Diversity Statement

Taylor Porter values and embraces diversity in the workplace and in the local community. We believe that our tradition of excellence in client service is strengthened by our differences in perspective, talents, and interests as well as socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Our commitment to diversity is fostered through our efforts to recruit, employ, and develop exceptional talent without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. We firmly believe that our inclusive culture encourages collaboration among the members of our firm – which is necessary to achieve superior client outcomes.

Taylor Porter’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We actively encourage a diverse and inclusive firm environment by

  • Actively recruiting and retaining diverse attorneys and staff.
  • Recognizing, respecting, and appreciating the dignity, individual talents, and contributions of our colleagues.
  • Providing equal opportunities for professional and personal growth, including leadership positions.
  • Promoting an inclusive and welcoming culture.
  • Maintaining a collegial, cooperative spirit.
  • Seeking enduring relationships with our clients and with each other.
  • Treating others as we want to be treated.

A strong, growing diversity commitment helps us

  • Better serve our clients – Close and inclusive working relationships among our members place Taylor Porter in a unique position to service our clients’ organizational, demographic, cultural, economic, and social needs.
  • Enrich our community – Our diversity commitment benefits not only Taylor Porter and the legal profession, but also the community in which our attorneys, staff, families, and clients live and work. Our active participation in non-profit and professional organizations helps us advance and promote diversity locally, regionally, and nationally.
  • Position the firm for long-term success – The varied backgrounds and experiences of our attorneys and staff enable our firm to continue to provide exceptional service and creative solutions to our clients. Attracting, recruiting, and retaining diverse members is essential to firm growth and prosperity.

BUILD Community Outreach

The Taylor Porter BUILD (Building Unity, Inclusion, & Legal Diversity) Community Outreach Program provides assistance to community organizations and nonprofits. Taylor Porter launched BUILD in 2017 with the goal of promoting unity and inclusion in the legal profession as well as providing positive and rewarding experiences for our community.  Taylor Porter has partnered with organizations such as Volunteers in Public Schools, Mentorship Academy, White Hills Elementary, Cristo Rey High School, Dialogue on Race Louisiana, Habitat for Humanity, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Baton Rouge.

Our Diverse Leadership

Taylor Porter has assembled a diverse management team.  Charged with the responsibility of developing and implementing our firm’s policies, Taylor Porter’s nine-member Executive Committee includes among its ranks two women. The members of our Executive Committee are elected from all levels of partnership.

  • Practice Team Leaders – Several women lead our practice area groups, including Vicki Crochet, Labor and Employment; Anne Crochet, Energy & Environment; and Barrye Miyagi, Medicare Secondary Payer Compliance.
  • Women Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs – Several women serve in committee chair and vice-chair positions. Our leaders include Partner Barrye Miyagi, Diversity Chair; Partner Vicki Crochet, Executive Committee Vice-Chair, Paralegals Vice-Chair, Personnel Vice-Chair, and Lake Charles Office Vice-Chair; Partner Amy Lambert, Laterals Committee Vice-Chair; Partner Nancy Dougherty, Opinion Review Committee Vice-Chair and Diversity Committee Vice-Chair; Partner Kiki Bergeron, Charitable Contributions Vice-Chair and Contingency Fee Chair; and Partner Robin Toups, Executive Committee Member, Firm Events Chair, and Strategic Planning Vice-Chair.
  • Influential Women in Business and Top 40 Under 40 – Vicki Crochet and Nancy Dougherty have been recognized among the most “Influential Women in Business,” and Katie Goodson, Amy Lambert, and Amy Groves Lowe have been selected among the “Top 40 Under Forty” by the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, in recognition of their professional careers and community contributions.
  • Bar Leadership – Our attorneys remain active in leadership roles in the legal profession. Amy Lambert formerly served as president of the Baton Rouge Bar Association.

Our Emphasis on Diversity Recruiting

The firm focuses its recruiting efforts for lawyers at Southern University Law Center, a historically black institution; Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center; Tulane University Law School; Loyola University New Orleans College of Law; and at minority job fairs. In addition to these recruiting efforts, the firm offers scholarships each semester to outstanding law students. The firm is a past sponsor of the National Conference of Law Reviews hosted by Southern University. These recruitment efforts have resulted in the employment of diverse lawyers of various ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds. 

Our Diversity Outreach and Community Impact

​Whether serving on the boards of directors of non-profit organizations or making contributions to worthwhile causes, Taylor Porter’s attorneys and staff are actively involved in the community. Some examples of these organizations include:

  • 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge – Taylor Porter sponsors or donates to events benefitting this organization devoted to helping African American males assume roles of community leadership, responsibility, and guidance.
  • Volunteers in Public Schools – Retired Partner Deborah Lamb served on the VIPS Board of Directors for many years and currently serves on its advisory panel. Taylor Porter received a Golden Apple award from VIPS for its work at Kenilworth Middle School and was recognized by the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board for its partnerships with Dufrocq Elementary School and Glen Oaks High School through VIPS. In 2023, Taylor Porter was the recipient of the VIPS Outstanding Business Partner of the Year Award. Our attorneys continue to volunteer in public schools.
  • Baton Rouge Bar Association Holiday Star Project – Retired Partner Margaret Tooke received the President’s Award from the Baton Rouge Bar Association for her efforts in the establishment of the BRBA’s Holiday Star program, a tradition that has been continued for many years by Taylor Porter. 
  • Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank – Partner Eddie Hughes formerly served as chairman of the board of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. The Bank supplies food to 156 agencies in the Baton Rouge area, aiding the underserved population.  
  • Baton Rouge Blues Foundation – Partner Anne Crochet helped chair the 2015 Annual Blue Carpet Blues Gala for the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation, a non-profit that promotes, preserves, and celebrates Baton Rouge blues culture. Among other projects, the Foundation sponsors the Baton Rouge Blues Festival.
  • Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra – Partner Blue Loupe serves on the Board of Directors of the BRSO, and Taylor Porter sponsors several BRSO performances throughout the year.  
  • Theatre Baton Rouge – Partner Trey Tumminello serves on the Board of Directors of Theatre Baton Rouge. Partners Amy Lambert and Barrye Miyagi previously served on the Board of Directors of Theatre Baton Rouge. Taylor Porter sponsors several performances throughout the year.  
  • Louisiana State Bar Association Diversity Committee – Taylor Porter is an annual sponsor and participant in the Conclave on Diversity. The Conclave is a statewide event that brings together Louisiana judges and attorneys regarding the importance of diversity within the legal profession. 
  • Dialogue on Race Louisiana – Taylor Porter supports Dialogue on Race Louisiana. The firm has hosted and participated in the Dialogue on Race Louisiana Series. Dialogue on Race Louisiana (DORLA) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the elimination of racism through education, actions, and transformation. The series involves a roundtable dialogue about race led by a DROLA facilitator.