrier vessel in the North Atlantic with the loss of the crew of 37
- He has represented numerous clients involved in federal grand jury investigations arising out of alleged environmental crimes and other federal crimes
- He has also represented clients in hearings before US Coast Guard Marine boards of investigations and other US Coast Guard investigations of marine casualties and accidents
- He also advises and represents oil and gas clients before federal and state agencies on matters relating to enforcement of oil and gas regulations involving decommissioning orders
- On behalf of gaming licensees, he appears before gaming regulatory bodies in connection with gaming enforcement actions
- Prior to joining Jones Walker in 1980, Jim served as an assistant US attorney in the Criminal Division of the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, where he worked in the major drug traffic unit and the general crimes unit, handling federal grand jury investigations and prosecuting mail fraud, perjury, customs crimes, conspiracies to import and distribute controlled substances, false statements to government agencies, theft of government information, environmental crimes, and kidnapping cases
Practice Areas Explained
James E. "Jim" Wright III's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases James E. "Jim" Wright III handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in New Orleans.
Maritime & Admiralty Law in New Orleans
Maritime attorneys for Jones Act claims, longshore injury, cruise ship cases, and offshore matters.
James E. "Jim" Wright III is one of 11,459 maritime attorneys indexed nationally. Browse maritime attorneys in Louisiana →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in New Orleans
Practicing law in Louisiana. Legal matters in Louisiana are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in New Orleans are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Louisiana state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Louisiana brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Louisiana courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
New Orleans Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a New Orleans-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Louisiana attorneys? Browse all attorneys in New Orleans or all attorneys in Louisiana.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in New Orleans Choose James E. "Jim" Wright III
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish James E. "Jim" Wright III's practice in the field of maritime.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
James E. "Jim" Wright III brings 48+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Focused Maritime Practice
Concentrating on maritime means James E. "Jim" Wright III's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in New Orleans
A New Orleans-based practice means James E. "Jim" Wright III attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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