Heidi Thompson

LSU Law Center

BRBA: Tell us about your education. 
LSU!!  I earned a J.D. and B.S. in Accounting.  I knew LSU had an incredible law school.  But I briefly considered going to Wake Forest because I still had too many friends in undergrad who would try to keep me from studying.  Then, my parents sealed the deal when they said, “You stay, we pay; you go, you borrow.”  The rest is history.

BRBA: Where are you from?
Chalmette, Louisiana (That’s St. Bernard Parish dawlin’!)

BRBA: Where and what type of law do you practice?
I teach legal writing and analysis at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center.

BRBA: Why did you want to become an attorney?
I’m a classic case of the kid-who-loved-to-argue becoming an attorney.  Of course, it was a lot easier to argue when you didn’t have to worry about whether the law supports the argument.  I still enjoy arguing; it’s just more challenging now as a lawyer when those facts and law get in the way at times.  

BRBA: If you were not practicing law, what would be your alternate profession? 
The obvious answer is what I’ve been doing for the last 20 years—teaching law.  But, if I were to change careers, I would want to work with college athletics.  Maybe I could keep the officiating on the right path by explaining how appellate standards of review are supposed to work.  Although, I must say that the officials this past weekend in the LSU-Alabama game got most of it right when it came to the reviewing phase of the game.  Fortunately, the on-the-field ruling that Moss was pushed out of bounds was non-reviewable, as I’m not sure I trusted the reviewing officials to let that part stand (as they should have) had it been reviewable.

BRBA: What is one thing you wish you would have known before you went to law school?
I can’t think of anything.  I really have no regrets from law school; I met some great people, learned a lot, and had a great time in the process.  Having had sufficient fun in undergrad, I promised myself that I would put school first and schedule the fun around law school.  I didn’t really know about the intense competition common to law school.  So, my goal was a self-imposed one to do my best and have no regrets that would leave me wondering “what if.” 

BRBA: Are you involved with the BRBA? If so, how?
Yes.  I’ve been a member of the Holiday Star Committee for longer than I can remember.  It’s such an awesome program, letting so many of us do small gestures that positively impact so many who need the acts of kindness and love.

BRBA: What motivated you to become involved with the BRBA?
I believe in trying to support the organizations that support our profession.  The firms where I worked before and during law school (Rubin, Curry, Colvin, & Joseph and Shows, Cohn, & Cali) participated in the BRBA’s sporting events, which is likely where I acquired my desire to get involved once I became an attorney. 

BRBA: What is your favorite BRBA activity or event?
While I haven’t played in years, I love the softball tournament.

BRBA: Are you involved with any other organizations or causes? 
Yes.  I’m active in various ministries at St. Aloysius Catholic Church and the school. I also try to participate in some Delta Gamma Alum events.  For a short while, I refereed soccer games, but having an attorney mind does not mesh well with making calls on a soccer field.  Many of the rules are subject to interpretation, and the calls need to be made swiftly—leaving no time for debating all the facts. 

BRBA: What is the best piece of advice you have received?
You can’t control everything.  Just lead by example and things will fall into place if you do your part. 

BRBA: What are your leisure activities?
I love having my husband and four children home together and doing anything with them.  It seems like I blinked and they scattered (even though two of the four aren’t even in college yet).  I also enjoy playing tennis, reading, watching sports (especially when LSU is involved), dancing, and playing soccer—provided I’m surrounded by younger faster players on my team to cover my mistakes.

BRBA: What is the last book that you read?
"Rebecca." 

BRBA: Tell us something interesting about yourself.
 I was one of three LSU Cheerleaders who were on the 1989 National Championship squad and then went to LSU Law together.  The other two were Christine Simoneaux and Hiko Myagi.