1100 Judson Road, Ste 720, Longview, Texas 75601, United States
We treat you like family.
OUR ATTORNEYS
Matthew C. Harris
Matt grew up in both Houston and Orlando before attending Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where he ran cross-country and served as captain of the cross-country team. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in International Business and a minor in Spanish and spent several weeks studying abroad in Spain. The discipline and perseverance required to succeed as a long-distance runner, along with the broader perspective gained through his studies and travel, continue to influence Matt’s approach to life and the practice of law.
Matt’s practice focuses primarily on representing Emergency Services Districts and advising businesses and organizations throughout East Texas. His clients currently include three Emergency Services Districts in the region. Matt also handles a wide variety of business transactional matters, including business formation, contract development and review, and the development of organizational policies. His background in international business, combined with his attention to detail and practical approach to problem-solving, allows him to help clients develop legal strategies that support both their immediate needs and long-term goals.
After graduating from Rollins College, Matt attended Baylor Law School, where he met Courtney. Following law school, they returned to East Texas to build their law practice and raise their family.
Outside of his legal practice, Matt is most proud of his role as a father. He has spent countless hours over the years coaching and supporting his children in whatever sport or activity they choose to pursue. In 2022, Matt began coaching junior high basketball at Longview Christian School, where he had the opportunity to coach his son and many other outstanding young men. He has continued coaching at LCS, adding junior high golf and track and, in 2025, moving up to coach high school basketball as well as junior high and high school golf. Go Eagles! He will continue in this role for the upcoming school year.
Matt is also actively involved in the Longview community. He currently serves on the Board of First Tee Pineywoods. He previously served as Board President and was one of the founding members of Graciously Broken Ministries in Longview and has also served on the Board of Family Promise of Longview (formerly Longview Interfaith Hospitality Network).
Courtney Anne Harris
Courtney has often been described as a “people person,” a skill she relies on heavily in her practice of law. She has an ability to look beyond the immediate legal dispute, identify the issues actually driving the conflict, and work toward practical solutions. Whether inside or outside the courtroom, Courtney strives to provide her clients with effective, efficient, and economical resolutions to their legal problems.
Courtney’s practice focuses primarily on estate planning, probate and estate administration, guardianship matters, and civil appeals. She handles both routine and complex probate and guardianship proceedings, including contested matters.
Before attending law school, Courtney earned a B.A. in Mathematics, magna cum laude, from the University of North Texas, along with a secondary education teaching certificate. She continues to draw on her background as an educator in her legal practice, particularly in breaking down complex issues and helping clients understand both the law and their options. Courtney also puts her teaching experience to use volunteering at Longview Christian School, where she works with high school mathematics students.
Courtney discovered early in law school that she was at home in the courtroom. During her first year at Baylor Law School, she earned a place in the Order of Barristers. In her third year, she became the first individual winner of Baylor Law School’s prestigious Bob & Sheila Wortham “Mad Dog” Dawson Top Gun Intramural Trial Competition.
Courtney grew up in Lone Star, Texas, and graduated from Daingerfield High School. Never one to stay too far away for too long, she returned to the Piney Woods after graduating from Baylor Law School, where she and her husband, Matt, have raised their family.
Courtney has served on the Board of Longview Christian School since 2021 in the role of Secretary, contributing her time and legal experience to the school and providing pro bono legal assistance when needed. For the 2026–2027 year, she serves as Vice President of Website for the Young Men’s Service League Longview Chapter, part of a national organization of mothers and sons who serve their local communities together.
Courtney previously served on the board of the Greater Longview Estate Planning Council and served as President of the Northeast Texas Bar Association from 2018 through 2021.
WIlliam R. Porter, of counsel
WIlliam R. Porter, of counsel
William R. Porter was born in Morris County, Texas, and once believed he would spend his entire life on Lone Star Lake. In 2022, however, he and his wife, Susan, had the opportunity to move just a few houses away from their grandchildren in Longview. They now spend much of their time enjoying family life, often helping with pick-up and sports duty.
Judge Porter graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1967 and then joined the United States Marine Corps. During his service, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island. After four years of service, including time in Vietnam, he received an honorable discharge and returned to Texas to begin practicing law as what he proudly describes as a “country lawyer.”
In 1981, Judge Porter began his judicial career as the first judge of the 276th Judicial District Court of Texas. He served in that position until retiring from full-time service on December 31, 2010. Since that time, he has continued his judicial education and has served the State of Texas as a Senior Visiting Judge.
In March 2017, Judge Porter joined his daughter and son-in-law as Of Counsel with Harris & Harris, where he has been an invaluable resource and mentor, offering decades of experience and insight into the litigation side of legal 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 shared many adventures over the next three years. They successfully navigated Baylor’s rigorous “Practice Court” program as partners and soon realized they were meant to be partners in life as well. After graduating and passing the Texas Bar Exam, they were married
Matt and Courtney met as first-year law students at Baylor Law School and shared many adventures over the next three years. They successfully navigated Baylor’s rigorous “Practice Court” program as partners and soon realized they were meant to be partners in life as well. After graduating and passing the Texas Bar Exam, they were married just before New Year’s Eve surrounded by family and friends.
Over the years, the Harrises have grown both their legal practice and their family. Today, their most important partnership includes raising 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. Tha
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
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.