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About Attorney

Carolyn O'Neal Hines

Growing up in Alexandria, Louisiana with a Peruvian mother and an American father, I saw many family members struggle through the immigration process.

As I became older, I realized that I wanted to be a part of that process and help those just like my family navigate the difficult and confusing laws to find some ultimate peace and permanence.

I attended and graduated from Holy Savior Menard Central High School and went on to Louisiana College, where I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. Next, I pursued my legal studies at Southern University Law Center and graduated with honors. I was an active member of Phi Alpha Delta, Southern University Women in Law, and the Business Law Society, and I was also awarded the CALI award for exceptional performance in Constitutional Law.

After completing law school, I had the honor of becoming a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Judge Mary Lauve Doggett at the Ninth Judicial District Court in Rapides, Parish, State of Louisiana.

I chose immigration law because I see my family in the faces of all of my clients – and because of my fluency in the Spanish language. I realized there were not many attorneys in Louisiana who could effectively communicate with their clients, and I wanted to fill that gap.

Immigrants are a vital part of our community, and practicing immigration law allows me to help people seeking a better life, safe harbor, or the ability to be with their family members.

I’m so happy that I was able to grow up surrounded by all my family members here in the U.S. after my mother first immigrated, and I love helping other families do the same. I'm also lucky to have found something I am so passionate about that I get to call "work."

Outside of the courtroom, I am active in the local bar associations, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and am asked to speak frequently at many CLEs pertaining to immigration.

I also run Know Your Rights Workshops for local communities through the Catholic churches in my area. Essentially, we help individuals prepare in case of an I.C.E. raid and ensure their families can be cared for in case they are detained and removed.

I love spending time with my family, traveling, and taking care of our chickens, ducks, rabbits, and dogs.

EDUCATION

  • Southern University Law Center, Juris Doctor 2011, Cum Laude
  • Louisiana College, Bachelors of Science in Public Administration, 2008
  • Holy Savior Menard High School, 2004

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN:

  • State Courts in Louisiana, including the Louisiana Supreme Court, Louisiana Courts of Appeal, District Courts, & City Courts
  • All Immigration Courts
  • United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana

PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES

  • Alexandria Bar Association – Executive Council 2016 – 2021 
  • Alexandria Bar Association President 2021-2022
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Louisiana Association of Justice (Louisiana Trial Lawyers’ Association) 2013 – 2016
  • American Immigration Lawyers’ Association 2017 – 2022
  • Board of Directors for Montessori Educational Center 2013 – 2016

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