Taylor Porter is proud of its annual law clerk associate program, which hires highly motivated, well-rounded law students to participate in six-week sessions. Under the guidance of practicing attorneys, our law clerk associates gain hands-on experience and interaction that reflect real life as a lawyer. Our law firm is proud to profile these students and gain their insight from the Taylor Porter associate program. In this article, Taylor Porter is proud to profile Southern University Law Center students Samantha Kincaid and Rachel Young.

Learn more about the Taylor Porter Law Clerk Associate Program

Samantha Kincaid, Southern University Law Center, Class of 2017

Samantha Kincaid is in her third year at the Southern University Law Center, where she is on the Chancellor's List. During the summer of 2014, Samantha won her first trial, representing a child in a custody battle. She received the CALI Excellence Award for the highest grade in Torts II, and is the Treasurer for Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and the Secretary of the SULC Tax Law Society. Samantha has completed her basic and advanced VITA training and has prepared federal income tax returns as a volunteer for VITA. She also has obtained her Westlaw Research Certification and her LexisNexis Professional Research Certification. Samantha has been a teaching assistant for the subjects of contracts, torts, basic civil procedure, and also legal writing. In her free time, Samantha enjoys doing volunteer work. She has completed more than 100 hours interning in the Civil Pro Bono Department of the Baton Rouge Bar Foundation. Before graduating summa cum laude with a B.S. in Psychology from Southern University, Samantha competed in two national conferences for her research in holistic medicine, conducted a social psychology research study, performed research at LSU under its Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, and interned for Baton Rouge Councilwoman Tara Wicker. Samantha is clerking under the mentorship of Taylor Porter Partner and Executive Committee Member Preston Castille.

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

Thanks to Taylor Porter, I have been exposed to a wide range of practice areas. Prior to my experience at Taylor Porter, I may have been inclined to particular practice areas. Now that I have had the opportunity to participate in a dynamic and diverse law practice, there are many more areas of practice that I could envision myself undertaking in the future.

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

The clerkship has been a tremendous learning experience for me. I was tasked with various projects that called on my writing skills and challenged me to research and analyze complex problems. The time at Taylor Porter has provided me the opportunity to hone in even further on my writing, research, and analytical skills, enabling me to be a better practitioner for our clients.

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

Fortunately, my time has been split amongst several attorneys at Taylor Porter that I will be proud to one day call my colleagues in this profession. They have influenced me in several different ways. My assigned mentor was Preston Castille, who has encouraged me to be more assertive and reinforced the concept that an underdog is capable of greatness. The work with Skip Philips (Managing Partner) taught me the importance of book research and not neglecting this skill as online research is not always comprehensive. Adam Thames (Partner) instilled in me the importance of providing great work without falling into the trap of comparing myself to others. Katia Bowman (Partner) inspired me to think outside of the box in order to build some of the best defenses. To my benefit, Amy Lambert (Partner) taught me to ask for help when I need it. Cindy Amedee (Partner) reinforced the concept of remaining a “life-long learner,” and that the best attorneys never cease learning and improving their skills.

What do you like best about the TP Fall Law Clerk Associate Program?

The professionals at Taylor Porter graciously took me in as if I were one of their associates. This gave me a chance to be a part of, what I believe to be, a realistic associate program. This program has given me confidence in the skills that I have acquired, and I am excited to enter a profession comprised of such passionate and knowledgeable individuals.  

Rachel Young, Southern University Law Center, Class of 2018

Rachel Young is in her second year at the Southern University Law Center. She has received the CALI Excellence Awards for highest grade in Obligations and Legal Research. She also has obtained her LexisNexis Professional Research Certification. During the summer 2016 semester, Rachel was a judicial extern for Justice Marcus R. Clark at the Louisiana Supreme Court. She also served as a research assistant for a special legislative drafting project initiated by the United States Track and Field Association. Prior to law school, Rachel received a scholarship for placing first in Spanish in a statewide literary competition. Rachel also was a member of the Brigham Young University Latin Ballroom tour team. Rachel interned at Women's Health Magazine in New York City in 2010, and she authored a fitness article for Vox Magazine shortly thereafter. In her free time, Rachel enjoys dancing and fitness, learning new languages, and spending time with her one-year-old daughter Chelsse. Rachel is clerking under the mentorship of Taylor Porter Partner and Diversity Committee Chair Katia Bowman.

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

While I am still developing my interests in the various practice areas, I am very interested in learning more about trademark and patent law. I want to be involved in an area of the law that continues to grow and evolve as new developments in science and technology emerge in business.

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

The Taylor Porter fall law clerk program has helped prepare me to become a lawyer because I have been able to gain valuable mentorship from some of the brightest lawyers in the field. Because the associates at Taylor Porter understand the importance of our development as law clerks, they are happy to provide meaningful feedback and insights, while instilling confidence in our own process.

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

My Taylor Porter attorney mentor is Katia Bowman. She has taught me that success in the legal world is multidimensional in that developing professionalism and camaraderie are just as important as honing excellent lawyering skills.

What do you like best about the TP Fall Law Clerk Associate Program?

The Taylor Porter fall clerk program is great because there are so many opportunities to gain exposure to a variety of legal issues under the guided watch of great mentors. The attorneys here genuinely care about your success. Taylor Porter’s overall approach as a law firm fosters a great work environment that allows you to do your best work.