Taylor Porter is proud of its annual summer associate program, which hires highly motivated, well-rounded law students to participate in two, six-week sessions. Under the guidance of practicing attorneys, our summer associates gain hands-on experience and interaction that reflect real life as a lawyer. During the first summer session of 2017, Taylor Porter has eight summer associates, and our law firm is proud to profile these students and gain their insight from the Taylor Porter summer associate program. In this article, Taylor Porter is proud to profile LSU Law students Andree Comeaux and Sara Daniel.

Learn more about the Taylor Porter summer associate program

Andree Comeaux, LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Class of 2018

Andree Comeaux will enter her third year at LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, where she is a three-year member of LSU’s Student Bar Association. She previously served as executive secretary and 1L class president, and she will serve as executive treasurer next year. Andree has received a CALI award in legal research and writing, graduated magna cum laude from LSU with a bachelor of science in economics and was a member of the University’s Tiger Twelve Class of 2015. Andree formerly clerked for Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, and also the Baton Rouge Parish Attorney’s Office. She externed for Judge John W. deGravelles at the Middle District of Louisiana. Andree is clerking under the mentorship of Taylor Porter attorneys Tom Easterly and Ne’Shira Millender.

What practice area(s) are you most interested in and why?

I entered this summer wanting to experience work in as many practice areas as possible, and I kept an open mind. While this is still the case, I have enjoyed learning about a few practice areas in particular, including medical malpractice and insurance. Taylor Porter organized and provided opportunities for me to witness various court hearings and depositions, and as a result, litigation has generally been an exciting process to be a part of.

Who are your Taylor Porter attorney mentors, and what have you learned from them about the legal field that will stick with you?

My mentors are Tom Easterly and Ne’Shira Millender. Since I began my first day in the office, they have been a wealth of knowledge and my “go-tos” for advice. I have had opportunities to work with both of them on a variety of summer projects. I received my first project from Tom, and I was encouraged from the start, as I was afforded the respect given to an attorney as opposed to that of just a law student. Ne’Shira helped me see into a typical day of an associate at Taylor Porter and helped me work both efficiently and effectively in my research. My mentors are great because they set high expectations for my work, and they provide true insight into what it means to be an attorney.

How has the Taylor Porter summer law clerk program helped prepare you for becoming a lawyer?

Taylor Porter’s summer clerkship program has given me the chance to see different aspects of what it is like to be an attorney at the firm including the importance of multi-tasking, building relationships with clients and fellow attorneys, and producing great work-product. I now have first-hand experience with these after sitting in on depositions, listening to oral arguments, and speaking with both partners and associates one-on-one and learning about their personal experiences. Taylor Porter has offered a complete open door summer program where everyone is willing to offer guidance. The work this summer has also been fun and challenging, and I appreciate all of the learning opportunities I have been given.

What do you like best about the TP Summer Associate Program?

The best part of the TP Summer Associate Program has been the people. It is a great feeling to be able to collaborate with great attorneys and work together toward common goals. I admire the family atmosphere and the respect that all members of the firm have for one another. It is easy to notice the pride that each attorney and staff member has for the Taylor Porter name. I appreciate the program’s emphasis on relationship building, along with the importance placed on work-product. The firm is built on over 100 years of success for a reason, and it is clear to see how that has been accomplished through the firm’s quality legal work and through Taylor Porter’s continuing commitment to the community. 

Sara Daniel, LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Class of 2019

Sara Daniel will enter her second year at LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, where she is a Paul M. Hebert Scholar. She has received the CALI Excellence Award in Basic Civil Procedure I, and Legal Research & Writing I. Sara graduated cum laude from LSU with her bachelor of arts in business management. Sara is clerking under the mentorship of Taylor Porter attorneys Bob Barton and Clare Sanchez.

What practice area(s) are you most interested in and why?

I graduated from LSU with a degree in business management, so I have always been interested in corporate law. My work at Taylor Porter has also sparked interests in various others areas of the law, and I am excited to continue exploring legal fields and figuring out the area that best suits me.

Who are your Taylor Porter attorney mentors, and what have you learned from them about the legal field that will stick with you?

My mentors are Bob Barton and Clare Sanchez. Bob is a Partner at Taylor Porter and has gone above and beyond to effectuate a great experience for me at Taylor Porter. Bob wasted no time getting me real-world legal experience and has taught me how to effectively and efficiently practice law. The work I’ve done for him has introduced me to areas of the law that I never thought I would be interested in. Clare is a first-year associate at Taylor Porter and has helped facilitate my transition from the classroom to the law firm tremendously. She has shown me what it is like to be a first year associate at Taylor Porter and the value of not limiting yourself to one area of the law. Both Bob and Clare have been readily available to discuss any and all questions I have and have made me feel welcome at Taylor Porter from the beginning. They are both great role models for young lawyers and clerks, and have taught me a great deal about the practice of law.

How has the Taylor Porter summer law clerk program helped prepare you for becoming a lawyer? 

Taylor Porter has given me an opportunity to see the practical side of the legal field. I have been exposed to a number of different areas of the law, and as a 1L, it will be helpful in my classes in the future. I have also learned how to practically manage my time, communicate more effectively, and other day-to-day responsibilities of being an attorney. Taylor Porter firm is a great exemplar of the values of collaboration and teamwork, and the practical experience and hands on work I have done here will help me both as a student and in the practice of law.

What do you like best about the TP Summer Associate Program?

The Taylor Porter Summer Associate Program is the perfect balance of independence and instruction. I liked the daily challenge of dealing with unfamiliar areas of the law, and seeing my work product and research skills improve has felt like a huge accomplishment. I also really enjoyed the sense of teamwork throughout the firm; I developed close relationships with the attorneys and my fellow clerks, and the entire staff helped to make me feel like part of the team.