“2019 Summer Law Clerk Feature”: LSU, Southern Students Share What They Learned

August 01, 2019

As part of Taylor Porter's annual summer law clerk program, our Firm hosted seven students collectively from LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center and Southern University Law Center. Under the guidance of practicing Taylor Porter attorneys and mentors, law clerks gain hands-on experience and interaction that reflect real life as a lawyer. The work ranges from case research to legal writing to shadowing attorneys at depositions, hearings, and oral arguments, and speaking with both Taylor Porter partners and associates one-on-one and learning about their personal experiences.

Representing Southern University Law Center are Stacy Porche (3L) and David Bayard (2L); and representing LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center are Anne Boudreaux (2L), Elyce Ieyoub (2L), Andrew Jarreau (2L), Eric Morvant (2L), and Camille Schwaner (2L).

This was the second round of Taylor Porter's summer law clerk program as our Firm previously hosted eight students from five law schools. Both rounds include a six-week program.

We asked our participating summer law clerks to share what they have learned through our summer law clerk program.

Stacy Porche, SULC, 3L
"The Taylor Porter summer law clerk program has helped prepare me for becoming a lawyer by allowing me to do projects that will actually have an impact on clients. I was able to see what it is like being a new associate and how my work makes a difference. My Taylor Porter attorney mentors are Savannah Smith and Kiki Bergeron. I was able to work really close with Savannah and really see what it is like working as a new associate. She was also able to give me a lot of relevant feedback on my work. Kiki showed me how to be a zealous advocate for your client, and what litigation is actually like. "I really like how the Summer Law Clerk program was both equally enjoyable and challenging. During the Summer Program I was able to do work and projects that not only peaked my interest but have helped me to develop as a future attorney."

Stacy made the Dean’s List every semester and is currently ranked fifth in her class. She is a member of the Trial Advocacy Board and competed in the Intra-School Mock Trial Competition. She is also on the Board of Student Advisors and works as a teaching assistant for Contracts and Obligations courses. Stacy is one of the two 2019 Defense Research Institute Diversity Scholarship recipients. Stacy works for the Louisiana Department of Justice in the Gaming Division as a Legal Research Assistant. Originally, from Peoria, Arizona, she received her Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University.

David Bayard, SULC, 2L
"My experience at Taylor Porter has opened my eyes to what being an attorney actually means. I have gotten first-hand experience in seeing every phase of the litigation process and participated in many types of cases, from torts to contracts to property disputes and others. The attorneys incorporate the clerks into the work, and allow us to answer any follow-up questions that may arise from our previous work on a case. As a clerk, you get the chance to see how legal disputes arise, develop, and are solved."

David received his Interdisciplinary Studies degree from LSU and has spent the past seven years teaching history and coaching football at Northwestern State, Catholic High, The Dunham School, Christian Life, and East Iberville. David was mentored by Taylor Porter attorneys Jonathan Moore and Colin Peak.

Anne Boudreaux, LSU 2L
"Having a degree in Accounting, I came into my clerkship with an inclination towards transactional work. However, after working on such a wide variety of projects and being able to sit in on a trial, I am excited to learn more about all kinds of practice areas. My Taylor Porter clerkship allowed me to experience real world projects for real clients with real problems. I learned the importance of efficiency and communication both in my writing and speaking. From the very beginning, my mentor Ne’Shira [Millender] explained to me how valuable working in litigation is to developing skills that are applicable in all that you do as an attorney, and this has encouraged me to continue to keep an open mind as I discover what practice areas I most enjoy. I had the opportunity to sit in on one of Amy [Lambert]’s trials and watch her conduct jury selection where I learned strategic thinking. I appreciated the opportunity to work on real projects that were similar to work that an associate would do."

Anne is both an Hebert and Dean’s scholar. In the fall semester, she participated in the Public Interest Law Society’s Fall Day of Service. Anne grew up in Baton Rouge, and she graduated magna cum laude from LSU with a B.S. in Accounting. 

Elyce Ieyoub, LSU 2L
"I highly enjoyed the wide variety of projects that I had the opportunity to work on during my clerkship, ranging from property to asbestos issues. My time at Taylor Porter has taught me how to work efficiently and thoroughly on multiple projects at once, keeping client care and a good work product at the forefront. I also learned important administrative skills that I wouldn’t have learned in the classroom such as billing time and entering documents into the firm system. My mentors were Barrye Miyagi and Caroline Darwin. It’s hard to put into words the wealth of knowledge that they have shared with me, but two distinct messages stick out in my mind. Caroline taught me the importance of seeing your work through to the very end, from conducting thorough research and making well-supported assertions, down to personally delivering documents to the courthouse. Barrye taught me to work efficiently and purposefully without the fear of making mistakes along with way because mistakes can always be fixed and they often serve as the greatest lessons. Both Barrye and Caroline have not only helped me to become more precise in my research and writing, but also have helped me to see what life is like as a successful female attorney.

Elyce was named a Junior Associate for the Louisiana Law Review, Volume 80. She is a member of the Public Interest Law Society and the LSU Law intramural soccer team. She was on the Fall 2018 Hebert Scholar’s List. Elyce graduated as a University Medalist, summa cum laude, from LSU with a bachelor’s of science degree in Psychology and a minor in History. During the first split of Summer 2019, Elyce was a Judicial Extern for Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay at the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. 

Andrew Jarreau, LSU 2L
"The program provided ample opportunities to learn the practical things about being a lawyer that school can’t teach you. My mentors were Ryan French and John Parker, who were both helpful and made sure I received projects in a variety of practice areas. Ryan taught me the importance of good, careful writing when performing legal writing assignments. John helped me through feedback and advice on my projects, while also helping me to be more efficient in my work. Additionally, both of my mentors taught me that having a sense of humor makes this stressful career more enjoyable. My favorite part of the program was becoming friends with the other clerks as we learned and grew throughout our six weeks here."

Andrew was named a Junior Associate for the Louisiana Law Review, Volume 80. Andrew received his B.S. from Millsaps College, where he was a member of the Millsaps Majors Football Team. Andrew grew up right outside of Baton Rouge in Livonia.

Eric Morvant, LSU 2L
"I had the opportunity to sit in on some very interesting depositions and status conferences, which I could see being a part of my future work life. The clerk program helped show us how what we have learned in the classroom applies in the courtroom and in the office. It helped show us how academia balances with the practical side of the law. Additionally, I have learned how to prioritize my time and juggle various tasks. John Milazzo and John Murrill were my mentors. John Milazzo gauged my practice area interests and funneled work accordingly, which I greatly appreciate. John Murrill, whose practice area includes government contracting and procurement, gave me projects on topics that I had not yet been exposed to. The TP Summer Clerk Program was definitely good exposure to different practice areas and off-site activities. I researched projects on a wide variety of topics, which was both interesting and challenging at the same time. Because of the constant exposure to different topics and being able to attend depositions and meetings, there was never any monotony to the job."

Eric received his undergraduate degree from LSU, where he studied Political Science and Psychology. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity where he served as Vice President and Rush Chairman. He has also obtained his LexisNexis Professional Research Certification. Eric was mentored by Taylor Porter attorneys John Murrill and John Milazzo.

Camille Schwaner, LSU 2L
"The subjects keep you constantly engaged, in addition to often have very unique aspects, such that no case is ever identical to another. Taylor Porter’s program has provided me with real-life experience of what it is like to be an associate. I was constantly given new challenges and encouraged to set the bar high for myself, in addition to learning time management and the importance of communication. My mentors were Dick Easterling and Lauren Hadden. Dick’s practice area of Alcohol and Liquor Licensing was something I have not yet had the opportunity to experience, so I particularly enjoyed gaining hands on experience there. Lauren taught me the importance of a work life balance – friends and family are so vital to your success, especially as a young associate, and having a good laugh during the day makes your work that much more enjoyable! Taylor Porter provides a great balance of high level work product and camaraderie."

Camille is a Paul M. Hebert Scholar and received the CALI Award in Torts  and Civil Law Property.  Camille graduated summa cum laude from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette with a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Camille is a research assistant and tutor for John Church. 

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