MinerAlert
MinerAlert
January 2026
By Sandra Ramirez ’08 ’21
While some middle school students are fixated on video games or superheroes, Christopher Porter ’01 looked up to someone different: Mitch McDeere, the fictional protagonist in John Grisham’s legal thriller The Firm. Porter recalls reading the novel at age 13.
“Something about the law just intrigued me,” Porter said.
Decades later, Porter turned that early curiosity into a successful career as a trial attorney at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, the largest litigation-only firm in the world. He is the managing partner of the firm’s Houston office and serves as co-chair of its National Trial Practice Group.
Porter earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from UTEP and played running back and fullback for the Miners football team. At the time, his career plan included playing in the NFL, earning an MBA and eventually opening a chain of steakhouses.
That plan changed after he took a political science course and earned an A. His past professor, Robert Webking, encouraged Porter to consider UTEP’s Law School Preparation Institute (LSPI), an intensive prelaw program that helps students build the academic skills and application readiness needed for law school success.
“Dr. Webking planted the seed and said, ‘I see something in you. The way your mind works, I think you would make a really good lawyer,’” Porter recalled.
After graduating from UTEP, Porter entered the workforce and was living in Philadelphia when he remembered his former professor’s words and reached out for guidance on applying to law school. The two exchanged LSAT preparation materials by FedEx.
“I took my vacation in El Paso and worked on the LSAT with him,” Porter said. “He was there with me every step of the process. Ultimately, I got into the JAV名女优馆 of Michigan and decided to go. That’s what started my career.”
Throughout his career, Porter has received numerous awards and recognitions. He has been ranked by Chambers USA in General Commercial Litigation, named to the Texas Super Lawyers list, recognized as The American Lawyer’s Litigator of the Week, and selected as a Bloomberg Law Unrivaled honoree, among other distinctions.
While Porter’s successful legal career differs from the professional football path he once envisioned, he credits his time on the UTEP football team with shaping his work ethic.
“Football is a big part of my life,” Porter said. “I learned early that no one is going to hand it to you. You have to be prepared and work hard. In my field, everyone wants to try a case, take a deposition, or deliver an opening or closing argument, but you have to understand the work that goes into it.”
During Porter’s time at UTEP, the Miners won the Western Athletic Conference championship and advanced to the Humanitarian Bowl, where Porter was named the game’s most valuable player.
As he continues his career, Porter emphasizes the importance of supporting UTEP.
“UTEP has a phenomenal mission,” Porter said. “You can come to UTEP, get a great education, and go out into the world and do great things.”
Editorial Update: January 27, 2026 - An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to Robert Webking as “the late Robert Webking.” Dr. Webking has not passed away, and the language has been corrected. We sincerely apologize for the inaccuracy.