Sarah Morton, a University of Houston Law Center alumna, recently established the Houston office for FordHarrison LLP, a national Iabor and employment defense boutique firm with 27 offices nationwide. During her time at the UH Law Center, Morton discovered her passion for trial law and her area of legal expertise. “I graduated from UHLC knowing that I wanted to practice labor and employment law,” Morton said. “While interning with Judge Gray Miller in federal court, I worked on a labor and employment case and helped draft an opinion and I just fell in love with it.”She later gained extensive experience at Littler Mendelson and Morgan Lewis before moving to FordHarrison. The move was client-driven, with one of her largest clients at Morgan Lewis prompting the transition. When the client decided to transition their legal work for business reasons, they noted their existing relationship with FordHarrison in other states and the firm's plans to open a Houston office. They connected Morton with FordHarrison’s managing partner, Al McKenna.“It all came together perfectly—FordHarrison got their Houston office, the client maintained continuity in their legal representation, and I had the opportunity to lead and build something new,” Morton said. “It was truly a win-win-win.”
Alumni Spotlight Q&A: Sarah Morton (J.D. '08)
What motivated you to take the leap from Morgan Lewis to establish FordHarrison’s presence in Houston?
SM: The most exciting aspect was the challenge and the opportunity to build office culture from the ground up. I’ve had the experience of working in places with both great and not-so-great office cultures, so the idea of creating something positive and intentional really appealed to me. What excited me most was the ability to handpick the people I want to work with — people I genuinely enjoy practicing law with and who share my values. I wanted to create an environment where we could all thrive, and I hope this opportunity fosters a positive experience for everyone who joins our firm.
How does it feel to bring a national firm like FordHarrison into Houston’s dynamic legal market?
SM: It’s very exciting but also very challenging. Houston has a lot of labor and employment work, which makes it a great place to be. The challenge comes from the fact that FordHarrison isn’t yet well-known in the legal community here. But I’m determined to change that. My goal is to build the firm’s brand and raise awareness about the incredible resources and talented attorneys we have, not just in Houston but across other cities as well.
When and why did you decide to pursue a law degree?
SM: As an English major, I was trying to figure out what to do with my degree. I considered pursuing a master’s and Ph.D. to teach, but in the end, I felt a law degree offered more opportunities. So, I took the LSAT, applied to several schools, and ultimately chose the University of Houston Law Center.
Why did you choose the University of Houston Law Center?
SM: I really liked Houston and everything the city had to offer. I’m originally from Iowa, but I’ve spent most of my life in Texas. My family moved here when I was a kid, and I graduated from Deer Park High School, so I was already familiar with the city. Moving back from Austin to Houston appealed to me because I wanted to be in a larger city. Houston has three great law schools, but I believe UHLC was the best choice. I was drawn to UHLC’s strong reputation and advocacy program.
How did the university’s resources or environment contribute to your success?
SM: The advocacy program is where I found my niche and truly thrived. It’s also where I met my closest friends, many of whom have remained a part of my life long after graduation. Some of my deepest connections from law school came from that program.I was a three-year member of the mock trial team and participated in all the intramural competitions. I was also on the Board of Advocates, where we helped organize those competitions for other students.
The mock trial program provided the practical application of everything we were learning in law school. It taught me how to distill complicated facts into a compelling story for a jury and gave me a deep understanding of the rules of evidence, something that has been immensely valuable in my legal career.
Initially, I considered transactional law, which is funny in hindsight because it’s completely not me. I was meant to be in the courtroom, and once I got that experience, I knew trial work was where I belonged. It’s the best and most exciting part of being a lawyer, and looking back, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Were there any specific professors or mentors who had a significant impact on your education or career?
SM: My favorite professor was Jim Perdue, an adjunct professor and famous trial lawyer in Houston. I was in the inaugural class of his Storytelling course, a 12-student seminar focused on presenting cases to juries in the most effective way possible. It was fascinating to learn from someone with his level of experience and gravitas. From the very first day, we were all completely engrossed in the stories he told.
However, the people who had the biggest impact on my career were my mock trial coaches — Jackie Houlette, Julie Gray, and Ed and Stephanie Sullivan. They taught me the rules of evidence, how to be persuasive, and how to tell a compelling story to a jury. Their guidance was immensely helpful in shaping my career and leading me to where I am today.
How has the UHLC alumni network or community supported you in your career journey?
SM: The law school community has been incredibly supportive. For example, at the grand opening reception of our FordHarrison Houston office, we had around 30 UHLC alumni show up, along with Dean Tennessee, which was amazing. Seeing connections from law school remain strong across different graduating classes was really special.
My husband and I both attended UHLC, and in fact, we met on the first day of law school, right before mock trial practice in the commons. We were both three-year members of the mock trial team, and our friend group from mock trial became incredibly close. We spent so much time together—practicing after class, meeting on weekends, traveling for tournaments—that we formed lifelong friendships. My husband and I often talk about how those years were some of the best days of our lives, largely because of the friendships we built through that program.
What advice would you give to UHLC students aspiring to establish themselves as leaders in the legal field?
SM: I would advise students to find something they are truly passionate about. Once you find that passion, immerse yourself in it. That’s where you’ll build lasting friendships with others who share your interests. It’s easier to build a strong network when you have a shared passion. The relationships you develop in law school will be the most valuable throughout your career. These are the people you’ll refer business to, and who will refer business to you. They’ll be the ones you can call for advice on issues outside your expertise. The earlier you build that network in law school, the more successful you’ll be in the future.
Original source can be found here.