1100 Judson Road, Ste 720, Longview, Texas 75601, United States
We treat you like family.
OUR ATTORNEYS
Matthew C. Harris
WIlliam R. Porter, of counsel
Courtney Anne Harris
Matt grew up in both Houston and Orlando before attending Rollins College where he was captain of the cross country team. That same drive required to maintain the long-distance runner lifestyle also bleeds into most areas of Matt's life. He works meticulously to prepare or analyze business contracts or think through different legal strategies.
Matt's primary practice focuses on representing three different Emergency Services Districts in the area, as well as handling business transactional work for several clients.
Graduating as magna cum laude with a degree in International Business and a minor in Spanish, Matt is able to use his knowledge of how businesses transact to advise others in both creating and establishing formation documents and policies to reach goal potential.
Matt prides himself most in his relationship with his children, and is an amazing father, spending countless hours coaching any sport, team or individual, his kids want to learn and grow in. In 2022, Matt began coaching Longview Christian School's junior high basketball team, allowing him to coach both his son and twenty-five other amazing young men. Following a successful first season, Matt has continued coaching at LCS, adding the sports of junior high golf and track to his resume. He will get to work with both of his kids, along with a host of others.
Matt is the past-president of the board and one of the initial founders of Graciously Broken Ministries here in Longview, Texas, as well as a past board member of Family Promise of Longview (formerly LIHN).
Courtney Anne Harris
WIlliam R. Porter, of counsel
Courtney Anne Harris
Courtney has been told that she is a "people person" and she uses that skill the most in her practice of the law. Courtney has the ability to see the real issues causing conflict and seek to resolve those, both in and outside the courtroom, to offer her clients resolution and efficient, economical solutions to their legal problems.
Courtney's primary practice spans estate planning, simple and complex probate matters, simple and complex guardianship matters, and civil appeals.
During her time at Baylor Law, Courtney found that she excelled in the courtroom, earning a spot in the Order of Barristers in her first year and becoming the first individual winner of Baylor Law School's prestigious Bob & Sheila Wortham "Mad Dog" Dawson 'Top Gun' intramural Trial Competition in her third year.
Courtney grew up in Lone Star, Texas, and graduated from Daingerfield High School. Never one to stay too far away for too long, she moved back to the Piney Woods after graduating from Baylor Law School to share the experience of raising a family here with Matt.
In 2021, Courtney became a member of Longview Christian School's board, seeking to contribute to the school as both a parent and lawyer in any way that could be beneficial. Courtney has provided pro-bono legal advice to LCS. Courtney also served on the board of the Greater Longview Estate Planning Counsel for two years.
WIlliam R. Porter, of counsel
WIlliam R. Porter, of counsel
WIlliam R. Porter, of counsel
William R. Porter was born in Morris County, Texas and still resides there today. He graduated from the University of Texas Law School in 1967 and joined the Marine Corps, graduating from the U.S. Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island. After four years and serving in Vietnam, Judge Porter received an honorable discharge and began the practice of law as a "country lawyer".
In 1981, he began his career as a state district judge of the 276th Judicial District of Texas, the first person to hold that position. He retired from full time sitting on December 31, 2010 but has continued to receive judicial education and sit as a Senior visiting judge since that time.
In March of 2017, Judge Porter joined his son-in-law and daughter as 'of Counsel' in their firm, Harris & Harris, and has been an invaluable resource to both as an experienced guide through the litigation side of law practice. An article from the Longview News Journal about Judge Porter's retirement is embedded below:
Our Family
OUR STORY
Matt and Courtney met as first-year law students at Baylor Law School and had many adventures over the next three years. They managed to make it through the rigorous "practice court" program as partners, and determined they were fated to become partners in life as well. Upon graduating and passing the Texas bar exam, they wed right before New Year's Eve in front of many friends and family.
The Harrises have grown both their family and their legal practice over the years to include their family practice, and more importantly, their two children, Colt and Annie.
Growing our Family
Another family member joined us in in 2017 as invaluable resource to the team. We welcomed Courtney's dad, the Honorable William R. Porter as "of Counsel". As a retired district court judge with senior status in Texas, Judge Porter brings many years of experience and offers practical wisdom in matters of litigation and settlement. That is, when he is not playing tennis or driving around his grandchildren!
Offered Services and Experience
Our firm is pleased to offer solutions for a variety of legal needs, including estate planning, probate matters and litigation, guardianship matters, business planning and transactional matters, premarital agreement planning, and legal assistance filing an appeal after your case has been decided, whether you wish to appeal or defend the verdict.
Appellate Practice
List of Appellate Cases
In re M.A.S., No. 06-16-00059-CV (Tex. App. - Texarkana, 2016, no pet).
In re J.W., 615 S.W.3d 453 (Tex. App. - Texarkana - 2020, no. pet.)
In re P.R., 615 S.W.3d 474 (Tex. App. - Texarkana, 2020, pet. denied.)
In re C.A., No. 06-21-00056-CV., (Tex. App. – Texarkana, 2021, pet. denied)
In re P.H., No. 06-21-00060-CV (Tex. App. – Texarkana, 2021, no pet.).
In re Rushing, 644 S.W.3d 383 (Tex. App. -- Tyler, 2022, pet. denied)
IMMO Thomas, 05-22-00137-CV (Tex. App. -- Dallas, pending)
In re C.M.B.H., 06-23-00085-CV (Tex. App. - Texarkana, 2023)