Haley Porter

Baton Rouge General

BRBA: Tell us about your education. 
I earned my Bachelors of Art in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations in 2010 from Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS.  I went to law school at Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, MS, and graduated in 2013.

BRBA: Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Natchez, Mississippi.

BRBA: Where and what type of law do you practice? 
I am a Staff Attorney at Baton Rouge General Medical Center. Most of my work revolves around drafting, negotiating, and managing various contracts within the General Health System.
I am also licensed in Mississippi where I provide legal guidance and counseling to a few small businesses.

BRBA: Why did you want to become an attorney? 
Honestly, I just like to explain things to people.

BRBA: If you were not practicing law, what would be your alternate profession? 
If I wasn’t practicing law, I would hope to still be in the healthcare field. I have always taken interest in healthcare, not only on the clinical side, but also the rules and regulations. In college, I worked at a doctor’s office as an assistant to the office administrator where I learned about the ends and outs of the non-clinical side of practicing medicine. Later, I worked for an in-house attorney at a health clinic and knew that was the direction I wanted to go.

BRBA: What is one thing you wish you would have known before you went to law school?
I have been asked this question so many time and have so many answers, but I will say that I wish someone would have told me that no matter how hard it gets, you will survive. However many times you want to give up, don’t. You will make it. Every small thing seems like the end of the world, but law school is just as much about how you can handle situations as it is about reading, writing, studying, etc.

BRBA: Are you involved with the BRBA? If so, how?
Yes, I have recently joined the Bench Bar Conference Social Committee after attending Bench Bar Conference for the first time last year and realizing how important it is to develop connections with fellow bar members. Last year, I meet so many new faces and made tons of memories.
I also served on the BRBA’s 90^th Anniversary Celebration Committee.

BRBA: What motivated you to become involved with the BRBA?
When I first met fellow bar member, Hayden Moore, a few years ago, I quickly learned about her involvement with the Bar Association and knew I also wanted to get involved.  I asked for her guidance in getting started and Hayden “asked” (forced) me to join the BRBA’s 90^th Anniversary Committee, shortly followed by joining the Bench Bar Social Committee.

BRBA: What is your favorite BRBA activity or event?
So far, I have enjoyed Bench Bar Conference the most, closely followed by Belly-Up with the Bar (2^nd place winner!) and the Holiday Star Project. I really look forward to Holiday Star each year, as it warms my heart to be able to provide Christmas to a child who might otherwise not receive gifts.

BRBA: Are you involved with any other organizations or causes? 
Yes, other than the BRBA, I am volunteer with Club Blue-Boys and Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge, and have also volunteered with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

BRBA: What is the best piece of advice you have received?
My dad has always said, “If you are going to do something, do it right the first time.” Whether it was a math problem or a cheerleading try out, my dad would always say these words.  I continue to live by these words every day, not only in my practice of law, but in my everyday activities.

BRBA: What are your leisure activities?
I enjoy spending time with family and attending LSU sporting events. I also enjoy running and exercising, attending festivals, live music, and cooking.

BRBA: What is the last book that you read?
Well, I can’t say the entire name of it, but the last book I read is titled “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***” by Mark Manson. And if you haven’t read it, you should. It has some excellent advice on self-awareness and how to deal with life’s challenges.

BRBA: Tell us something interesting about yourself.
Well, I lived almost every law student’s worst nightmare. My cell phone not only rang on the first day of class, it rang during the lecture of the professor that everyone warned you about before you ever started school. Yes, she asked me to leave class. Yes, I cried for hours and was humiliated. I finally got the courage up and went to her office to apologize and she actually laughed. It was traumatizing at the time, but she never forgot who I was after that and I learned that not all professors are as scary as they’re made out to be!