Rudene’s fascination with numbers and problem solving provides tangible benefits to her structured finance and securitization clients, while her focus on ensuring that diverse attorneys receive real opportunities for growth plays an elemental role in her broader achievements. 

She is co-leader of the firm’s servicer advance financing practice, and has historically represented Ginnie Mae in its Multiclass and Mortgage-Backed Securities programs. Rudene has contributed greatly to the success of this practice that enjoys top rankings in representing issuers and underwriters in US asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities. She solves client problems with wit and creativity while always focusing on the client’s particular business needs. The results of her work in the residential mortgage financing industry has helped make homeownership affordable and possible for many Americans.

In addition to her dedication to clients, Rudene is known for her devotion to fostering an environment that embraces differences, promotes equality and engenders mutual respect, and for creating a culture of inclusion where everyone has the opportunity to excel in the legal profession. As a firmwide hiring partner, Rudene is committed to expanding opportunities for diverse candidates. She advocates for diversity and inclusion issues, serving on the goals and metrics subcommittee of the firm’s diversity and inclusion committee, which focuses specifically on encouraging more diverse representation on client matters. She has served as a mentor to many attorneys and works tirelessly to demonstrate that diversity and excellent client service go hand in hand. Numerous awards and accolades are clear evidence of her success and the value of her contributions.

Outside the law firm, Rudene is a recognized leader in the community. Passionate about ending health disparities and racial inequities, Rudene was part of the trio that formed “Facts & Faith Fridays,” a series of weekly calls with the black faith community to provide accurate information on COVID-19, transmission, vaccination and improving outcomes. Dr. Anthony Fauci and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden have joined the discussions to address cancer, COVID-19 and other health-related concerns. The White House noted that the initiative is making strides to reduce health disparities and was cited as a model to be replicated across the country. 

Bar Admissions

Education
JD, The University of Texas School of Law, 1999

BA, Mathematics, University of Virginia, with distinction, 1996

• Representation of originators, servicers, lenders and placement agents in servicer advance facilities.
• Representation of sponsor and servicer in first ever issuance of TALF-Eligible Notes secured by a revolving pool of servicing advance receivables.
• Representation of Ginnie Mae in connection with its Multiclass Securities Program and Mortgage-Backed Securities Program, including the development of the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage-Backed Securities program and the Multifamily Multiclass Securities Program.
• Representation of participants in asset-backed commercial paper programs involving collateral types including trade receivables, commercial mortgage loans and life insurance policy loans.
• Representation of issuers, securities guarantors, servicers, trustees and underwriters in securitization transactions; asset types include commercial and residential mortgages, manufactured housing related receivables and trade receivables.

• Member, Board of Directors, YWCA Richmond, 2016–present
• Member, Board of Trustees, Children’s Museum of Richmond, 2016–present
• Member, Board of Governors, Virginia Bar Association, January 2017-present
• Inaugural Class Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, 2011- 2012
• Former Board Member and Chair, Governance Committee, William Byrd Community House, organization’s mission to transform lives through building self-sufficiency, 2009-2015
• Former Executive Committee Member and ABA Liaison, Young Lawyers Division, Virginia Bar Association, 2007-2011
• Former District Representative, American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (Maryland and Virginia Young Lawyers Division affiliates), 2005- 2007
• Former Board Member, St. Andrew’s School, a tuition-free school for students from families of limited resources, 2002-2008

• Named to Top 40 Under 40, Style Weekly, Class of 2014
• Named among the Most Influential Women in Virginia, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Class of 2011
• Sandra P. Thompson Award, The Virginia Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, 2012
• Selected as a Rising Star for Business & Corporate Law, Virginia Super Lawyers magazine, 2007. A description of the selection methodology can be found on Super Lawyers’ webpage.
• Named a Star of the Quarter, American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, 2006
• Emerson G. Spies Award, The Virginia Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, 2006

• Minority Powerbrokers Q&A: Hunton & Williams’ Rudene Haynes, Law360
• Home Buying for Beginners: Three Important Takes on a Very Important Purchase, Richmond Family Magazine
• Harnessing the Power of Crowdsourced DEI Innovation to Affect Change, The Texas Lawbook
• Making the Grade: Establishing Good Credit, Virginia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and Virginia Law Foundation Publication, Recognized as 1st Place Service to the Public Project by the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division
• How Houston companies can use pandemic challenges to foster innovative corporate inclusion efforts, Innovation Map