Michelle D. Brooks | Law Offices of Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson

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As a child, Lafayette native Michelle DeLoach Brooks was inspired to become a lawyer by visiting her grandfather’s law office in New Orleans. She later went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. After, she studied at LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center – where Brooks finished with a Juris Doctorate and bachelor’s in civil law. Following a celebrated career at law firms in Lafayette and Metairie, Michelle moved to Thibodaux after marrying Thibodaux-native and attorney, Beau Brooks.

Michelle Brooks joined the Law Offices of Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson (PHJ) — Thibodaux location — in 2014. With nearly 15 years of practicing law, the experienced and proficient attorney was made partner of the law firm this past January. “It was a sense of accomplishment and I’m very excited…,” said Brooks on being made partner. “I’ve always been a hard worker and determined, so it was a good sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that as long as you work hard, treat people right and make the right connections, you can move up pretty quickly.”


For her hard work and accomplishments, Brooks has been recognized by her peers, winning the 2018 Frank L. Maraist Award and was a 2017 nominee for Louisiana Bar Foundation’s Distinguished Attorney Award. She is affiliated with Lafourche Parish Bar Association, Terrebonne Parish Bar Association, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, and American Bar Association, among other distinguished organizations.

But, for Brooks, it’s more than just making a difference in her field; she is also determined to make a difference here in the Bayou Region. She and her husband founded Upside Downs — the nonprofit organization that helps the local Down syndrome community through new parent support, recreational activities, raising awareness and advocacy. In addition to her work with Upside Downs, Brooks was a member of the Thibodaux Service League for ten years and is a Bayou Country Children’s Museum Charter member.

 


About Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson

PHJ — which specializes in insurance law — was founded in 1928, making it the second oldest firm in the state. Through their over 90 years of practicing, the law firm – that has locations in Thibodaux, New Orleans, Covington and Baton Rouge — has accumulated a strong tradition of dedication, success, professionalism and results.


“We stand out because we are truly considered the only insurance defense firm in Lafourche Parish, and for sure the largest in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish,” Brooks said. “…And just based upon our longstanding history of tradition and us being the second oldest law firm, we represent a lot of well-known and respectful insurance companies, private businesses and grocery stores.”

The Thibodaux location also includes lawyers Michael G. Gee, Marla M. Abel, and Bobby J. Triche. For more information on PHJ visit their website, http://www.phjlaw.com. •